Pre-season handling booster

A session ideal for pre-season or in-season if you need to reconnect your players with their handling and pace onto the ball. Accurate passing is essential to maintain a flowing attacking move capable of exploiting mismatches and space. Look at the detail as well as the outcomes.

TECHNIQUE

1. The receiver only puts their hands out when the ball is passed
2. The passer aims in front of the runner to draw them onto the pass

ACTIVITY 1

1. The first player in the line jogs onto a pass then releases the ball after the cones
2. A feeder pops the ball to the first player
3. The receiver sprints off, timing their run based on the first players

ACTIVITY 2

1. A ball carrier sprints through the box and passes once outside
2. The defender decides whether to for the passer or the receiver, but only once they have left their box
3. The next receiver aims to beat the defender should they cover across

HOW TO

Activity 1

• Put two columns of players about 5m apart (adjust this according to the skill level). One column will the catch-and-pass group and they will start about 2m ahead of catch column.
• Have the first catch-and-pass jog forward. Once they reach level with a feeder, they receive a ball and then pass it for the next player.
• The catch column’s first player has to sprint forward, so holds their run before setting off.
• The feeder joins the first column, the passer the next and the catcher becomes a feeder. You should have a couple of feeders ready.

Activity 2

• Have the ball carrier race forward and pass only when they are out of the box in front of them.
• Have a defender race forward also, aiming to touch the ball carrier or slide off and touch the receiver.
• The receiver should sprint onto the pass, so the defender has no chance of catching them.
• The original ball carrier can dummy if they think the defender is moving over too quickly.

TECHNIQUE

• Pass in front of the receiver.
• The receiver should reach for the ball only when it’s passed.