The Roll Lift

• Adopt the ready position.
• Place the non-dominant foot alongside the ball.
• Bend the knees and back to bring the head over the ball. This is the lifting position.
• Keep eyes on the ball.
• The ‘toe’ of the hurley should be pointed away from the body.
• Note that both thumbs should be pointing towards the bas of the hurley.
• Ensure the hurley is almost parallel to the ground before performing the lift.
• Place the hurley firmly on the ball.
• Roll the ball towards the body and slide the ‘toe’ of the hurley under the ball to lift it.
• As the ball lifts release the non-dominant hand from the hurley into a cupped position allowing the ball to ‘fall’ into it.

Technical Drills

Drill 1 – Basic – Roll Lift

• This is a basic drill to practice the Roll Lift technique.
• Divide the group into pairs, one ball per pair.
• Ensure each pair has adequate space to perform the technique in a stationary position.
• One player in each pair roll lifts the ball repeatedly for one minute.
• Ensure each lift is performed correctly. Catch the ball properly each time and place it on the ground for each repeat attempt.
• The second player in each pair counts successful attempts by their partner.
• After 1 minute the players switch roles.
• Encourage players to beat their own record on repeat attempts.

Drill 2 – Basic –Roll Lift and Move

• This is a basic drill to practice the Roll Lift technique.
• Mark out a square or circle using cones.
• Position 1 player and one ball at each cone.
• Players roll lift the ball at each cone a set number of times before moving on to the next cone.
• To vary the drill, the players must carry the ball to the next cone after completing the roll lift.
• They then move onto the next cone and repeat the drill.

Drill 3 Intermediate – Agility Roll Lift

• This is an intermediate drill to practice the Roll Lift technique.
• Each player is required to roll lift the ball while turning and changing direction.
• Place 5 cones in a cross formation approximately 3 metres between each outer cone and the centre cone.
• The players form a line behind one of the outer cones.
• Place a ball at each of the other cones.
• The player at the beginning of the line jogs to the centre cone, roll lifting and replacing the ball at the cone.
• They then turn and jog to the cone on the left and perform a roll lift there, before returning to the centre cone again.
• They continue to each outer cone in a clockwise motion, returning to the centre cone each time.
• On returning to the first cone they tag the next player who repeats the drill.    

Developing the Skill

Grid Game 1 – Grid Swap

• This is a grid game designed to increase the speed at which players perform the Roll Lift.
• Divide the players into two teams of 5 players each.
• Mark out two grids approximately 5m by 5m with a distance of 10m between each grid.
• Assign a grid to each team.
• Line up both teams outside their grid.
• Place 10 sliotars in one grid.
• On the whistle, the first team must race forward, roll lift a ball each and return to place it in their own grid.
• The first team continues until all the sliotars have been moved.
• The second team then repeat the drill moving all the sliotars back to their own grid.
• The team who completes the drill in the quickest time wins.

Fun Game 1 – Roll Lift Musical Chairs

• This is a fun game to develop the Roll Lift technique.
• Mark out a grid 13m x 13m.
• 10 players work inside the grid.
• Each player begins with a ball.
• The balls are placed on the ground and the players jog slowly around the grid.
• On the whistle, the players quickly move to the nearest ball to roll lift it into their hand.
• One ball is taken away and the game continues.
• On the next whistle, the player who fails to roll lift a ball into their possession must leave the game.
• Continue to take away one ball after each round until one player remains.
• Players may compete for the ball.
  
  
  

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