Pairs Passing

Players split up into pairs and find a gate. Slap passes only, focus of this drill is receiving the ball from a stationary position. However, ensure all players are slapping the ball with correct technique and intervene if necessary. Once a successful pass and trap has been made through the gate then take a step back. If pass or receive is unsuccessful then take a step forward. Taking steps will increase the distance needed to pass. 2-3 minutes do the basic passing over distance. Players will need to start further back then they did for the push pass as a slap is used over a long distance and can generate more power, therefore speed. Slap hit technique: - The slap hit can be used quickly without changing your grip. Keep the hands apart in the dribbling or trapping position rather than bring them both to the top of the stick like you would in a hit. The backswing should be short and flat, with stick parallel to the ground.Keep the follow through low and your stick on the ground. If players want to lift the ball, angle the head of the stick upwards. This technique can be used both on the forehand and reverse of the stick. - However, some players prefer to have their hands together when they slap the ball. This alters the technique slightly: Two hands together at the top of the stick. Hit in front of the left foot. Back swing and follow through must be along the ground/ parallel. Toe of the stick is always facing straight up (right angles to the turf). Follow through is a quick knocking motion of the wrists. The ball should be hit down the shaft of the stick. This uses mostly wrists to develop power, but core rotation is also very important. Knuckles need to be almost touching the ground so good flexibility in the legs is vital. If executed correctly this skill should allow the full length of the stick to be used, the ball to be hit quickly along the ground and good deception. The more players slide the ball down the stick and then last minute flicks the wrists, the more angle the ball will get- this technique although can be used to do a normal slap is used for a 'disguised' slap. It gets it name as defenders don't know where the ball is going. The players body can be facing forward but the ball can go off to different angles- 90, 75 etc. - In the first 2-3 minutes players should practice a mix of forehand, reverse and disguised slapping. 1.) Players should look to take a couple of steps with the ball and then slap. If they stay up right and don't get low enough then they will miss the ball and it will go straight under their stick. The players have the whole half so they can move back as far as they like/ want to challenge themselves. If players gates are very small, then move them onto passing the ball along a straight white line on the pitch. 2.) The mini competition should first test the forehand, then the backhand and if enough players are confident then the 'disguised' slap. Players should all stand the same distance away from the cones and the cones should be a stick length apart. On the whistle the players should try to make 20 accurate slaps (tell them which one to do) as quickly as they possibly can. If they miss trap the ball, or the ball doesn't go through the gates or it doesn't reach their partner the score goes back down to 0. The last pair have to run around the whole of the group and then back to there set of cones. Encourage accuracy rather than rushing as more mistake are likely to be made if they panic and fling the ball. The longer it takes them to do the more likely they are struggling with that technique, so it may need to be reviewed.