Active Warm-Ups with a Ball
No.1 - Pass and Move
The Set Up: 2 players working with 1 ball. Players start on the back line and work up and down the court in their pairs. Players to stay 1m apart during all movement.
The Practice: Players to side step or run up and down the court passing the ball between them. The aim is to pass the ball without breaking the footwork rule.
Teaching Points
- Start slowly and gradually build up the pace
- Feed the pass so not over stretching your partner
- Once running, ensure you land and control your body before making the next pass
- Time your movement so asking for the ball only when your partner has landed and is balanced
Common Errors:-
- Players thinking speed is better than quality of catching, landing and passing
No.2 - Square Spaces
The Set Up: 2 players working with 1 ball. Players imagine they are standing on 2 different corners of a square.
The Practice: Player A to start with the ball and passes to Player B who runs to a free corner. Player A then runs to another free corner and receives from Player B. This is a continuous practice with players always moving into a free space.
Progression: Make the square larger or smaller and change the type of pass used.
Teaching Points
For the feeder:-
- Pass the ball ahead of the running player so they receive the pass at the corner they are running to
- Make sure feet turn/pivot to face the direction of the next pass. This will ensure your players have balance
For the moving player:-
- Time the run to the free corner once the feeder is balanced and ready to pass
- Always turn inwards as this is the shortest route between landing and feeding
Common Errors:-
- Players move too early so they are standing still when they receive the pass
- An accurate feed is not given which means the moving player is either too overstretched or catches the ball behind her
No.3 - The Drop
The Set Up: 2 players working with 1 ball standing opposite each other about 2 3m apart. Player A is the feeder and Player B the worker.
The Practice: The feeder drops the ball from chest height anywhere within a semi-circle in front of Player B. Player B starts with her hands by her sides and in the ready position. Player B reacts to the ball and snatches it in to the chest as quickly as possible. Once balanced, player B passes the ball back to the feeder and the practice is re-set. The aim is to catch the ball before it bounces. Great for reactions.
Teaching Points
For the feeder:-
- Only drop the ball once player B has re-set and is ready to react
For the worker:-
- Be ready to react by starting with bent knees, feet are moving (pitter patter) so ready to react
- Drive forward for the ball
- Keep eye on the ball at all times
- Make sure balanced when passing the ball back to the feeder using a chest pass
- Recover with a slow jog or side step back to starting position
No.4 - To and Fro Passing
The Set Up: 2 players working with 2 balls. Player A is the worker and player B the feeder. The 2 balls are placed on the floor, or on 2 cones, making a triangle with the feeder. Player A stands opposite the feeder between the 2 balls.
The Practice: Player A runs to 1 ball, picks it up and passes it to the feeder who returns it quickly. Player A puts the ball back on the floor and runs to the 2nd ball passing to the feeder as before. This is great for fitness and practices movement skills as well as quick release passing.
Progression 1: Increase the distance between the 2 balls.
Teaching Points
For the feeder:-
- Pass the ball back quickly and from the chest making the pass is flat and hard
For the worker:-
- Turn the hips to the way you are running keeping your eyes and head up and aware of the feeder
- Step in to the pass and snatch the ball in before placing back on the floor
Common Errors:-
- Working for too long so the technique goes better to work for shorter bursts as fitness builds
- Use of sidestepping which can help gain understanding of the practice but its not the quickest way to get between the 2 balls
No.5 - The Throw In
The Set Up: Working with 3 players and 1 ball. Player A, the feeder, stands c.2m away from Players B and C who are the workers. Players B and C stand next to each other facing the feeder and are in direct competition with each other.
The Practice: The feeder feeds the ball above the heads of Player B and C. They jump upwards aiming to be the first player to cleanly catch the ball and snatch it in before passing back to the feeder.
