The ‘no-look’ pass

why use it

The ball carrier passes as normal, without looking; responding to a call knowing the support player is in place. This maintains ‘go-forward’ and speed in the attack.

set up

An 8m x 4m box. One ball per five players.

how to play it

Four players – one holding a ball – stand at each corner of the box, with another in the middle. The ball is passed to the middle player (see top illustration), who, in turn, passes to one of the players behind them without looking, just responding to a call (see middle illustration). To begin with, a ball received from the left goes to the right receiver, and vice versa. Pass the ball back to the other ‘facing’ player to repeat. Rotate players after six passes. As passers become more confident, ask the first receiver and support player to run onto the ball, shouting the length of the pass (see bottom illustration).

coaching points

• Support players call early, and time their runs based on the ball carrier’s skills and movement.
• The passer’s hands follow through to where they think the target is.

1. Put two players behind the first receiver

2. Pass the ball to the middle player
   
   

1. Have one player call for the ball

2. The middle player passes without looking
   

1. Ask the receiver and support player to move forward to take the pass

2. The support player changes their line of running, but must make a clear and early call

3. Again, the middle player makes a no-look pass