Sparta 300: Touch & run and kick backs

Handling enhanced training with balls arriving in the player's hands from different directions, angles and speeds. Touch & run develops catching at angle on the move; kick backs develops tests the catcher's reaction a quicker, more random return pass. Aim to get up to 30 touches in a minute of each activity.

TOUCH AND RUN

1. Get a player to touch the ball with his right hand.
2. The ball carrier throws the ball over the other player’s shoulder.
3. They run back to catch, pass back and get into position.
4. They then touch the ball with their other hand and the ball is thrown again.

KICK BACKS

1. A ball carrier stands 2-4m away from the kicker. Get the kicker to stand on one leg and the ball carrier throws the ball to the kicker’s foot off the ground.
2. The kicker aims to kick the ball back to the other player.
3. Swap feet after every go.

FOR EACH ACTIVITY

• Work in pairs. One player acts as feeder and the other as receiver. After 30 seconds, swap roles and repeat for 30 seconds.
• Continue for 2 minutes. Rest for 1 minute between activities.
• Set a target for how many you can achieve in 30 seconds.

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FROM KEITH HOLIFIELD, FORMER OSPREYS SKILLS AND CONDITIONING COACH

I want my players to touch the ball as many times as possible in preseason training.

The Sparta 10-activity programme works towards them handling the ball at least 300 times in 30 minutes. It is an intense session, with lots of exercises you can repeat over the season to keep players switched on to the many different types of handling they are likely to use. It doesn’t matter in which order the drills are performed as they are all physically and mentally demanding if performed at the right intensity.

I recommend that you demonstrate the activity first, then the players have a low intensity go in their pairs. This can act as part of the warm up, which means that when the session starts there is less explaining to do and the session flows.

The key to the session is the intensity – anticipation, quick reaction, high speed. The feeder plays a big role in making sure that the receiving player works hard.

Once the drills have been learned, a greater emphasis can be put on reps and competition between pairs and players. With the right conditions, intensity and competitiveness results will come.

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