Race to the Ball Tree

Focus

Fitness Conditioning, Games & Races.

Skills

Footwork & Agility.

Purpose

A drill to get everyone puffing, it's a speed race requiring a leap and fast disposal

Groups of

Ages

6⁺

Balls/grp

Cones

Distance (max)

Setup
Mark 2 x intersecting 'finish' lines with cones, dividing the court into thirds widthways. Form groups of 3 according to pace - each has 2 balls and finds a place on the side-line with about 4m total width. Trio chooses a starter (A), and 2 x runners (B & C).
Step 1
(A) stands 1m inside the sideline and holds 2 balls aloft - one in each hand. (B & C) start within and arms reach of (A) and prepare for a race.
Step 2
(A) shouts "ONE!" which starts the race between (B & C) to the first finish line (1)

"ONE" represents the order of the finish line.
Step 3
(B & C) sprint to touch the first finish line, turn around and sprint back to leap and take their ball held aloft by (A), then land+pivot+pass to (A)

(A) needs to be aware that 2 balls may be passed at them in quick succession - use one hand for each!

(A) makes a note of mismatches in pace
Step 4
Rotate everyone one station (A to B - B to C - C to A) and give the 2 balls to next (A)
Step 5
(A) hold the 2 balls aloft, but this time shouts "TWO" and players race to second line and back before the jump-pluck-pivot-throw.
Step 6
Repeat a third time, calling "THREE" to set finish line to opposite side-line.
Step 7
Finish with a couple of minutes where (A) can choose to call "ONE", "TWO" or "THREE" to set a random finish line

Optionally, starter (A) may award slower players in a pair a step or two headstart to even things out