in more ways than one
sportplan_netball
in more ways than one
sportplan_rugby
Restart kicks are now the most common set-piece in rugby and the easiest to lose. Treat them like a lineout: prepare options, drill the catch, and own the reception.
World Rugby has dropped the legal tackle height to the base of the sternum for the 2026 U20 Championship in Georgia. Here is what the trial means for coaches at every level.
Kicking is up across the Six Nations and Champions Cup, which means counter-attack opportunities are up too. Learn how to turn a loose kick into seven points.
The session will also improve the players court sense by teaching them the benefits of taking away their opponent's angles and time by using the middle as an effective tool.<\/p>"},{"id":835053,"modified":false,"orderIndex":4,"title":"Other Comments","value":"
\"Play the game, not the occasion\" Alex Ferguson<\/p>"},{"id":835054,"modified":false,"orderIndex":5,"title":"","value":""}],"isPrivate":false,"keywords":[{"createdDate":"28/02/2011","keyword":"middle","keywordId":2524},{"createdDate":"15/12/2010","keyword":"tactic","keywordId":1637},{"createdDate":"06/05/2011","keyword":"approach","keywordId":3144},{"createdDate":"19/09/2011","keyword":"defend","keywordId":4341},{"createdDate":"16/02/2012","keyword":"neutralise","keywordId":5174}],"longStory":"
It's time to mix things up and use the middle!<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Hitting to the middle of the court is an underrated tactic which can be useful in a wide variety of situations and can be just as effective as hitting to the corners. Players can hit the middle in order to approach the net, defend or even neutralise their opponent by taking away their options.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
What's in the Session?<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n To improve your players' tactical awareness and court sense this session practises taking away your opponent's choices while also improving shot consistency with this high percentage tactic.<\/p>\r\n\r\n By making your players understand that hitting to the middle takes away their opponent's angles you should expect to see your players mixing things up a little more in their next match - using the middle effectively on occasion when attacking, defending and returning!<\/p>","madeDate":"15/02/2012","modified":false,"movieScale":70,"newsletter":null,"openToPublic":true,"ownerId":10573816,"pdfUrl":"/upload/sessions/1388/1972/9860671/Using-the-Middle-to-Approach-Defend-and-Neutralise.pdf","pricingTier":2,"publicTitle":"Using the Middle to Approach, Defend and Neutralise","publishId":"535463168_-59873024","publishedDate":"08/10/2013 15:12:11.964","publishedSessionUrl":"/drills/Tennis/sessionPlans/Using-the-Middle-to-Approach-Defend-and-Neutralise-9860671.jsp","purpose":" To encourage players to think of and practice hitting to the middle of the court as a useful tactical play in a variety of situations.<\/p>","rating":3.8,"ratingCount":5,"ratings":[{"commentText":"I would like to see films beside of the scripts.","comments":[{"comment":"I would like to see films beside of the scripts.","commentDate":"24/12/2012 06:46:52.329","commentDateShort":"24/12/2012 06:46","commentId":17082,"creatorId":5919301,"deletorDate":"","deletorId":0,"flaggedAdvertisement":"","flaggedAdvertisementShort":"","flaggedInappropriate":"","flaggedInappropriateShort":"","rootCommentId":17082,"user":{"countryName":"United States of America","email":"farhad.rosh@gmail.com","firstName":"Farhad","fullName":"Farhad Roshanaie","hasProfileImage":false,"involvementType":"involvementType1","lastName":"Roshanaie","organisation":"","userAccountId":14304564,"userName":"farhad.rosh@gmail.com","usersDirectory":"/upload/users/4e20/2860/14304564"}}],"deleted":"","flaggedAdvertisement":"","flaggedInappropriate":"","rating":4,"ratingDate":"24/12/2012 06:44:09.581","rootCommentId":17082,"sessionEntityId":9860671,"sessionRatingId":14041,"userAccount":{"countryName":"United States of America","email":"farhad.rosh@gmail.com","firstName":"Farhad","fullName":"Farhad