DOUBLING BACK

Key Points

• Adopt the ready position.
• Focus on the flight and pace of the approaching ball.
• Move the feet so that the shoulders and hips are aligned with the flight of the ball.
• Whether the ball is hit from the dominant or non-dominant side is determined by the position of the moving ball.
• Having decided to strike the ball on a particular side, slide the non-dominant hand up the handle of the hurley to adopt the lock position.
• Raise the hurley into an upright position to start the swing.
• With eyes on the ball, swing down to connect with the ball close to the body in line with the lead foot.
• Keeping the head down follow through in the direction from which the ball came.
• Concentrate on connecting properly with the ball rather than powerfully at first.

Technical Drills

Drill 1 – Basic – Doubling Back

• This is a basic drill to improve the Doubling Back technique while attempting to score a goal.
• Divide the players into pairs, one ball per pair.
• Mark out a goal approximately 3m wide for one player to act as goalkeeper in each pair.
• The second player stands 15 to 20m away.
• The goalkeeper strikes the ball low for their partner to double on in an effort to score a goal.
• To score, the player must double on the ball first time.
• If the player stops the ball or takes more than one touch, the score is not counted.
• The goalkeeper must attempt to block the shot.
• Count how many goals can be scored in a set time.
• Reverse the roles and repeat the drill.

Drill 2 – Intermediate

• This is an intermediate drill to practice doubling on the ball.
• Divide the players into groups of 3, two balls per group.
• Mark out a distance of approximately 40 to 50m using cones.
• Position one player at each of the cones with a ball.
• Position a third player in the middle of the cones.
• In turn, the outer players strike the ball from the hand for the middle player to double back.
• After a set time change the middle player.

Developing the Skill

Fun Game

• This is a fun game to help develop the players’ ability to double on the ball.
• Mark out a circle using cones.
• Divide the players into two teams.
• Position one team outside the circle and the other inside the circle.
• The outside players must strike the balls low into the circle.
• The players inside the circle must attempt to keep the circle clear by doubling on each ball as it arrives.
• If the ball is not doubled back first time, and before it comes to a stop, it must be left in the circle.
• After a set time, or when all the balls are in the circle, reverse the role s of the team.
• The team with the least amount of balls in the circle after a set time are the winners.