Teaching Points
For the feeder:-
- Using a chest pass, feeder to pass the ball above the heads of Players B and C great practice for feeding into the circle
- Step into the pass and concentrate on where the follow through is aiming
For the workers:-
- Start in the ready position with bent knees, feet hip distance apart and arms by your side. Arms will then help your elevation
- If the ball is tipped, chase ball and snatch it in before passing it back to the feeder
Common Errors:-
- Feeder to be inaccurate giving greater advantage to one player over an another make sure workers start on both sides and concentrate on feeders follow through
- Workers jump in towards each other rather than upwards
- Workers start with their arms high which will limit their elevation as they will just be relying on their legs rather than legs and arms
No.6 - The Roll
The Set Up: 3 players working with 1 ball. Player A, the feeder, stands in-between Players B and C who are the workers. Players B and C are in direct competition with each other.
The Practice: The feeder rolls the ball away from players B and C. Players B and C sprint to contest for the loose ball, snatching it in to their chest before returning it to the feeder.
Teaching Points
For the feeder:-
- Step into the roll and follow through to make an accurate release
For the workers:-
- Start in the ready position with knees best and pitter patter feet
- As running to the ball, run through the line of the ball so picking up the ball cleanly
Common Errors:-
- Feeders roll is not straight concentrate on their follow through
- Feeder feeds the ball in before both players are ready
No.7 - Following the Pass
The Set Up: 4 players working with 1 ball. Players form a square using court lines or cones. Each player to start on a different corner with Player A starting with the ball
The Practice: Player A passes the ball to player B who then passes onto Player C. The ball therefore continuously moves around the square. Once the ball has been released, each player is to run to where they have fed the ball and return back to their corner. The aim is to return to your corner at the same time as the ball. If the ball has been delayed, the player is to wait before running back to their corner ensuring they are receiving the ball in the move. Great for timing, movement, accuracy of passing and fitness.
Progression 1: Change direction of the ball and also add more players and more balls. This is a great practice to do when warming up between tournament games.
Teaching Points
For the feeder:-
- Pass the ball ahead of the running player so they receive the pass at the corner they are running in to
- Step into the pass so stepping in foot steps towards the running player. This will ensure your players have balance
For the moving player:-
- Time the run back to the corner once the feeder is balanced and ready to pass
- Land on the outside foot so turn in towards the circle
- A progression can be to turn outwards as the teacher dictates
Common Errors:-
- Players move too early so they are standing still when they receive the pass
- An accurate feed is not given which means the moving player is either too overstretched or catches the ball behind her
No.8 - Catch and Pass Shuttle
The Set Up: A group of any number of players to be used with 1 ball. Players to split into 2 lines which face each other. Player A is the feeder and is positioned making a triangle between the 2 lines and herself.
The Practice: The front player of line 1 (player B) runs to the centre and receives a square pass from the feeder. Player Blands and passes the ball on to the front player of the opposite line (Player C) before joining the back of the opposite line. Player C passes the ball back to the feeder before running to the centre. This practice is continuous and concentrates on a good feed but mainly on footwork, controlled landing and balance.
Progression 1: Diagonal Catch and Pass Shuttle - Before running to receive the pass from the feeder, workers run to a cone opposite which means they then change direction using the outside leg. They then drive towards the feeder receiving a forward chest pass. Players land and can either pass the ball straight back to the feeder or to the opposite line and the practice continues.
Progression 2: Pass and Defend Shuttle - Once player B has passed the ball to Player C, Player B runs to a defensive position between Player C and the feeder.
Teaching Points
For the feeder:-
- Feed using the same pass at first and then change the passes as the players develop
- Feed the ball in-front of the player directed at their signalling hand
- Step into all passes
For the workers:-
- Signal for the ball
- Sprint out into the space keeping head up and looking at the feeder and ball
- Snatch the ball in with both hands
- Land using correct footwork with feet hip distance apart, bend the knees and keep head up
- Balance and step into the pass
- Progression 1: Use outside leg to push off (leg furthest away from the feeder)
Common Errors:-
- Workers feed the ball before they gain their balance
- The feed is not accurate putting pressure on the worker
