Duel warm-up

WHY USE IT

Allows players to work on their ability to retain possession of the ball individually. It also allows players to develop key physical attributes, such as agility, balance and strength.

SET UP

Mark out an area relative to the age, ability and number of players expected. Split players into pairs; each pair has a ball.

HOW TO PLAY

Players aim to retain possession of the ball while their partner tries to win it from them. If their partner does win the ball, they aim to keep hold of it. After a set period of time, the players in possession win a point. Players then change partners and the practice continues.

Possible adaptations:

• A small area can be added to the main area. Players then win a point by travelling through it. The player with the ball at the end of the practice wins an additional point. The player with the most points wins.
• Players can be split into two teams, no longer working in pairs. A small number of balls (three or four) are used and the teams try to keep possession of all of them. At the end of the practice, the team who has possession of the most balls wins.