The Fist Pass

Key Points

Support the ball in the palm of one hand in front of the body.
Face the target.
Swing back and extend the striking hand.
Keep the eyes on the ball.
Lean forward and strike through the middle of the ball with the fist, using the broad surface formed by the middle bones of the fingers, the side of the thumb and the heel of the hand.
Keep the supporting hand steady.
While striking the ball, step forward with the foot on the opposite side. Follow the strike through in the direction of the pass.

Practice the Technique

Drill 1 – Basic– Directional Fist Passing

Divide the players into groups of 5, one ball per group.
Mark out a distance of 10m using cones.
Two players stand at either cone, side by side.
Position the fifth player, ball in hand in the middle.
Themiddle player passes the ball to each of the side players who return it in turn, first to one side and then the other, over and back.
Continue the drill for a set time, and then rotate the middle player

Drill 2 - Intermediate - Fist Pass while Moving

Divide the players into groups of 5, one ball per group
Mark out a distance of 10m using cones.
Two players stand at either cone, side by side.
Position the fifth player, ball in hand in the middle.
Player A with the ball, passes to the player in the middle, who returns the pass as Player A moves forward.
Player A then passes to Player B who plays a one-two with the middle player and so the drill continues.
Continue the drill for a set time, and then rotate the middle player.

Develop the Technique

Fun Game 1 – Fist Pass Dodge Ball

Mark out a grid 15m by 15m.
Divide the players into a team of 6 and a team of 2.
The team of 2 players each have a ball and must try to score ‘hits’ on the other team by striking them with the ball using the fist pass.
The team of 6 must dodge about to avoid being hit.
Award one pointfor each hit, or the player who is hit must leave the game.
A hit is cancelled if the ball is caught without hitting the ground.

Fun Game 2 – Fist Pass Game