High and tight ball carrying

Setup

1. Set four cones in a zigzag, about 8 yards apart, with an end cone near the coach.
2. Carriers line up at the start with a ball each, 5 yards apart.

How it runs

1. The first carrier jogs the zigzag, going round the outside of each cone.
2. At each cone, switch the ball to the arm away from the cone.
3. Finish past the end cone with two hands over the ball, then jog back down the side.
4. The next carrier goes when the one in front reaches the second cone.
5. Two rounds at a jog, then two at three-quarter pace.

Coaching points

• Fingertips over the point of the ball.
• Ball pressed against the forearm, bicep and ribs, elbow tight to the body.
• Ball high, near the armpit, not swinging at the hip.
• Carry it in the arm away from the defender (here, the cone).
• Switch arms in front of the chest, both hands on the ball during the switch.
• In traffic, cover the point with the other hand too.

Common mistakes

• Swinging the ball out away from the body while running.
• Elbow out, leaving a gap between the ball and the ribs.
• Keeping the ball in the same arm the whole way.
• Switching arms behind the back or with one hand.