Roshanaie","hasProfileImage":false,"involvementType":"involvementType1","lastName":"Roshanaie","organisation":"","userAccountId":14304564,"userName":"farhad.rosh@gmail.com","usersDirectory":"/upload/users/4e20/2860/14304564"},"userAccountId":14304564}],"regenerateImages":false,"sections":[{"deleted":false,"modified":false,"orderIndex":0,"practices":[{"columns":[{"deleted":false,"heading":"","modified":false,"notes":[{"deleted":false,"heading":"","modified":false,"notes":" Player 1 is working in a full court and player 2 is 'feeding' from the centre of the court along the baseline. The players rally co-operatively for 3 minutes but with player 2 working the ball around the full-court making player 1 move a reasonable amount without a pattern.<\/p> Player 1 is aiming for the rectangle at the back of the court marked by targets and player 2 should count how many balls player 1 makes into the rectangle within the 3 minutes. When the time is up the players switch roles.<\/p> This drill can be repeated 3 times for each player and then the totals added up to see who was the most accurate!<\/p>","orderIndex":0,"practiceNoteId":536937,"sessionPracticeCount":2,"sessionPractices":[{"adjustment":"","customPractice":{"activityBreakdownId":0,"authorId":10573816,"categoryPageHref":"drills/Tennis/Rally-Drills/","coachingPoints":" The quality of the feeding is important here from player 2. Just because they are not the 'working player' they must still maintain the same level of intensity as player 1, and take care to be as consistent as possible.<\/p> Notes:<\/strong><\/p> The target size can be adjusted according to the standard of the players and the accuracy possible.<\/p>","comments":"","created":"22/11/2012 12:01:04.040","customPracticeId":99732,"customType":"CHLK","dataSource":"","demo":false,"description":" Player 1 is working in a full court and player 2 is 'feeding' from the centre of the court along the baseline. The players rally co-operatively for 3 minutes but with player 2 working the ball around the full-court making player 1 move a reasonable amount without a pattern.<\/p> Player 1 is aiming for the rectangle at the back of the court marked by targets and player 2 should count how many balls player 1 makes into the rectangle within the 3 minutes. When the time is up the players switch roles.<\/p> This drill can be repeated 3 times for each player and then the totals added up to see who was the most accurate!<\/p>","editCustomPracticeIndex":-1,"equipment":"","externalFilePath":"","externalId":"","height":222,"imageSource":"/upload/users/7530/2114/10573816/cp99732487-1353587193439.png","imageSourceBw":"","language":{"languageCode":"en","languageId":1000,"name":"English","sportCategories":[]},"modified":"22/11/2012 12:26:35.155","poorQuality":false,"progression":"","publishId":"535463168_698449920","sessionFolderId":5105627,"setup":"","sportCategoryDetail":{"categoryName":"Rally Drills","languageId":1000,"sportCategoryDetailId":1195,"sportCategoryId":1195,"userCategory":true},"sportCategoryId":1195,"sportCodeId":1010,"sportDetail":{"languageId":1000,"sportCodeId":1010,"sportDetailId":1010,"sportName":"Tennis"},"svgSource":"","swfSource":"","template":"fullCourt","title":"Using the middle to neutralise","width":388,"xmlSource":""},"deleted":false,"externalFile":"null","externalFileType":"null","modified":false,"orderIndex":0,"practiceVariant":null,"sessionPracticeId":6143723,"title":""}]}],"orderIndex":0,"practiceColumnId":436637},{"deleted":false,"heading":"","modified":false,"notes":[{"deleted":false,"heading":"*Coaching Tips","modified":false,"notes":" The quality of the feeding is important here from player 2. Just because they are not the 'working player' they must still maintain the same level of intensity as player 1, and take care to be as consistent as possible.<\/p>","orderIndex":0,"practiceNoteId":536943,"sessionPracticeCount":0,"sessionPractices":[]},{"deleted":false,"heading":"*Notes","modified":false,"notes":" The target size can be adjusted according to the standard of the players and the accuracy possible.