GROUND STRIKING

Key Points

• Adopt the ready position
• The feet should be shoulder width apart with the ball in line with the forward foot.
• Slide the non-dominant hand into the Lock Position, bending the elbows to raise the hurley.
• Bend the knees slightly and with eyes on the ball, swing the hurley downward with a wristy action.
• Strike the ball ‘flat on’ with the bas of the hurley
• The body weight is transferred from the dominant leg to the non-dominant leg as the swing is completed.
• Keep the head down and follow through to at least shoulder height with the swing.

Technical Drills

Drill 1 – Basic – Striking a Tyre

• This is a basic drill to practice the ground strike technique.
• Divide the players into pairs, one pair per tyre
• Standing one to each side, each player in turn strikes the tyre
• After a set time or number of strikes the players change sides so that they strike from both dominant and non-dominant sides.

Drill 2 – Basic – Strike and Follow

• This is a basic drill to practice the ground strike technique and focuses on increasing the distance a player can strike the ball on the ground
• Line the players up on one side of the field, one ball per player
• Each player must attempt to strike the ball across the field in the least number of shots.
• Encourage them to improve their score on the way back.
• Alternate between using the dominant and non-dominant sides.

Drill 3 Basic – Striking in Pairs

This is a basic drill to practice the ground strike technique and also incorporates the ground block.

Divide the players into pairs approximately 10m apart, one ball per pair

Players in turn strike the ball to their partner, who blocks it and strikes back.

Alternate between using the dominant and non-dominant sides.

Drill 4 Intermediate – Striking in Pairs- Accuracy

This is an intermediate drill to practice the ground strike technique focussing on improving the players’ accuracy.

Divide the players into pairs approximately 10m apart, one ball per pair

Place two cones mid-way between both players.

The distance between the cones can be reduced depending on the ability and accuracy of the players.

Each player in turn strikes the ball through the cones to their partner who blocks it and strikes back.

Alternate between using the dominant and non-dominant sides.

Players can be awarded a score for every successful attempt at striking the ball between the cones and are encouraged to beat their partner’s score.

Drill 5 Intermediate – Goal to Goal

This is an intermediate drill which requires each player to use the ground strike to attempt to score a goal. It may also improve blocking technique.

Players pair off and face each other approximately 10m apart, using 2 cones to make a goal for each.

Each player in turn attempts to score a goal past their partner.

As the players improve increase the distance between them and reduce the size of the goals to increase the challenge of the drill.

Award 1 point for every goal scored with the dominant side and 2 points for every goal scored with the non-dominant side.

Developing the Skill

Grid Game 1 – Skittles

This is a target game designed to improve the accuracy of the players' ground strike.

Players line up in relay teams

Ten cones are positioned like skittles ten meters away from each team.

The first player on each team steps out and attempts to strike the cones with the ball

Award two points for every time a cone is struck and five points if a cone is knocked down.

Only one attempt is permitted per turn.

Each player must retrieve the ball and replace any cones knocked before passing the ball on to the next player in line

The captain of each team is asked to keep the score.

Grid Game 2 – Golf Goals

The aim of this target game is to encourage length and accuracy in ground striking.

Set up a course four goals, one at each corner of a grid 20m by 20m.

The width of each goal should be less than 2m.

Divide the group into teams of 4 players

The players in relay attempt to strike the ball through each goal in turn, counting the number of shots it takes from start to finish.

For example in the first team of four, Player A takes the first shot, Player B the second, Player C takes the third shot and Player D takes the fourth shot.

The team who completes the course in the least number of shots wins.

Fun Game 1 – 4 Goal Game

This is a modified game focussing on the ground strike which incorporates blocking and dribbling and will aid the development of decision-making and team play.

Mark out a playing area 30m x 30m.

Position a goal at each of the four corners.

Divide the players into two equal teams of 4 to 6 players

Each team defends two goals but no goalkeepers are used.

Vary the size of the playing area and the width of the goals depending on the ability of the players.