Passing drill
Catch and Pass at Pace
Take the ball early and move it on in one motion at full running speed.
- Time
- 15 minutes
- Players
- 2 to 10 players
- Intensity
- High
- Equipment
- Ball, cones
- Space
- 15m channel
- Positions
- All positions
Setup
Two cones 15m apart marking a running channel, one ball, with a partner.
How to run it
- Run the channel side by side passing continuously, taking the ball as early as you can with your hands already out.
- Put your hands on the side of the ball with your elbows slightly bent and arms close to your body, and pass to the space at your partner's chin height so their head and hands stay up.
- Rotate your head, shoulders and hips to pass but keep your bottom half square and running - turning your whole body kills your running line.
- Do 6 shuttles of 40m each direction off both hands, then repeat the whole thing at 90% sprint pace.
Coaching cues
- Chin height, into the space in front
- Take it early - reach out for it
- Turn the top half, keep the hips running
Common mistakes
- Waiting with your hands down and catching against your chest
- Turning your whole body to pass, which destroys your running line and speed
Session plans that use this drill
Related drills
- Halfback Pressure ServicePass cleanly off the ground both directions from whatever mess the ball arrives in.
- Halfback Pass GridBuild volume on the clearing pass off both hands with constant movement.
- Miss Pass LineDevelop the long cut-out pass and the discipline of the man being missed.
- Cut-Out and LoopCombine the cut-out pass with a looping support runner to create an extra attacker.
- Switch DrillPractise the switch and dummy switch, which change the angle of attack against a drifting defence.
- Pressure Pass ChannelCatch and pass in one motion under time pressure while running.