The Bounce

Key Points

Walk out 4 steps.
Hold the ball with both hands.
Head down, eyes on the ball.
Release the ball into one hand, spreading the fingers behind the ball.
Extend the arm, pushing the ball into the ground with the ‘bouncing’ hand.
Extend both arms towards the ball as it returns into the hands.
Spread the fingers of both hands to create a ‘W’ shape and cushion the ball into the hands.
Hold the ball securely with both hands and bring it into the body.

Practice the Technique

Drill 1 - Basic - Stationary Bounce

Mark out a grid 20m by 20m
Each player in the grid has a ball
Each player practices the bounce while standing still
After a set period of time, each player moves around the grid in different directions, bouncing the ball after every four steps

Drill 2 - Intermediate - Bounce on the Move

Form lines of 4 players 8 to 10 meters apart.
Place a marker half way between each line.
The player in possession walks forward four steps before bouncing the ball and catching it again.
The player then walkson and hands the ball to the next player who repeats the drill.
Each player in turn moves to the back of the opposite line.
As the players become more proficient, get them to perform the drill while jogging and then to bounce the ball at an angle for their partner to catch.

Drill 3 - Intermediate – Alternate Bounce

Place 4 poles or cones in a line at 2 to 3 metre intervals.
Line the players up before the first pole.
The first player in the line runs out, bouncing the ball, rounding each pole on the way out and on the way back.
The player should use his outside hand to bounce the ball while rounding each pole.
This will mean using left and right hands alternately for each bounce.
Each successive player repeats the drill.

Developing the Technique

Fun Game 1 - Bounce King

Mark out a grid 20m by 20m.
Divide the players into two equal teams.
One team starts inside the grid with each player having a ball.
On the whistle, each player lifts the ball and moves around the grid in different directions, bouncing the ball after every four steps.
After one minute, whistle for team two to enter the grid.
Each member of team two attempts to dispossess a member of team one.
Switch the roles after a further minute.
The team who keeps possession for the longest time wins.

Fun Game 2 - Bouncing Space Invaders

Mark out a grid 20m by 20m.
Place hoops on the ground at various points within the grid.
On the whistle, each player lifts the ball and moves around the grid in different directions, bouncing the ball after every four steps.
Players must attempt to bounce the ball in as many hoops as possible in one minute.
The ball should not be bounced in the same hoop twice in succession.
The player who bounces the ball in the greatest number of hoops wins!