Quicker Held Ball Violation Game

Focus

Games & Races.

Skills

Preliminary Moves & Passing, Footwork & Agility, Defensive Moves, Vision & Quick Decisions.

Purpose

Simulate a more frantic affair by reducing the held ball rule time limit. This makes players think quicker and work harder.

Difficulty

Medium

Players

10⁺

Balls

Cones

Opp. tops

50%

Visible opposition strip: 50%

Setup
Form 2 evenly matched teams. If 12+ players use full-court, else use 2/3 of the court as playing area. All attackers and 2/3 of defending team start on court, remaining defenders on sideline. Let players know they can start and move anywhere on court, and the held ball rule is 2 seconds, not 3.
Step 1
(A) starts in the centre with a ball. The purpose is to retain possession, not to score.
Step 2
On 'go!' (A)'s team-mates must work hard to find space, conscious of the fact that (A) must pass quickly.

Having less time to pass means (A) must be more instinctive and pass to the first viable option seen.

(A) should still very quickly size-up options, however needs to do this even quicker
Step 3
(A) dishes a pass to a team mate who faces the same predicament of needing to pass more quickly

Defenders should look to cover the easy pass to the closest player - this will be the obvious option given the extra time pressure they're under

If there is a held ball, quickly pause to coach if required, continue play.
Step 4
At 30 second intervals, introduce defenders on sidelines one-by-one.

This turns up the heat on the attack even more.
Step 5
Have a breather after 60-90 seconds; rotate attacking and defending teams; restart.