Controlling a Moving Ball

Key Points

Adopt the ready position.
If the ball is travelling along the ground, adopt the lifting position.
Hold the hurley at an angle to deflect the ball towards the body.
If the ball is travelling in the air, move the hurley to intercept the ball.
Relax the grip and angle the bas of the hurley back to deaden the ball on impact.
Release the non-dominant hand from the hurley to catch the ball.

Technical Drills

Drill 1 – Basic – In Pairs

This is a basic drill to practice controlling a moving ball into the hand.
Divide the players into pairs, approximately 5m apart, one ball per pair.
Player A rolls the ball along the ground for player B to control into the hand.
Player B then rolls the ball back for Player A to control and so the drill continues for a set time.
To vary the drill, the players throw the ball at medium or hip height for their partner to control.
To make the drill more difficult, increase the distance between the players and allow the players to strike the ball either along the ground or at hip height for their partner to control.

Drill 2 – Intermediate - Move and Control

This is an intermediate drill to practice controlling a moving ball into the hand.
Divide the players into pairs, approximately 20m apart.
Place a marker 5 meters in from one of the outer cones.
On the whistle, Player A strikes the ball low for Player B to run forward and control at the 5 metre mark.
Player B continues forward and strikes the ball back to player A before jogging backwards to the outer cone.
On the next whistle, repeat the drill.
After a set number of strikes the roles are reversed.

Drill 3 Intermediate

This is an intermediate drill to practice controlling a moving ball into the hand.
Divide the players into groups of 4.
Mark out a triangle placing the cones approximately 15m apart
Position one player at each corner, with the fourth player in the middle of the triangle.
In turn, each of the outer players strike the ball low for the middle player to control and return.
After a set time, change the player in the middle.

Drill 4 Intermediate - Turn and Control

This is an intermediate drill to practice controlling a moving ball into the hand.
Divide the players into groups of 3.
Mark out a distance of approximately 30m using cones.
Position one player at each end of the 30m with a ball
Position the third player in the middle.
In turn, the outer players strike the ball for the middle player to control and return.
Count how many balls the middle player controls and returns in a set time.
Change the middle player and continue the drill.
The feeders should vary the way the ball is struck to the middle player, for example, strike the ball at different heights and speeds.

Drill 5 – Intermediate

This intermediate drill to practice controlling a moving ball into the hand introduces an opponent.
Divide the players into groups of 4.
Mark out a distance of approximately 40m using cones.
Position one player at each end of the 40m with a ball.
Then position two players in the middle.
In turn, the outer players strike the ball for the nearer of the middle players to control and strike back
The second of the middle players provides shadow opposition.
Reverse the roles of the middle players as the second ball is played towards the middle.
Change the feeders and receivers after a set time.
To vary the drill, the player controlling the ball must strike it to the far side as the second player attempts to block.

Developing the Skill

Fun Game - Control and Strike Relay

This is a fun game to help improve the players’ ability to control a moving ball.
Divide the group into teams of 3 or 4 players.
Line up each team at regular intervals over the length of the field.
The players must move the ball up and down the line as many times as possible in a set time.
Hold a competition to find out which team is quickest to move the ball up the line and back.

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