Ball mastery and combination play

Organisation

• Use a large space if possible, so players have room to try new things.
• Every player has a ball if possible; if not, play with half the group first, with the other observing and encouraging, and then swap halfway through.
• Make sure that all players get a turn to practise with a ball.
• Let the players decide what each colour cone means.

Ways to make the exercise easier

• The players can walk with the ball to begin with.

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Limit the free space available, so that players have to work harder to find free space or avoid others.
• Introduce more actions or interference.

Great questions to ask the players

• Can you show me your different tricks or skills on the ball?
• Can you show me different ways to trap the ball?
• Were there any tricks that other players demonstrated that impressed you?

Safety tips

• Players to keep their heads up as much as possible to avoid collisions.

Organisation

• Use a large space if possible.
• You can use three equal teams of any number and position receivers around the pitch.
• Make sure the receivers are always on their toes and ready to receive the ball.
• Rotate the receivers after a few minutes or a points target is reached by the winners.

Ways to make the exercise easier

• Let the players decide how to pass and move between themselves and get the ball to a receiver.
• You can move a receiver into the middle of the pitch.

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Set a minimum number of passes before the ball can be played to a receiver
• Reduce the number of receivers.

Great questions to ask the players

• Can you show me ways to pass the ball between you?
• How do you know when a receiver is ready to receive the ball?

Safety tips

• Create a safe zone between each pitch.

Organisation

• Make two teams of equal numbers.
• Use a big pitch if possible, with end zones to receive the ball.
• Encourage players to be creative when receiving in the end zone.

Ways to make the exercise easier

• Players can start by running the ball into end zone and touching down the ball or making an imaginary save of the ball.
• One team can have extra players.

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Limit the number of touches players can have on the ball.
• One team has fewer players.
• Condition the type of pass into the end zone – in the air, on the floor etc.

Great questions to ask the players

• How can you find space to receive a pass as a team? Show me.
• How can you be creative to pass into the end zone? Show me.

Safety tips

• Play the game on a soft surface (not concrete).
• Only the receiving player should be able to enter the end zone, so he/she "saves" in an empty space.