Handball receive and run

Setup

1. Cone a 40 × 15 m channel. Three attackers start at one end with a ball.
2. One defender starts beside the channel 10 m in; a second waits in the middle of the far half.
3. Spare groups of five queue behind the start line.

How it runs

1. The ball carrier runs forward; a teammate comes past on the outside for the handball.
2. The third attacker shepherds the first defender to keep the runner's lane open.
3. The runner bounces on and uses the third attacker again when the second defender steps up.
4. Running through the end gate with the ball scores 1; a defender's touch or tackle ends the go.

Coaching points

• Runners come from behind and past the ball carrier, never level with them.
• Handball into the runner's path, a metre in front, at chest height.
• Shepherd side-on with arms tucked in, and only when the ball is within 5 m.
• Call it early: the runner shouts, the carrier doesn't need to look twice.

Common mistakes

• The receiver stands still and waits for the handball.
• Shepherds use their arms or bump front-on instead of holding their line.
• Handballing too early, before the defender has committed to the carrier.