Learning the basics

Organisation:

• Each player has a ball if possible; if not, share a ball between pairs or small groups
• Let the players experiment with different ways to catch and handle the ball
• Encourage the players to jump and catch the ball at the highest possible point
• Challenge the players not to drop the ball at any time
• Put the players in pairs or groups and get them to challenge each other (e.g. by throwing the ball faster/higher, or trying to catch one-handed)
• Provide constructive feedback to the players throughout the game

Ways to make the exercise easier

• The players can start with small throws and practise catching the ball with both hands

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Encourage the players to throw faster, harder and higher
• Make a competition, e.g. which player/pair can complete the most catches or is quickest to complete a certain number of catches

Great questions to ask the players

• Can you show me the different ways that goalkeepers might catch a ball?
• Who can show me a great position for your hands when you catch the ball?
• Can you jump high and catch at the same time?

Safety tips

• Make sure the players have space to practise in, so there are no collisions
• Make sure the pitch is clear of any dangerous objects

Organisation:

• Split the group into two equal teams: one team are strikers, the other are fielders
• Play the game like cricket or baseball
• A “bowler” throws/kicks the ball at a striker, who tries to strike it and score runs
• The strikers can strike the balls in different ways and make runs with or without a ball
• The striking team is out after three catches, or the teams swap after five minutes
• The team with the most runs or catches at the end is the winner
• Provide constructive feedback to the players throughout the game. Encourage the players to provide constructive feedback to each other

Ways to make the exercise easier

• The bowler has to serve the ball along the ground

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Allow the bowler  to serve the ball in the air or make it bounce
• The strikers have to dribble a ball while making runs

Great questions to ask the players

• Can you identify gaps between the fielders to hit the ball into?
• What is the risk if you try to kick the ball out of the field for more points?
• How can you work as a team when you are fielding?

Safety tips

• Make sure the bowlers serve the ball sensibly
• Make sure the fielders watch the ball carefully

Organisation:

• Organise mini-matches of 3v3, with one extra floating player on each pitch
• This player always plays for the team that has the ball, creating a 4v3 in possession
• Ask the teams to try to make use of the floater when possible
• Rotate the floater, so all the players get a turn
• Provide constructive feedback to the players throughout the game. Encourage the players to provide constructive feedback to each other

Ways to make the exercise easier

• Use the stronger players as the floaters
• Nobody is allowed to tackle the floater (but the floater can’t score)

Ways to make the exercise harder

• A team has to use the floater before it can score
• Only the floater can score
• The floater has a limited number of touches

Great questions to ask the players

• Can you try to pass to the floater?
• If the floater is not open, can you make the most of the 4v3 advantage to pass to the player who is unmarked?
• As a defending team with fewer players, what should you try to do?

Safety tips

• Rotate the floater
• Create safe areas between the mini-pitches