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Set-up
A 10m box and ball.
What you get your players to do
Put a catcher at one end of the box. You or another player stand about 5 to 10m away from the other end and throw or kick in a ball. Make the catcher run forward and jump for the ball. Then start him in the middle of the box or the front so he sometimes has to go back to come forward to jump or just go backwards.
Look for
A loud call for the ball. Leaping into the space for the ball. Keeping the elbows close if taking the ball into the chest, or elbows bent and hands up if taking the ball above the head. Turning slightly to make the catch so any fumbles go backwards.
Development
Put in a chaser to pressurise the catcher. Change the types of “kick” coming into the box. Put a team mate at the front of the box to support the catcher.
Notes
These skills are good for backs and forwards. You can run a couple of boxes in parallel so there is lots of action. Calls should be the name of the player. Perhaps develop also by having two potential catchers in a larger box.
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