Bunching on Court
Hi there, I'm coaching for the 1st time this year - a group of year sevens. During practice I keep reminding them to move to the open spaces and not to bunch up. However they don't seem to grasp this. I have blown the whistle mid game and they have to freeze and then we take a good look at our positioning then they move into an open space they could use. They are a very talented team. Is there any drill/strategy I can use in order to stop them all running towards the ball together. They are keen for sure. Thanks. Trish
I have U11s (Y5&6s). They have herding instinct because they feel if they do not get close enough to the player with the ball they will not pass to theml! 1. Try a slow motion passing exercise where you talk them through where they should be and why. It may be a little boring at first but short, regular practising should help until they start doing it for themselves. 2. Practise a thrower and a defender on a receiver - exaggerate running into a space (holding their ground 1st) and calling loudly for the ball, indicating with their hand at the same time where they want the ball to be received e.g. behind, left, right (but ahead of them as they are moving). I also praise them loudly, individually and as a group when they achieve what I have taught them most recently, they love it! LOL Good luck.
sportplan_netball
