Description
The player will start around half a pitch length away from the coach. The coach will hold two tennis balls, When the coach drops the first tennis ball the player will accelerate towards the coach.
The coach can then decide whether to drop the second tennis ball or not. If the second tennis ball is not dropped the player will just continue sprinting until they reach the coach. However, if at any point the coach drops the second ball the player must decelerate and come to a stop as quickly as possible. The player should come to a stop using their arms for balance and a slight bend in the knees.
Variation 1: When the second ball is dropped the player must come to a stop and then reaccelerate again.
Variation 2: The player can decelerate but stop on one leg, focusing on balance and stability
Variation 3: When the second ball is dropped the player decelerates and changes direction to reaccelerate back to the start
Key Coaching Points
- Be explosive
- Arms and knee drives, big initial stride lengths to accelerate
- Soft "landing" when decelerating and coming to a stop