Traverse the Rectangle Handball

Focus

Skills under pressure, Contested ball, Decision Making, Run & Carry.

Skills

Handballing, Tackle, Shepherd.

Purpose

Good clearance practice. A team must work their way with hands through traffic with the support of players around the contest.

Players

18⁺

Ages

12⁺

Balls

Cones

Distance (max)

40m

Opp. tops

50%

Visible opposition strip: 50%

Setup
Mark a playing area 40m long x 20m wide and split into 2 teams. Each team has 5 "mobile" players allowed only inside the playing area, assisted by their remaining "static" teammates who spread around the perimeter of the playing area and cannot move from the spot they choose. There are two players playing for both teams (A & B) who receive handballs that score a point for the attacking team.
Step 1
Choose a team to start as attackers. (A) handballs to a player from the attacking team who must then handball (no kicking) to any free-running teammate inside the square. or to a static teammate on the perimeter.

The defending team attempt to win possession

Normal match rules apply.
Step 2
The idea is to work the ball the length of the playing area and then get the ball to (B). This scores that team a point.

Captain of each team can keep score for their team
Step 3
(B) handballs back in play to the same attacking team who just scored. They retain possession and attempt to work the ball back to (A) at the other end.
Step 4
Continue until a turnover is forced. Roles are then reversed with defenders becoming attackers.

Teams only score a point when they do a complete lap from (A to B) or (B to A).
Step 5
After 2 minutes or thereabouts, rotate (A & B) and the 10 mobile players with perimeter players.