Doubling Back

Key Points

Adopt the ready position.
Focus on the flight and pace of the approaching ball.
Move the feet so that the shoulders and hips are aligned with the flight of the ball.
Whether the ball is hit from the dominant or non-dominant side is determined by the position of the moving ball.
Having decided to strike the ball on a particular side, slide the non-dominant hand up the handle of the hurley to adopt the lock position.
Raise the hurley into an upright position to start the swing.
With eyes on the ball, swing down to connect with the ball close to the body in line with the lead foot.
Keeping the head down follow through in the direction from which the ball came.
Concentrate on connecting properly with the ball rather than powerfully at first.

Technical Drills

Drill 1 – Basic – Doubling Back

This is a basic drill to improve the Doubling Back technique while attempting to score a goal.
Divide the players into pairs, one ball per pair.
Mark out a goal approximately 3m wide for one player to act as goalkeeper in each pair.
The second player stands 15 to 20m away.
The goalkeeper strikes the ball low for their partner to double on in an effort to score a goal.
To score, the player must double on the ball first time.
If the player stops the ball or takes more than one touch, the score is not counted.
The goalkeeper must attempt to block the shot.
Count how many goals can be scored in a set time.
Reverse the roles and repeat the drill.

Drill 2 – Intermediate

This is an intermediate drill to practice doubling on the ball.
Divide the players into groups of 3, two balls per group.
Mark out a distance of approximately 40 to 50m using cones.
Position one player at each of the cones with a ball.
Position a third player in the middle of the cones.
In turn, the outer players strike the ball from the hand for the middle player to double back.
After a set time change the middle player.

Developing the Skill

Fun Game

This is a fun game to help develop the players’ ability to double on the ball.

Mark out a circle using cones.

Divide the players into two teams.

Position one team outside the circle and the other inside the circle.

The outside players must strike the balls low into the circle.

The players inside the circle must attempt to keep the circle clear by doubling on each ball as it arrives.

If the ball is not doubled back first time, and before it comes to a stop, it must be left in the circle.

After a set time, or when all the balls are in the circle, reverse the role s of the team.

The team with the least amount of balls in the circle after a set time are the winners.