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LOGINHigh ball catch confidence
Win the defensive battle for aerial supremacy by challenging for high balls with confidence and technical ability. This activity works mainly on defence but also sharpens up the attack.
WHY USE IT
Establishes confidence in an open and closed environment while demonstrating the correct technical approach to challenge for the aerial ball and if necessary jump to catch.
Set up
One ball per group of three/four.
TECHNIQUE
- Use the “T” shape and “cradle”.
- A “T” shape encourages a body shape that spills the ball backwards and not forward. The shoulders form a T with a horizontal line across the pitch.
- “Cradle” encourages safe pouching of the ball.
HOW TO DO IT
Closed environment: In groups of three, the ball is kicked
high to a receiver 15m away. One kicks, one receives, one waits.
Open environment: Extend the distance and height of kick: One kicks, one chases and one receives. The chaser causes a distraction but no contact is to be made.
- The catcher comes forward, forms a “cradle” with their arms (elbows in), jumping towards the ball and gathering it into their chest
- They form a “T shape” to take the catch. Their chest is facing sideways, with their lead hand towards the ball. If they cannot make a clean catch, the ball will go backwards
Related Files
- Start with three players kicking to each other to practise the cradle and T shape (closed environment)
- Then have one player kick, one catch and the other chase to put non-contact pressure on the catcher (open environment)
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