Improve communication for better support play

Clear, concise and accurate communication is a vital element in support play. Help your players establish language they should be using in games.

Better players identify the language that will help their teammates know where they are and when they want the ball. The language acts as a trigger to tell players when to move, pass or present.

Warm up

1. Allocate one ball to every other player.
2. Have the players run around and have the ball carrier roll the ball along the ground when you shout “down”.
3. Players call “My pick” and then scoop up the balls.
4. Give the whole group three seconds to pick up the balls cleanly.

Exercise

1. Set up one ruck-pad holder in front of one box as in the middle picture and the another in between the other two.
2. Have a ball carrier run into the side box and pass the ball before the ruck pad holder makes contact with him.
3. Have the other ruck-pad holder run into one of the other two boxes.
4. The support player has to run to the space and shout when and where he wants the ball. (Wide or short).

1. Develop by setting up the ruck-pad holders as above.
2. Add in another support player.
3. Now the support players have to shout left or right.

TECHNIQUE

• Be clear in what is wanted – like “short”, “wide”, “my pick”.
• Call early to give the ball carrier a chance to adjust.