All players may need to catch a high ball - forwards from kick-offs, backs from open play. The principles of “fielding” include being aware of your support players and thinking what to do next. This session builds on those principles.

Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 8-10
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 5-8

What to think about

Practise catching with players in pairs throwing high passes to each other. The fielding player moves and uses the “three points”, that is both hands and the chest, to catch the ball. Then, throw or kick the ball to two players standing 10m apart. Make it obvious who the ball is going to but encourage receivers to shout for it (see picture 1). Develop the exercise by aiming the ball between players so there could be some indecision unless they communicate well.

set-up

1. Call for the ball early and move quickly to catch it before it hits the ground.
2. Turn your body sideways as you field the ball to stop any knock-ons and protect it.
3. As you gather the ball, pull it into your chest.

What you get your players to do

Split players into two groups of four with one group in each 20m x 15m box. The players have to kick the ball from their area into the opponent’s area. If the ball is caught, the fielding team scores a point. If dropped or the ball hits the ground in the area, the kicking team scores a point. The fielding team also scores if the ball lands outside the fielding area (see picture 2).