CARRYING THE BALL WITH VISION, MANIPULATING DEFENDERS
PLAYERS
3+
SPACE
20m x 20m
EQUIPMENT
5+ BALLS, 10+ CONES
EXPLANATION:
X1 carries ball straight down the middle of the channel.
Using limited touches, she pushes the ball directly forward (along the dotted line in the diagram).
As the ball moves forward, X1 moves feet, stick and body around the ball, to Left and Right sides. X1 changes stick and body position to be able to pass to either side.
Ball is kept moving forward with as few touches as possible, directly down the central line with as few touch as feet move around the ball.
As X1 approaches the end of the grid, she passes to X2’s open stick. X1 follows pass to wait at X2’s initial starting point.
X2 receives and tracks with the ball in opposite direction, following same skill instruction.
COACHING POINTS:
With limited touches on the ball to keep momentum, the ball carrier can keep her eyes up most of the time, surveying the field ahead to find open passes. The fewer touches on the ball (to keep it moving), the better for this purpose of vision.
Moving feet/body around the ball as it moves is effective, because it can shift defenders’ positioning in the game. So fakes/feints (ball carrier looking like she is going to release a pass) are important.
Although the ball carrier is moving around the ball, it is still important to keep the ball close to the stick. This will give the opportunity to protect the ball if a defender reaches in.
EVALUATION:
Player should be comfortable keeping the speed of play high. This involves the ball carrier moving fluidly around the ball.
Players will learn to play ball on both sides of the body and keep it moving forward.
The 2 key points for players to take from this drill are getting comfortable moving BODY around BALL (not just moving the ball with eyes down), and MANIPULATING DEFENDERS with ball/body position.
