RUNNING WITH THE BALL CONTINUED
By this stage players should be ready to run with the ball over short and long distances.
So, in the best practice, there are two teams, five or six outfield players on each side with a goal line defendant who can manoeuvre only along his own goal line. i.e. in the diagram (below), lines A & E.
The aim of the practice is to be in possession of the ball running over your opponent's goal line.
So, in the diagram the green team must try and get one of the players running in possession with the ball over the line, A. Their opponents team (orange) the same, but over line E. If either achieves this they should be awarded five points.
To retain the competitive element alive throughout, and to prevent any one team just defending on its own goal line:
a) One point should be awarded for crossing into the opponents half. So the green team would get one point for crossing line C in possession of the ball, and so would the orange team playing in the opposing direction.
b) Two points should be awarded for the green team crossing line B in possession and also two points to the orange team if they cross line D in possession.
This should encourage both teams to defend early and away from their own goal line.
COACHES should insist that any player hoping to gain points by crossing any line is in total control of the ball and is moving forward.
The practice starts from the defending team bringing the ball into play from their own goal line. They can pass the ball about amongst themselves, the opposing team can tackle wherever they wish.
Throw-ins are taken when the ball goes out of play (no corner kicks) otherwise the normal rules of the game apply.
COACHES KEEP THE SCORE.
