What Constitutes A "Hand Ball"?

One of the most misapplied calls is the "hand ball" call. Many think that if a ball touches a player on the hand or arm at ANY TIME it is automatically a hand ball - It isn't.

The RefBlog has a great write up on this and is recommended for all coaches and parents to read - click here to read it.

The rules are very clear on what constitutes a "hand ball", from Law 12 of "The Laws of the Game" on what is a direct kick foul -

"handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own goal area)"

The key word there is "deliberately". If a ball hits a player on the arm or hand, the referee is going to ask himself the question "Was that ball hitting hand or hand hitting ball?" If the referee thinks that it was the ball hitting the hand and the player did not touch the ball on purpose, then they will not make the call, because there was no foul.

Last season, one of my players tripped a fell down right in front of ball. The opposing player made a kicking move. My player covered her face to protect herself from the kick. The opposing player kicked the ball and it hit the back of my player's arm (covering her head). The referee did not call a hand ball and that was the correct call. Because my player was not deliberately trying to touch the ball, she was protecting herself from a kick and in the process the ball hit her.

So remember, the key word in a hand ball is "deliberate" action by the player. If there is no deliberate action by the player, there is no foul.

Shielding & Possession

Start with a 10 x 10 grid with a player in each corner and a ball in the middle.

When the coach says “go” all four players try to win the ball and maintain possession. The player who has the ball in their possession at the end of the round gets a point (the round lasts 10 seconds). There would be 10 rounds per game and the player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

In the beginning, players will try to get to the ball and dribble away from the opponents but they will quickly understand they need to win the ball, shield the ball from the opponents and accept some of the body contact that will directed their way. Players need to be reminded this is a contact sport and knocking a player off the ball with a legal shoulder charge is not only acceptable but expected. As long as it wouldn't be a foul in a regular game, it's permissible in this activity.

You can also vary the size of the grid and the time periods. You can change from a 10 x 10 grid to a 5 x 5 grid or change the time length from 10 seconds to 5 seconds.

Next you would have teams. The players on opposite corners are now teammates so instead of 1 v 3, it's 2 v 2.

Now, then the coach says 'go” the two reds are trying to win and keep the ball against the two yellows who are doing the exact same thing.

This adds the element of teamwork into the activity but still works on the same things as before.

This is a great activity to work on shielding, possession, competitiveness and will prepare the players for the type of contact they will see in real games.

Looping Runs

If the ball is on the far left side of the field and a runner is starting toward the middle of the field with a defender in front of him, if the space is available, it's in his best interests to make a looping run.

If the runner makes a straight run, it's easy for the defender to see the ball and the runner.

However, if the runner loops (or bends) his run, the defender will be forced to turn to see him and thus lose site of the ball.

The alternative to the defender losing site of the ball is they will lose site of the runner.

Either way, it puts the defender into a precarious situation as a good defender will try to always see the ball and the player they are marking.

The wider the looping run, the more difficult it is for the defender to bend the run out wide and see how many goal scoring situations you can get into.

Under 12 Drill - "Movement Off The Ball"

Begin with a player out wide with the ball, a player in the middle and a player on the far side. There is one keeper in goal and an opponent marking the far player.

The runner would read the one hole run and make a hard diagonal run in front of the defender. The central attacker would fill this space.

The player with the ball can either lead the diagonal runner with the ball or drive the ball to the bent runner.

The defender starts by overplaying one of the runs to make it easier for the player with the ball to read the situation but quickly, this changes to the defender being live and the player on the ball having to make the correct read each time. Next, add a second defender.

The player with the ball can now either play the ball to the diagonal runner, play the ball to the looping runner or, if the defenders take away those two runs, can dribble to goal and shoot.

The key to this activity is it's not a 3 v 2 scrimmage but rather, a given situation being recreated so players can learn to read space, read runs and make appropriate passes.

It's important for all players to get the opportunity to play each of the roles because not only might they find themselves in the position to make certain runs, they also will understand how to defend them if they understand the mentality of the attackers.

If you have a team of 17 players, you could have 3 players in each line, plus two keepers and if done at speed, the players will be sprinting to the next line in order to get there in time for their turn.

Under 10 Drill - "Accuracy Passing Under Pressure"

Setup:

Set up a field that is 20X20 yards. Four players should be in each of the corners with the remaining two players in the middle of the grid. One of the two players are working while the other person rests with their hands on their knees. Two balls are used and the ball starts in opposite corners.

Instructions:

Player 1 passes the ball towards the player resting, the working player jumps over the player resting and receives the ball and knocks it to the player to his right. As soon as the working players plays the ball back, the player on the other side of the grid plays a ball towards the resting player and the working player jumps him again, receives the ball and passes to the player on his right. The play continues in this manner. Each player should work for 60 seconds. Rotate all players.

Variations:

• Play 1 or 2 touch
• Use inside and outside of foot
• Move close and serve with their hands for volleys
  

Coaching Points:

• Good first touch
• Good work rate along with accurate passes

Under 8 Drill - "5v2 Box"

Setup:

Start by setting up a 12X12 grid. 5 attackers wear Alternate jersies, and the remaining players should pair up as defenders behind one cone with the supply of balls.

Instructions:

The first pair of defenders play a ball into the 5 attackers, and step into the grid and become defenders. The attackers should continue passing until the defenders win the ball, or the ball is knocked out of play. Once the play is dead, the next pair of defenders play into the same 5 attackers, and play resumes.

Variations:

• Adjust grid (larger = easier; smaller = harder)
• Introduce splits (split defenders, defenders do 10 pushups every split)
• Adjust the number of attackers (4 attackers vs 2 defenders)
  

Coaching Points:

• Vision
• Changes in the direction and speed of play
• Appropriate use of 1st touch
• Appropriate use of short or long passing
• Good passes to feet
• Good first touch
• Good decision making (make play easy)
• Speed of play/decisions