Bust a myth to improve handling and running

A common myth suggests that a receiver should put their hands out towards the passer to receive the ball.

There is a good reason for this. By putting out their hands towards the passer, it allows the receiver to take the ball early and quickly pass to the next player. It also provides a target for the passer.

So why is this a myth?

Very rarely do players need to take and give a pass in one movement.

It is still a useful skill but happens only in tight passing channels, which means a short pass in the first place. Therefore, it won’t make much difference if the player does or does not reach for the ball.

The target for the passer is either in front of, or directly at, their team-mate. If it’s in front of them, the passer is not looking at the receiver’s hands at all.

You also cannot run efficiently with your hands out to the side. If you watch any clips of players running on to a pass, they don’t put their hands out to the side at any stage. They take the ball in front of them.

If a player is planning to take the ball in a static position, reaching for the ball is a good idea. But these occasions happen very rarely. 

Some 10s take the ball standing still, as might a player who is setting up a maul from a static position at the side of a ruck, or a player standing in-field from a long pass after a long kick.