<\/p>","orderIndex":1,"practiceNoteId":537017,"sessionPracticeCount":0,"sessionPractices":[]}],"orderIndex":1,"practiceColumnId":436638}],"deleted":false,"duration":"","modified":false,"orderIndex":0,"sectionPracticeId":182094,"title":"Using the middle to neutralise"}],"sessionSectionId":491172,"title":"Getting Started: Hit the middle"},{"deleted":false,"modified":false,"orderIndex":1,"practices":[{"columns":[{"deleted":false,"heading":"","modified":false,"notes":[{"deleted":false,"heading":"","modified":false,"notes":" The coach feeds a mid-court ball from the basket to player 2 who must approach down the middle, aiming for a similar target zone as in the previous drill. Player 1 must try to pass player 2.<\/p> The point is live from the first ball so everything counts!<\/p> Players can play first to 7points, before changing roles. The drill is then repeated with the coach feeding from the other corner.<\/p>","orderIndex":0,"practiceNoteId":536939,"sessionPracticeCount":3,"sessionPractices":[{"adjustment":"","customPractice":{"activityBreakdownId":0,"authorId":10573816,"categoryPageHref":"drills/Tennis/Rally-Drills/","coachingPoints":" Player 2 is aiming to play the approach hard and aggressively down the middle in order to take away the passing options of player 1 by taking away their angles.<\/p> However, due to the nature of the drill, player 1 will already know where the approach is going, so player 2 must remember not to overplay the shot, as in a match situation the opponent may already be on the move and therefore the down the middle approach will be even more effective than here.<\/p>","comments":"","created":"22/11/2012 12:17:26.435","customPracticeId":99733,"customType":"CHLK","dataSource":"","demo":false,"description":" The coach feeds a mid-court ball from the basket to player 2 who must approach down the middle, aiming for a similar target zone as in the previous drill. Player 1 must try to pass player 2.<\/p> The point is live from the first ball so everything counts!<\/p> Players can play first to 7points, before changing roles. The drill is then repeated with the coach feeding from the other corner.<\/p>","editCustomPracticeIndex":-1,"equipment":"","externalFilePath":"","externalId":"","height":222,"imageSource":"/upload/users/7530/2114/10573816/cp0344-1353586646437.png","imageSourceBw":"","language":{"languageCode":"en","languageId":1000,"name":"English","sportCategories":[]},"modified":"22/11/2012 12:17:45.763","poorQuality":false,"progression":"","publishId":"535463168_-1449033728","sessionFolderId":5105627,"setup":"","sportCategoryDetail":{"categoryName":"Rally Drills","languageId":1000,"sportCategoryDetailId":1195,"sportCategoryId":1195,"userCategory":true},"sportCategoryId":1195,"sportCodeId":1010,"sportDetail":{"languageId":1000,"sportCodeId":1010,"sportDetailId":1010,"sportName":"Tennis"},"svgSource":"","swfSource":"","template":"fullCourt","title":"Using the middle to approach the net and take away the angles","width":388,"xmlSource":""},"deleted":false,"externalFile":"null","externalFileType":"null","modified":false,"orderIndex":0,"practiceVariant":null,"sessionPracticeId":6143725,"title":""}]}],"orderIndex":0,"practiceColumnId":436639},{"deleted":false,"heading":"","modified":false,"notes":[{"deleted":false,"heading":"*Notes","modified":false,"notes":" Player 2 is aiming to play the approach hard and aggressively down the middle in order to take away the passing options of player 1 by taking away their angles.<\/p> However, due to the nature of the drill, player 1 will already know where the approach is going, so player 2 must remember not to overplay the shot, as in a match situation the opponent may already be on the move and therefore the down the middle approach will be even more effective than here.<\/p>","orderIndex":0,"practiceNoteId":536945,"sessionPracticeCount":0,"sessionPractices":[]}],"orderIndex":1,"practiceColumnId":436640}],"deleted":false,"duration":"","modified":false,"orderIndex":0,"sectionPracticeId":182095,"title":"Using the middle to approach the net and take away the angles"}],"sessionSectionId":491173,"title":"Live drill: Hit the middle"},{"deleted":false,"modified":false,"orderIndex":2,"practices":[{"columns":[{"deleted":false,"heading":"","modified":false,"notes":[{"deleted":false,"heading":"","modified":false,"notes":" The coach feeds single ball feeds from the basket putting the player under extreme pressure.