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 walks on 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!