Shooting Ducks

Skills

Kicking.

Purpose

Kicking the ball so a player can run onto it is an important skill. Kick too far in front, they ball won't hit it's target and will likely cause a turnover. Kick too far behind, the player has to wait and could get crunched. This drill practices kicking to targets moving horizontally, requiring the player to kick at an appropriate speed and suitable distance in front of the lead.

Groups of

Ages

9⁺

Balls/grp

Cones

Distance (max)

35m

Setup
Setup several playing areas (10 players per area) with 8 cones. Area is 20m wide x 35m long. Distance from (B to C) is 15m, distance from (C to D) and (D to E) is 10m. 5 players start at (A) to (E). The 5 interchange players must backup errant kicks - 1 stands behind (A), the other 4 stand behind line (E).
Step 1
On the whistle, (C) (D) (E) - who are standing in the middle of their line - start running shuttle runs between their cones. (D) runs in the opposite direction to (C) and (E).
Step 2
On a second whistle after a few seconds, (A) feeds a handball to the kicker (B), who kicks 15m to (C) who should run onto the ball and mark it without breaking stride.

(C) returns the ball back to (A) with a kick, then resumes shuttle running

If there's a bad kick, (C) can fetch if it lands close, otherwise one of the interchange players can gather and return to (A)

Meanwhile (D) and (E) are doing shuttle runs
Step 3
Once (A) receives the ball back, they again handball to (B) who this time kicks to 25m to (D)

(D) must be aware of what's going on while doing their shuttle run, as they will need to call for the ball

After marking, (D) returns the ball to (B) with a kick, substitutes help fetch errant kicks.
Step 4
(A) handballs to (B) and (B) finishes the circuit with a 35m kick to (E)
Step 5
The next kick goes to (C). Keep going so (B) is kicker for a 60-90 seconds.
Step 6
Blow the whistle to signify rotation. Interchange players replace active ones. Players progress 1 station when they return for their second turn.