Spider web
Why it works
Two things at once, which is why it is worth the eight minutes: the ring gets a catch every few seconds with no queue anywhere, and the player in the middle gets more throws and catches in one turn than he would get in a whole practice of anything else. It is also the only drill on the list where the hardest job rotates.
Run it
8 MINEverybody takes a turn in the middle. With seven that is about eight minutes. Time the laps and tell them the number.
Say this
“Middle, turn before you throw.”
Getting the feet round to face the next man is the whole job.
“Ring, hands up before it is your turn.”
You are one throw away at all times.
“Straight back, same height.”
A return throw at the chest keeps the lap moving.
Good looks like
- The lap gets quicker every time round without the throws getting worse.
- The middle's feet are always moving, never planted.
- Every player in the ring has hands up before the ball turns toward them.
- No ball hits the floor for a full lap.
The mistakes
Throwing across the body without turning, which is how the ball ends up at somebody's ankles.
Say: “Middle, turn before you throw.”
Standing with hands down until the ball is already coming.
Say: “Ring, hands up before it is your turn.”
Making the middle work for a bad return, which slows the lap and helps nobody.
Say: “Straight back, same height.”
Smaller ring, underhand, and call the next name out loud before throwing.
Two balls going opposite ways round the ring. Or the middle can throw to anybody and the ring has to stay ready.