Hoop catch
Ball tracking drill for 2 to 16 players. Focus: read the toss early; ball comes down in front of you.
What you need
- Players
- 2 to 16 players
- Time
- 4 to 6 min
- Level
- Beginner
- Equipment
- Balls, Hoop
- Ball fed by
- The players
- Space
- Half a court
Setup
- Partners about 4 m (13 ft) apart, one ball and one hula hoop per pair.
- The holder grips the near edge of the hoop with both hands, hoop flat at waist height.
- The tosser throws two-handed underhand, high, two or three steps to either side of the holder.
How it runs
One partner holds a hula hoop flat in front of their belly button. The other tosses a high ball a few steps away. The hoop holder moves under it so the ball drops through the hoop and lands in front of their feet, which is right where a pass would be played. After ten, swap, then go straight to passing.
Time and reps: 10 tosses, swap, then go straight into a passing drill.
Coaching points
- Move as soon as the ball leaves the tosser's hands, not when it starts to drop.
- Get there early and wait, instead of lunging at the last second.
- Keep the hoop flat and steady; move your feet, not your arms.
- The ball should come down in front of you, just like a pass.
Ways to change it
- No hoop: let the ball bounce once just in front of your feet, then catch it.
- Toss short and deep as well as left and right.
- Finish each rep by picking up the ball and passing it back to the tosser.
Make it easier or harder
Make it easier
- Toss higher and only a step or two away, so there is more time to get there.
Make it harder
- Toss lower and farther, and start the holder facing sideways.
