Jumping for the Handball

[Niximus]

Does anyone know if this is a coaching instruction?

We seem to do it all the time. A little jump so that we collect the handball in the air, the result is that we take that half-second longer to get moving and get caught with the ball.

 

[Damp Squarie]

I havent noticed it,Im sure it wouldnt be a coaching instruction.

I think a lot of our getting caught with the handball is a result of referred pressure.

Too many times we seem to want to play on at all costs and then realise there is no one to kick it when we've run around the mark so we handball it to a flatfooted rabbit caught in the headlights.

 

[WALL-e]

A couple of times v Collingwood Porps intercepted the handpass.

Only problem is when you jump you take yourself out of the next bit of play.

 

[Niximus]

A couple of times v Collingwood Porps intercepted the handpass.

Only problem is when you jump you take yourself out of the next bit of play.

I'm not talking about massive dives or anything, just little two-footed jumps up to receive the handball, often it seems like a pointless jump as the player is on their own.

 

[buddyruff]

I would say they perform a little jump to hit the ground running when they recieve the ball. It allows the player to change direction alot faster as opposed to standing flat footed.
If you watch cricket, you'll see players do this as the batsman is about to play a shot. It alows for quicker movement and faster reaction time....

 

[jamesclean]

pretty basic skill... it's drilled in.

depends at which point in their stride they are at

 

[ltdamn]

It's instinctive and it's related to confidence - it's about getting higher than the ball to make it easier to receive and harder to drop. It's the handball receiving equivalent of marking on the chest instead of out in front of your face.

Problem is when you do it you can't change direction or dispose of the ball effectively until you return to the ground. I had a coach years ago who was red hot on eliminating it wherever possible and punished us with pushups whenever we reverted to it - let me tell you, when you make an effort to stop doing it, you really notice just how often you were doing it in the first place.

The really good players just never do it. I don't recall Andrew or Darren Jarman ever needing to leave the ground to receive a handball and that's one of the reasons why they were the best at flicking it on straight away.