AFL · Ground balls · Handball

Ground ball gets

Players attack a rolling ball, pick it up cleanly and handball to a target.

SPT
Start / 4
Time
10 min
Players
4–12
Age
U8+
Area
20 × 15 m
Equipment
4 cones4 footballs

Setup

  1. A coach or server with the balls at one end, a line of players 10 m away.
  2. A target player stands 8 m to the side.

How it runs

  1. The server rolls the ball along the ground in front of the first player.
  2. The player runs on, bends low, picks it up two-handed and handballs to the target.
  3. Target becomes the next server's helper; rotate every go.

Coaching points

  • Get low early: bend the knees, not just the back.
  • Two hands on the ball, eyes on it until it's in.
  • Pick up on the run, don't stop over the ball.

Common mistakes

  • Reaching down with one hand.
  • Slowing to a stop before the pick-up.

Say it: “Bend low, two hands.”

Make it harder

  • Roll the ball on an angle.
  • Add a chaser from behind.

Make it easier

  • Roll the ball slower and straight.
  • Let the player stop to pick up.

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.