Win race over the ball

WHY USE IT

Work on quick reactions under pressure to make the right decision to win the space over the ball. The attacker sees whether a defender is going for the ball, then decides how to deal with it.

set up

A 5m circle and one ball per pair to start with, then a 10m x 5m box and one ball per seven players.

how to play it

An attacker (light shirt) and a defender (dark shirt) lie face down in the circle next to a ball. On your call, the players get to their feet to ‘win the race’ to the ball. The defender has three options (see top illustration):

1. Stand over the ball and protect it.
2. Go for the ball and pick it up.
3. Drive over the ball and clear the attacker out.

The attacker has to decide how to deal with the defender. Body height, and who wins the race for the ball, is crucial.

Play 3v3 in the box. A feeder (F) passes to one of the attackers, who runs at their defender (see middle illustration). The attacker can pass but, if they are tackled, the other players race to win the space over the ball (see bottom illustration). Play full contact.

coaching points

• Lost the space and defender low on the ball? Try to get under them.
• First to the ball: Win the space over and beyond it.
• Equal: Go low to high, to drive them back.

• An attacker (in white) and a defender (in blue) lie next to each other in a small circle, with a ball between them – shout “Go!”

• The attacker has to win the ball, depending on the defender’s intentions

• The attacker has to win the ball depending on the defender’s intentions
  
  • Defender goes past the ball
  • Defender stays over the ball
  • Defender goes for the ball

• Put three defenders at one end of the box

• Put three numbered attackers at one end of the box

• The feeder passes to one of the attackers, who can pass if they want

• The defender in front of the ball carrier makes a tackle

• The other attackers and defenders aim to win the race for the space over the ball