Striking on The Ground

• Adopt the ready position
• The feet should be shoulder width apart with the ball in line with the forward foot.
• Slide the non-dominant hand into the Lock Position, bending the elbows to raise the hurley.
• Bend the knees slightly and with eyes on the ball, swing the hurley downward with a wristy action.
• Strike the ball ‘flat on’ with the bas of the hurley
• The body weight is transferred from the dominant leg to the non-dominant leg as the swing is completed.
• Keep the head down and follow through to at least shoulder height with the swing.

Technical Drills

Drill 1 – Basic – Striking a Tyre

• This is a basic drill to practice the ground strike technique.
• Divide the players into pairs, one pair per tyre
• Standing one to each side, each player in turn strikes the tyre
• After a set time or number of strikes the players change sides so that they strike from both dominant and non-dominant sides.

Drill 2 – Basic – Strike and Follow

• This is a basic drill to practice the ground strike technique and focuses on increasing the distance a player can strike the ball on the ground
• Line the players up on one side of the field, one ball per player
• Each player must attempt to strike the ball across the field in the least number of shots.
• Encourage them to improve their score on the way back.
• Alternate between using the dominant and non-dominant sides.

Drill 3 Basic – Striking in Pairs

• This is a basic drill to practice the ground strike technique and also incorporates the ground block.
• Divide the players into pairs approximately 10m apart, one ball per pair
• Players in turn strike the ball to their partner, who blocks it and strikes back.
• Alternate between using the dominant and non-dominant sides.

Drill 4 Intermediate – Striking in Pairs- Accuracy

• This is an intermediate drill to practice the ground strike technique focussing on improving the players’ accuracy.
• Divide the players into pairs approximately 10m apart, one ball per pair
• Place two cones mid-way between both players.
• The distance between the cones can be reduced depending on the ability and accuracy of the players.
• Each player in turn strikes the ball through the cones to their partner who blocks it and strikes back.
• Alternate between using the dominant and non-dominant sides.
• Players can be awarded a score for every successful attempt at striking the ball between the cones and are encouraged to beat their partner’s score.

Drill 5 Intermediate – Goal to Goal

• This is an intermediate drill which requires each player to use the ground strike to attempt to score a goal. It may also improve blocking technique.
• Players pair off and face each other approximately 10m apart, using 2 cones to make a goal for each.
• Each player in turn attempts to score a goal past their partner.
• As the players improve increase the distance between them and reduce the size of the goals to increase the challenge of the drill.
• Award 1 point for every goal scored with the dominant side and 2 points for every goal scored with the non-dominant side.

Developing the Skill

Grid Game 1 – Skittles

• This is a target game designed to improve the accuracy of the players' ground strike.
• Players line up in relay teams
• Ten cones are positioned like skittles ten meters away from each team.
• The first player on each team steps out and attempts to strike the cones with the ball
• Award two points for every time a cone is struck and five points if a cone is knocked down.
• Only one attempt is permitted per turn.
• Each player must retrieve the ball and replace any cones knocked before passing the ball on to the next player in line
• The captain of each team is asked to keep the score.

Grid Game 2 – Golf Goals

• The aim of this target game is to encourage length and accuracy in ground striking.
• Set up a course four goals, one at each corner of a grid 20m by 20m.
• The width of each goal should be less than 2m.
• Divide the group into teams of 4 players
• The players in relay attempt to strike the ball through each goal in turn, counting the number of shots it takes from start to finish.
• For example in the first team of four, Player A takes the first shot, Player B the second, Player C takes the third shot and Player D takes the fourth shot.
• The team who completes the course in the least number of shots wins.

Fun Game 1 – 4 Goal Game

• This is a modified game focussing on the ground strike which incorporates blocking and dribbling and will aid the development of decision-making and team play.
• Mark out a playing area 30m x 30m.
• Position a goal at each of the four corners.
• Divide the players into two equal teams of 4 to 6 players
• Each team defends two goals but no goalkeepers are used.
• Vary the size of the playing area and the width of the goals depending on the ability of the players.
  
  
  

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