<\/p> Starting from the singles tramline the players must try to hit the ball on the run directly back down the middle of the court to the rectangular target.<\/p> Players can choose whether they slice or hit over the ball depending on how quickly they can get to the ball.<\/p> Each player hits just one ball at a time so players waiting must be ready immediately for the next feed and after the shot has been played must jog back to the start position at the back of the court in order to keep the drill continuous.<\/p> Repeat this drill with the coach feeding from the opposite corner.<\/p>","orderIndex":0,"practiceNoteId":536941,"sessionPracticeCount":2,"sessionPractices":[{"adjustment":"","customPractice":{"activityBreakdownId":0,"authorId":10573816,"categoryPageHref":"drills/Tennis/Rally-Drills/","coachingPoints":" There is a timing element to this drill with the feeding and the moving of the players. Players may start to edge across or anticipate when the feed is going to take place so the coach can 'keep the players honest' by occasionally feeding the ball down the line instead of cross-court to stop the player guessing!<\/p> Progression:<\/strong><\/p> Targets can be counted and depending on the fitness level of the players the length of time the drill lasts adjusted.<\/p>","comments":"","created":"22/11/2012 12:22:18.965","customPracticeId":99734,"customType":"CHLK","dataSource":"","demo":false,"description":" The coach feeds single ball feeds from the basket putting the player under extreme pressure.<\/p> Starting from the singles tramline the players must try to hit the ball on the run directly back down the middle of the court to the rectangular target.<\/p> Players can choose whether they slice or hit over the ball depending on how quickly they can get to the ball.<\/p> Each player hits just one ball at a time so players waiting must be ready immediately for the next feed and after the shot has been played must jog back to the start position at the back of the court in order to keep the drill continuous.<\/p> Repeat this drill with the coach feeding from the opposite corner.<\/p>","editCustomPracticeIndex":-1,"equipment":"","externalFilePath":"","externalId":"","height":222,"imageSource":"/upload/users/7530/2114/10573816/cp99734170-1353587634259.png","imageSourceBw":"","language":{"languageCode":"en","languageId":1000,"name":"English","sportCategories":[]},"modified":"22/11/2012 12:33:57.871","poorQuality":false,"progression":"","publishId":"535463168_1772191744","sessionFolderId":5105627,"setup":"","sportCategoryDetail":{"categoryName":"Rally Drills","languageId":1000,"sportCategoryDetailId":1195,"sportCategoryId":1195,"userCategory":true},"sportCategoryId":1195,"sportCodeId":1010,"sportDetail":{"languageId":1000,"sportCodeId":1010,"sportDetailId":1010,"sportName":"Tennis"},"svgSource":"","swfSource":"","template":"fullCourt","title":"Using the middle to defend under pressure (it's the biggest part of the court after all!)","width":388,"xmlSource":""},"deleted":false,"externalFile":"null","externalFileType":"null","modified":false,"orderIndex":0,"practiceVariant":null,"sessionPracticeId":6143729,"title":""}]}],"orderIndex":0,"practiceColumnId":436641},{"deleted":false,"heading":"","modified":false,"notes":[{"deleted":false,"heading":"*Coaching Tips","modified":false,"notes":" There is a timing element to this drill with the feeding and the moving of the players. Players may start to edge across or anticipate when the feed is going to take place so the coach can 'keep the players honest' by occasionally feeding the ball down the line instead of cross-court to stop the player guessing!<\/p>","orderIndex":0,"practiceNoteId":536946,"sessionPracticeCount":0,"sessionPractices":[]},{"deleted":false,"heading":"*Progression","modified":false,"notes":" Targets can be counted and depending on the fitness level of the players the length of time the drill lasts adjusted.