CHECKING

Key Points

• Position the body between the opponent and the goal.
• Keep the feet wide and bend the knees.
• Lean slightly forward.
• Extend the arms to either side with the Hurley held one handed.
• Keep one foot slightly ahead of the other to aid stability and enable a quick change of direction.
• Use short steps to shadow the opponent and avoid crossing the legs.
• Once the ball is in sight, or as the ball is being played, attempt to intercept it with the Hurley or open hand.

Technical Drills

Drill 1 – Basic – Zig-Zag Solo – No Ball

• This is a basic drill to practice the Checking technique.
• Mark a grid 8 to 10m square using cones.
• Divide the group into pairs.
• Player A runs in a zigzag manner from one side of the grid to the other until they reach the end of the grid.

• Player B facing player A, attempts to maintain the ‘check’ position throughout.
• Change roles and then repeat the drill.

Drill 2 – Intermediate – Zig-Zag Solo – With Ball

• This is an intermediate drill to practice the Checking technique.
• Mark a grid 8 to 10m square using cones.
• Divide the group into pairs.
• Player A solos in a zig zag manner from one side of the grid to the other until they reach the end of the grid.

• Player B facing player A, attempts to maintain the ‘check’ position throughout, but may not tackle the ball.
• Change roles then repeat the drill.
• To vary the drill, Player B must attempt to shadow the opponent.
• As the players become more proficient, allow player B to attempt to flick or the ball away from player A as the player solos the ball.
• Encourage players to only attempt dispossession when the player in possession is soloing or catching the ball.

Drill 3 - Intermediate –Check Solo

• This is an intermediate drill to practice the Checking technique.
• Mark out a grid 8 to 10m square using cones.
• Divide the group into pairs; one player is as the attacker, the other the defender.
• On the whistle, each pair race around the near corners of the grid.
• The attacking player must attempt to pass the defender to reach the far end of the grid.
• The defending player attempts to check the player to delay their progress.
• The defending player may not touch the attacking player.
• Change roles and then repeat the drill.
• As the players become more proficient, introduce a ball and allow the defending player to attempt to flick the ball away as the attacking player solos.
• Encourage players to only attempt dispossession when the player in possession is soloing or catching the ball.

 Drill 4 - Intermediate – 1 V 1 to goal from 30m line.

• This is an intermediate drill to practice the Checking technique.
• Divide the group into pairs; one player is as the attacker, the other the defender.
• Beginning 30m from goal, the attacking player must attempt to round the defender and shoot for a score.
• The defending player attempts to check the player to delay their progress and attempt to flick the ball away as the attacking player solos the ball.
• Change roles and then repeat the drill.
• Encourage players to only attempt dispossession when the player in possession is soloing or catching the ball.