Homebase Corners

Focus

Skills under pressure, Decision Making, Run & Carry, Stoppages.

Skills

Kicking, Handballing, Tackle.

Purpose

Practice handball in tight situations with this drill designed to sharpen quick hands required in stoppage situations.

Players

22⁺

Ages

11⁺

Balls

Cones

Distance (max)

40m

Opp. tops

50%

Visible opposition strip: 50%

Setup
Create a playing area 20m wide by 40m long. In each corner of the rectangle, make a 3x3m square, and also a bonus point area (X) between the two squares at each end. Two players from yellow camp in the squares in opposing corners (A), as do 2 red players (B). No opposition players are allowed in these squares. Remaining players start anywhere in the playing area.
Step 1
Red start with the ball and must try to get the ball into the corner chosen by the coach. They do this with kicking or handball. The yellow team try to effect a turnover. Tackling is allowed unless coaching juniors or you want a lighter session.

Like a game, a kick must travel the minimum distance to prevent the opposition from tackling.
Step 2
The red team aim to kick or handball to their player in the corner square (B).

The player in the square (B) must catch the ball on the full to score the points
Step 3
Red can then try for a bonus point by kicking or handballing to a teammate in the bonus area (X). From their corner base red have 3 seconds to score this bonus point, after that no bonus is awarded for a delivery into that zone.

It's not essential to go for the bonus point if it's too risky and may cause a turnover.

Yellow should be looking to get bodies into the bonus area (X) to prevent the extra point
Step 4
Once the team succeeds in getting it into their homebase (and perhaps the extra point zone), they continue by attempting to work the ball back to their corner at the other end.

Coach should call out the score after a team reaches home base/scores a bonus point.
Step 5
If the ball is turned over, goes out of bounds or a scrimmage occurs, the yellow team gets their chance. They need to work it to the corner in the opposite direction red were heading.
Step 6
Scoring is as follows:-

Kick into homebase - 3 points

Handball into homebase - 2 points

Effective disposal from homebase into bonus areas within 3 seconds - 1 point
Step 7
Rotate the corner players during a changeover after a few minutes