Practice 1: Scan when you can

WHY USE IT

Promotes good awareness at all times, so players can identify where and who to pass to. This will encourage them to scan during a game. To begin with, players are placed within a technical practice to allow them to focus on their scanning.

SET UP

A rectangular area is split into two halves. Position six players, who are the servers, outside the area, one in each corner and two on the halfway line, opposite each other. Two more players are placed in the area, one in each half. Four of the servers have a ball. Two identical practices are set up and run simultaneously.

HOW TO PLAY

Players within the area receive a pass from one of the servers and then pass it to another server. Once they do this, they look to receive a ball from a different server and the practice continues in this manner. Rotate the players within the area regularly, and progress or regress the practice by adding or removing a ball.

COACHING POINTS

• Players within the area should identify where and who to pass to before receiving the ball. They must scan the area to identify which servers do not have a ball and are available to receive a pass. This should allow players to move the ball on quickly with limited touches.