ROLL LIFT

Key Points

Adopt the ready position.

Place the non-dominant foot alongside the ball.

Bend the knees and back to bring the head over the ball. This is the lifting position.

Keep eyes on the ball.

The ‘toe’ of the hurley should be pointed away from the body.

Note that both thumbs should be pointing towards the bas of the hurley.

Ensure the hurley is almost parallel to the ground before performing the lift.

Place the hurley firmly on the ball.

Roll the ball towards the body and slide the ‘toe’ of the hurley under the ball to lift it.

As the ball lifts release the non-dominant hand from the hurley into a cupped position allowing the ball to ‘fall’ into it.

Technical Drills

Drill 1 – Basic – Roll Lift

• This is a basic drill to practice the Roll Lift technique.
• Divide the group into pairs, one ball per pair.
• Ensure each pair has adequate space to perform the technique in a stationary position.
• One player in each pair roll lifts the ball repeatedly for one minute.
• Ensure each lift is performed correctly. Catch the ball properly each time and place it on the ground for each repeat attempt.
• The second player in each pair counts successful attempts by their partner.
• After 1 minute the players switch roles.
• Encourage players to beat their own record on repeat attempts.

Drill 2 – Basic –Roll Lift and Move

• This is a basic drill to practice the Roll Lift technique.
• Mark out a square or circle using cones.
• Position 1 player and one ball at each cone.
• Players roll lift the ball at each cone a set number of times before moving on to the next cone.
• To vary the drill, the players must carry the ball to the next cone after completing the roll lift.
• They then move onto the next cone and repeat the drill.

Drill 3 Intermediate – Agility Roll Lift

• This is an intermediate drill to practice the Roll Lift technique.
• Each player is required to roll lift the ball while turning and changing direction.
• Place 5 cones in a cross formation approximately 3 metres between each outer cone and the centre cone.
• The players form a line behind one of the outer cones.
• Place a ball at each of the other cones.
• The player at the beginning of the line jogs to the centre cone, roll lifting and replacing the ball at the cone.
• They then turn and jog to the cone on the left and perform a roll lift there, before returning to the centre cone again.
• They continue to each outer cone in a clockwise motion, returning to the centre cone each time.
• On returning to the first cone they tag the next player who repeats the drill.    

Developing the Skill

Grid Game 1 – Grid Swap

• This is a grid game designed to increase the speed at which players perform the Roll Lift.
• Divide the players into two teams of 5 players each.
• Mark out two grids approximately 5m by 5m with a distance of 10m between each grid.
• Assign a grid to each team.
• Line up both teams outside their grid.
• Place 10 sliotars in one grid.
• On the whistle, the first team must race forward, roll lift a ball each and return to place it in their own grid.
• The first team continues until all the sliotars have been moved.
• The second team then repeat the drill moving all the sliotars back to their own grid.
• The team who completes the drill in the quickest time wins.

Fun Game 1 – Roll Lift Musical Chairs

• This is a fun game to develop the Roll Lift technique.
• Mark out a grid 13m x 13m.
• 10 players work inside the grid.
• Each player begins with a ball.
• The balls are placed on the ground and the players jog slowly around the grid.
• On the whistle, the players quickly move to the nearest ball to roll lift it into their hand.
• One ball is taken away and the game continues.
• On the next whistle, the player who fails to roll lift a ball into their possession must leave the game.
• Continue to take away one ball after each round until one player remains.
• Players may compete for the ball.