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Purpose

This drill works on improving a player’s foot quickness when a ball is hit behind him.   Focus on avoiding unnecessary steps in order to reach the ball as quickly as possible.

Set Up

Player and coach stand roughly 5 yards apart in an open space.

Instructions

  1. The first player in line jogs to a position a short distance in front of the coach.
  2. The coach throws the ball behind the player either to the right or left.
  3. The player calls for the ball (“MINE, MINE, MINE”), hesitates long enough to see which direction the ball is going and drop steps in that direction to make the catch.
  4. If the ball is thrown over her left shoulder she should drop step to the left for the catch. If the ball is thrown over her right shoulder she should drop step to the right and go with a backhand catch (if she is right-handed).
  5. The player throws the ball back to the coach and returns to the back of the line.

Coaching Tips

  • Make sure every player is hesitating long enough to see which direction the ball is going before she takes a single step. This will help her get to the ball faster than if she accidentally starts to run the wrong way and has to correct her direction.
  • As a player’s skill increases, increase the distance of the thrown ball.
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