Catching drill
Support and Pass
Draw a defender and time the pass, in the smallest possible live decision drill.
- Time
- 12 minutes
- Players
- 3 to 9 players
- Intensity
- Medium
- Equipment
- Ball
- Space
- 10m x 10m
- Positions
- All positions
Setup
A small area with three players and one ball.
How to run it
- The first player runs ahead, places the ball on the ground and turns to become a defender, while the other two follow as attackers one behind the other.
- The front attacker picks up the ball, runs at the defender to commit them, and passes only once they are genuinely committed.
- The support player moves into space and calls for it, saying exactly when and where they want it - for example 'pop left'.
- Rotate all three roles every rep and do 15 reps.
- This is the smallest drill in the library containing a real decision, so it is worth more than the same time spent passing in a static line.
Coaching cues
- Commit the defender before you release
- Support calls when and where they want it
- Create the space before you use it
Common mistakes
- Passing before the defender has actually committed, so nobody is beaten
- The support runner arriving flat and level rather than onto the ball
Session plans that use this drill
Related drills
- Self Throw and CatchBuild basic catching confidence and hand-eye coordination with nothing but a ball.
- Wall Reaction CatchSharpen reaction catching off an unpredictable rebound, alone.
- Back and Forth Catch-PassHold catch-pass quality as fatigue builds, which is when handling errors actually happen.
- Wall Pass ReboundBuild passing accuracy and reaction catching completely alone, off any flat wall.
- Solo Halfback Wall PassGroove the scrum-half clearing pass off the ground in one sweep, with no partner needed.
- Pass ProgressionBuild a smooth, rhythmic two-handed pass from static through to running pace.