Become the perfect decoy

A strike runner often makes his break because a decoy runner has drawn the defender. Decoy runners need to be credible and available to receive the pass. This session works on developing moves using decoy runners.

Warm up time: 7-10
Session time: 10-12
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 10-15
Warm down time: 7-10

What to think about

Decoy players must look as though they may receive the ball. To achieve this, tell the players they are all decoys and all strike runners. The first receiver chooses who to give the ball to.

set-up

1. Move the ball to the strike player as quickly as possible while moving forward at pace. Start as simply as possible then increase levels of difficulty (see picture 1).
2. Run at angles to create space for the receiver.
3. Look as though you are going to get the ball.
4. Everyone call for the ball apart from the strike player.

What you get your players to do

Work in groups of six or seven in a20m square. Players start in a normal attacking alignment. Nominate one or two different spaces to attack (see picture 2). As the 10 moves with the ball, all the players move. Only one player becomes the strike runner and so after being decoys, players must change their role and support. In picture 2, 15 is the strike player, with 11, 12 and 13 all decoys. 14 is the immediate support player.