Loosen up the body and raise body temperature in preparation for more strenuous activity. Passing with particular focus on a pass that travels behind the body.
Set up
# of players : 3-12 players
Ideal : 3 players
Equipment : 1+ ball for every 3 athletes
Average duration : 5-15 minutes
Description
- Athlete 1 either passes or sets the ball to athlete 2 who forearm passes the ball behind themselves to athletes 3.
- Athletes 3 then either sets or passes the ball over the head of athlete 2 for the drill to continue.
- As athlete 2 plays they ball they should practice moving forward through the ball giving the ball spin.
Evaluation : # of reps (ex. 10x) or # of time (ex. 4 min ) or # of consecutive good passes (ex. 5).
Variations
- Switch athletes
Progression
- Athlete 1 can intentionally pass the ball to either side of athlete 2 making an accurate pass behind more difficult.
Key points
- It is important that athlete 2 focuses on making sure that their arms are parallel with the target behind them – this way they only have to pass their arms ‘through the ball’ and their pass is likely to be more accurate.
- Athlete 2 needs to keep in mind that they are passing the ball with backspin.
- Athlete 2 needs to be in the athletic position so that they can move quickly to pass a ball that is not ideal.
- The arms of athlete 2 need to be parallel with the target on contact with the ball and move ‘sand to sky’.