Bounce Back Play

Objective

• -Link a wall pass into a quick attack
• -React to the second ball after a turnover
• -Support the player on the bounce

Setup

1. 1Create a 26 x 20 yard area with one mini goal at each end.
2. 2Set two neutral bounce players in the middle wearing bibs.
3. 3Split the rest into two teams starting at opposite ends.
4. 4Keep spare balls by the coach for immediate restarts.

How to play

1. 1Teams attack through the bounce players, who must play one-touch back.
2. 2If a team loses the ball, they must recover and try to win it back straight away.
3. 3A goal can only be scored after using at least one bounce pass.
4. 4Restart quickly from the coach after a goal or ball out.
5. 5Change the bounce players every few minutes.

Progressions

• +Switch To Score: two switches before scoring
• +Five Second Counter-Press: three seconds to win it back
• +Target Zone Bonus: only goals started from a pocket count
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Switch To Score: switch earns a bonus point rather than being compulsory
• -Five Second Counter-Press: eight seconds and fewer opponents
• -Target Zone Bonus: widen the pocket zones
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Switch To Score — A goal only counts after the ball has been switched from one side of the pitch to the other.
• -Five Second Counter-Press — On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.
• -Target Zone Bonus — Extra points for playing into marked pockets between the lines before finishing.
• -Overload Rotation — One team plays with an extra player for two minutes then the overload rotates.
• -Restart Realism — All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
• -Two-Goal Decision — Each team attacks two small goals, so defenders must decide which threat to cover.
• -Limited Touch Build-Up — Maximum three touches in your own half, unlimited once you pass the halfway line.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Standing after passing
• -Using the bounce too late
• -Poor timing of support runs