Across the Blockers
Two passing pairs look for a ground route across a central interception strip while receivers move along the far edge.
- 10 min
- 6–12 players
Warm-up · U14
Two Ball Awareness
Two central receivers circulate separate balls while checking which outside server is free and avoiding the other ball’s route.
- Duration
- 8 min
- Players
- 8–16 (ideal 8)
- Scanning
- Passing
- Receiving
Setup
Step 1 of 2
One complete 8-player group is shown. Two blue receivers share the middle. Six teal servers spread around the outside. Start one ball at server 1 and another at server 4; stagger the initial deliveries.
Coaching points
- Setup: Two blue receivers share the middle. Six teal servers spread around the outside. Start one ball at server 1 and another at server 4; stagger the initial deliveries.
- Play: Each receiver controls their own delivery and connects with a free outside server. That server returns the same ball to a central receiver who is ready. A server holding a ball cannot receive the other one; wait when a route crosses the other delivery. Count controlled receive-and-connect cycles, not speed.
- Reset and rotation: Keep the two balls independent; pause and restart from two opposite servers if the routes become confused. Rotate both central roles after 45 seconds and give a short recovery before the next bout.
- Numbers: The diagram shows 8 players. With up to 16, use a second complete group in a separate area. Odd spare players rest off the area and rotate into a playing role every 45 seconds; everyone has equal turns.
- Coach focus: Check the outside server’s readiness before receiving. Look beyond the ball to notice the other receiver and avoid sharing a target at the same moment.
- Safety: Gentle ground service and comfortable movement; no collisions or forced one-touch play. Stagger starts and stop both balls whenever a path or receiver is unclear.
Equipment
- Ball · 3 per group, including a spare
- Flat Marker · 4 per group for field and zone corners, in addition to pictured markers
- Bib · 8 per group; colours match the pictured roles
Progressions
- Easier Use one active ball while the second receiver observes and calls a free server; swap roles halfway through the bout.
- Harder Choose a different free server from the one who just delivered, while preserving a safe clear route.
