The evasion hot box

WHY USE IT

Improve players’ footwork and ability to evade contact. The ‘hot box’ means they will need to use their peripheral vision and ability to see where defenders are.

SET UP

A 10m square, then a 15m square with a 3m square in the middle.

HOW TO PLAY

Warm-up: An even number of players start on each side of the 10m square and jog across it. When they reach the opposite side, they turn and jog back. They continue shuttling back and forth, trying to avoid contact. Gradually increase the speed they run at, until they are at a full-speed sprint.

Activity: Move into the 15m square and start with even numbers on each corner. Two defenders start in the middle 3m square and can’t leave it. The front player at each corner starts with a ball. They have to run to the opposite corner, through the middle square with both feet inside, without being touched by a defender. If they make it, they get a point. If they get touched, they don’t.

Development: If an attacker reaches the ‘hot box’, they pass to a team-mate, who also goes into it. Get the players to keep their own individual scores.

COACHING POINTS

• Be light on the feet.
• Keep the head up.
• Keep moving.

WARM UP

1. Players start jogging slowly across the square, avoiding contact and gradually increasing their speed as you direct them
2. By the end, they should be sprinting across the square as fast as they can

ACTIVITY

1. The ball carrier tries to get two feet into the 3m square without being touched
2. Encourage the attackers to keep looking up

DEVELOPMENT

• A ball carrier and supporter run across and try to pass inside the 3m square