Wall down-ball

What you need

Players

1 player

Time

4 to 6 min

Level

Intermediate and advanced

Equipment

Ball, Wall

Ball fed by

Not needed

Space

A solid wall

Ages

11+

Setup

1. A solid outside wall on a hard surface, with permission. Nothing breakable nearby.
2. Stand about 3 m (10 ft) from the wall with one ball.
3. Toss, hit it down at the bottom of the wall, catch the rebound.

How it runs

Arm swing practice against a wall. The player tosses in front of the hitting shoulder and hits the ball down hard at the bottom of the wall. It pops back up off the wall and the player catches it, resets and hits again.

Time and reps: 3 sets of 10 hits, catch after each, 30 s rest.

Coaching points

• Toss in front of your hitting shoulder.
• Elbow high and back, like pulling a bow.
• Reach up and hit the top of the ball; snap your wrist.
• Control first: same spot, same rebound, then hit harder.

Ways to change it

• Easier: hit it softly at the wall from a standing toss.
• Harder: keep it going, hitting every rebound without a catch.
• Swap hands for a few to train the other arm.

Terms on this page

Down-ball

A standing hit with an arm swing but no approach and no jump.

Safety at home