<\/p>","orderIndex":1,"practiceNoteId":537018,"sessionPracticeCount":0,"sessionPractices":[]}],"orderIndex":1,"practiceColumnId":436642}],"deleted":false,"duration":"","modified":false,"orderIndex":0,"sectionPracticeId":182096,"title":"Using the middle to defend under pressure (it's the biggest part of the court after all!)"},{"columns":[{"deleted":false,"heading":"","modified":false,"notes":[{"deleted":false,"heading":"","modified":false,"notes":" Player 1 serves from the basket to anywhere in the forehand court for player 2 who aims all of their returns straight back down the middle to the feet of player 1, targeting the rectangle.<\/p> The drill is then performed to the advantage court before players switch roles.<\/p>","orderIndex":0,"practiceNoteId":536947,"sessionPracticeCount":2,"sessionPractices":[{"adjustment":"","customPractice":{"activityBreakdownId":0,"authorId":10573816,"categoryPageHref":"drills/Tennis/Rally-Drills/","coachingPoints":" The drill can be made slightly easier if the player who is serving nominates, saying body or wide as the serve they are going to hit.<\/p> Player 2 then has more of an idea where the serve is going so can practice more effectively the repetition of the shot.<\/p> This can be done for the whole drill or for half the time before making it unpredictable for the second half.<\/p>","comments":"","created":"22/11/2012 12:28:57.079","customPracticeId":99736,"customType":"CHLK","dataSource":"","demo":false,"description":" Player 1 serves from the basket to anywhere in the forehand court for player 2 who aims all of their returns straight back down the middle to the feet of player 1, targeting the rectangle.<\/p> The drill is then performed to the advantage court before players switch roles.<\/p>","editCustomPracticeIndex":-1,"equipment":"","externalFilePath":"","externalId":"","height":222,"imageSource":"/upload/users/7530/2114/10573816/cp99736578-1353587596258.png","imageSourceBw":"","language":{"languageCode":"en","languageId":1000,"name":"English","sportCategories":[]},"modified":"22/11/2012 12:33:18.360","poorQuality":false,"progression":"","publishId":"535463168_430014464","sessionFolderId":5105627,"setup":"","sportCategoryDetail":{"categoryName":"Rally Drills","languageId":1000,"sportCategoryDetailId":1195,"sportCategoryId":1195,"userCategory":true},"sportCategoryId":1195,"sportCodeId":1010,"sportDetail":{"languageId":1000,"sportCodeId":1010,"sportDetailId":1010,"sportName":"Tennis"},"svgSource":"","swfSource":"","template":"fullCourt","title":"Hitting the middle from a serve: Returning back where it came from","width":388,"xmlSource":""},"deleted":false,"externalFile":"null","externalFileType":"null","modified":false,"orderIndex":0,"practiceVariant":null,"sessionPracticeId":6143741,"title":""}]}],"orderIndex":0,"practiceColumnId":436643},{"deleted":false,"heading":"","modified":false,"notes":[{"deleted":false,"heading":"*Notes","modified":false,"notes":" The drill can be made slightly easier if the player who is serving nominates, saying body or wide as the serve they are going to hit.<\/p> Player 2 then has more of an idea where the serve is going so can practice more effectively the repetition of the shot.<\/p> This can be done for the whole drill or for half the time before making it unpredictable for the second half.<\/p>","orderIndex":0,"practiceNoteId":536949,"sessionPracticeCount":0,"sessionPractices":[]}],"orderIndex":1,"practiceColumnId":436644}],"deleted":false,"duration":"","modified":false,"orderIndex":1,"sectionPracticeId":182097,"title":"Hitting the middle from a serve: Returning back where it came from"}],"sessionSectionId":491174,"title":"Middle Masters: Hit into the middle zone"}],"sessionEntityId":9860671,"sessionFolderId":5072799,"sessionType":2010,"shortStory":"Mix things up with the middle shot! Get your players using this underrated, high-percentage shot to reduce their opponent's options and take command of the point","sportCodeId":1010,"template":"standardSPLandscape","textScale":100,"title":"Using the middle effectively: An underrated tactic","userProfileId":0,"userRating":null,"venue":"Tennis Court"}
