Two- v one-handed ball carry

When a Fijian dazzles the crowd with a one-handed miracle offload, you might wonder why you bother to tell your players to carry the ball in two hands.

While there are some very good reasons why they should use two hands, you will want to avoid constantly calling this out to youngsters. In most circumstances, players change behaviours permanently because it makes a difference to them, not because you shout at them all the time.

First we need to think why it should make sense to use two hands.

• Keeps the ball secure in contact.
• It is easier to pass.
• Defenders think the player will pass the ball, so they are distracted and might not tackle the ball carrier.

Younger players tend to carry the ball under their arm, like holding a teddy bear. This prevents the possibilites to pass one handed anyway. It also makes it harder to manipulate the ball in contact.

This cleary makes sense to you. But how about the players? You have to remind them of this knowledge and the reasons. You can do this through questioning.

However, it’s great if you can play games where it makes sense to carry the ball in two hands. For example, use a game where fast passing makes sense, like versions of rugby netball where the players can run with the ball, have to stop and pass when they are touched. It makes sense to pass quickly.

Another good game is “five-second pass”. The player is allowed five seconds on the ball before they can pass. The opposition cannot intercept a pass but the ball carrier has to stop if they are touched in possession. With younger players, it’s better if there are more attackers than defenders.

My personal favourite is “chest” ball. If the ball touches the player’s chest it is a turnover. I tend not to give any tips before we start this game. Once it’s going, it becomes clear to the players that carrying the ball in one hand only works if they are able to grip it and hold it in front them. Also, any passes they receive, they will naturally have to reach out with two hands.

A good warm-up exercise is the criss-cross type exercise on page 5. You don’t have to run it for long. It helps the players have a chance to embed a couple of good habits before using them in a game. There’s a certain amount of chaos involved too.

You can also explore how the players can take the ball into contact on page 6. Now they are making decisions around carrying the ball in one hand or two.

That’s good practice overall. The players should have opportunities to see the benefits of both and reflect on when best to carry in one or two hands.

If you’re having to shout “two hands” all the time then you probably need to think about the make-up of training, and put the emphasis back on the players to decide.