AFL · Ground balls · Handball

Scoop and handball race

Players roll the ball out, chase it, scoop it up cleanly and handball back to the next team-mate in a team race.

A1A2A3B1B2B3
Start / 4
Time
10 min
Players
6–16
Age
U6+
Area
15 × 15 m
Equipment
2 size 2–3 footballs (one per team)4 cones

Setup

  1. Put two start cones 6 m apart and a pick-up cone 8 m out from each.
  2. Teams of three to five line up behind a start cone.
  3. The front player in each team holds the ball.

How it runs

  1. Roll the ball out along the ground towards the pick-up cone, then chase it.
  2. Scoop it up on the run, turn and handball back to the next player at the start cone.
  3. Jog to the back of your line; the next player rolls it out and goes.
  4. First team where everyone has had two turns wins.

Coaching points

  • Get low early; bend your knees, not your back.
  • Run beside the ball and pick it up next to your front foot.
  • Two hands on the ball, eyes on it until it's in your hands.

Common mistakes

  • Reaching down with straight legs and fumbling it.
  • Running past the ball or kicking it along.
  • Rushing the handball before turning to face the target.

Say it: “Knees bent, eyes on it, two hands.”

Make it harder

  • Coach calls "left" or "right" for the side you pick it up on.
  • Roll the ball harder so it bobbles more.

Make it easier

  • Ball sits still on the pick-up cone instead of rolling.
  • Carry the ball back and hand it over instead of handballing.

Pairs well with

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.