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Passing the Ball into Space

When you are playing in a game, it is not always necessary to pass from stick to stick. For example, if you have a two on one against a defender who is front marking, it would be necessary to get the ball to the attacker by using a through ball, which the attacker can run onto. You might suggest that the attacker can come back for the ball, but that would eliminate the speed of attack. Plus you would still have to beat the defender. It is not always possible to execute, but should be looked for by both attackers.

Where this particular type of play falls down is normally in the delivery of the pass. It is normally for one of the following reasons.

1. The pass is played with too much force. Therefore goes in front of the attacker and possession is lost.
2. The pass is played too softly and the defender intercepts the ball, again possession is lost.
3. The passer is not quite sure along what line to pass the ball.

We are going to give you two unopposed practices to begin to help improve this simple but potential match winning pass. I will upgrade these practices to become more game like soon.

1. The first is very simple. Everybody needs a partner. The first players rolls his ball, in any direction they please.
(not too hard, but not too soft).
2. The second player then has to try and time it so that their ball hits players one's ball. (from side on)
3. They then play a competition, for example first to score 5 hits.

There are two different ways to do this, you can either play it early and softer in time for it to hit the other ball, or you can play it later but then with a little more pace. Just like in a game, sometimes you must pass early in order to get the ball there in time, and sometimes you must pass a little later to use the extra pace to take the ball past the defender.