Korfball drills

Inshort: practise various forms of the shot in a fun competition format.

Organisation: each group a basket and a ball, the baskets are preferably (but not absolutely necessary) arranged in a circle or rectangle. The number of people per group is less important (all groups should be about the same size).

The first assignment for the groups is: make 10 walkthrough ball goals. When you are done, the creator of the last goal goes to the trainer to get the next assignment. Which group will have completed all assignments first?

The trainer walks around the room, encouraging or correcting the players. He has a piece of paper with a list of assignments. When someone comes to get the next assignment, first ask him which assignment he just completed (after a while this can vary considerably) and then give the next one. Here's an example: 10 walk-through balls, 15 penalty shots, 5 shots from 8 meters, 10 walk-through balls from behind the basket, 5 dodgeballs next to the post, 10 shots from 6 meters. Everything is possible of course, a lot of speed will come when the number of goals to be scored is kept small.

In short: shooting practise (-game) in which the players shoot from different sides of the basket.

Organisation: for every basket, one pair with one ball, or in case of insufficient baskets, two pairs with one ball each. Near each basket, four pawns or other markers: one in front of the basket and one behind it, and one to the left and right of the basket, at intervals of about 6 metres.

One of each pair starts under the basket. The other one's task is to score a goal as quickly as possible from each cone. After that, they will switch functions. Which pair will be quickest to complete their 'journey around the world'?

Variation: the distances can be made larger or smaller as desired. Or: make 2 goals at every pawn.

Variation: instead of shooting from standstill, you can also shoot from movement, or simply: take evasive balls.

Variation: Working with 2 pairs per basket. The two shooters are now asked to score two goals together at each pawn, it doesn't matter who scores the goals. So the team changes functions after 4 times 2 goals have been scored. At which basket is the first to score twice? (This variation was a favourite shooting exercise in my Nic. days. Much later I saw it again in a new jacket: the assignment had to be completed (in the hall) within 2 minutes, otherwise you had to run a certain distance as a punishment!

Beeping' can be a very tiring game, when at the end two players are completely matched! I have seen players break down completely!

The main consideration behind the above exercises is the fact that shooting from in front of the basket is usually preferred. And since a large part of the box is next to or behind the basket, you have to practice from those spots as well. And shooting from there is really different: not only because the baskets usually hang a bit forward, but also because the attachment to the post is clearly visible to the shooter, which affects the estimation of the correct distance and height.

Make sure you do not always stand in the same place, thus unintentionally favouring one of the teams.

Pure shooting is always important of course, but here it's all about scoring goals. When players play this game for the first time, they will be quite noisy at first, and there might be reactions like 'you can't do this' or 'I don't like it'. These reactions disappear after a short time, the players start to shoot very concentrated and the scoring improves by leaps and bounds. What seemed impossible at first, turns out to be possible after all!

In short: shooting game with distance shot and small chances. Sometimes this turns into a fitness exercise!

Organisation: 3-5 players per basket, with two balls. There is a pylon about 6 metres in front of the basket.

The players are numbered and stand in order at the pylon. The numbers 1 and 2 have a ball. Number 1 starts shooting. He catches his own ball.

If he hits the ball, he gives it to the next player in line. If he misses, he shoots again, from the place where he got the ball. If the shot is missed, he shoots again from the spot where he got the ball, until he scores, after which he hands the ball over to the next player in line. The shooter joins the back of the row and waits until it is his turn again.

Number 2 starts shooting as soon as number 1 has fired a shot. He also shoots as long as it takes him to score, then hands the ball to the next player in line and joins the row in front of the basket and so on. But ... If someone manages to score before the person who started shooting before him, then that person is out of the game! Who will stay over the longest?

An example: There are 4 participants. Number 1 scores immediately. He gives the ball to number 3 and gets in line behind number 4. Number 2 does not hit the basket, the ball rolls away. Number 3 shoots in the meantime, so number 2 is out of the game. Numbers 2 and 3 give the ball to numbers 4 and 1. It does not matter who gives the ball to whom: number 1 can wait with shooting until number 4 has shot.

In short: shooting game from various, increasing distances from the basket.

Organisation: pairs per basket. Preferably also about 6 markers per basket, but this is not necessary in the hall, where there are usually enough lines (stripes) on the floor.

The first shooter of each group starts shooting at 2 meters from the basket. After scoring, he/she starts shooting from 3 meters distance. When he has scored from there too, he will shoot from 4 metres and so on. When the shooter misses, it's the other team's turn. Which of the shooters has scored first from each 'line'?

In short: a game in which the groups get different shooting assignments.

Organisation: two, three or four teams per basket. The players take turns to shoot. After each task the groups leave the ball behind and move on to the next basket.

The baskets are spread around the room. The groups are divided over the baskets, where uneven size of the groups is not a real problem. The trainer gives an assignment (see below for some examples). The group that completes the task first gets a point. After that the groups all move one basket, especially when the circumstances per basket are different (sun, floodlights, puddles, strong wind, scoop baskets etc.). It also keeps the momentum of the game which is especially the case when the trainer allows the groups to start immediately, even if not everyone is ready yet. The winner is the group that has gathered the most points after, say, 15 minutes of play.

These exercises do not fit into a competition format, as there is a tendency to indicate something less difficult. When the goal is to learn or improve a certain technique, don't offer all the possibilities mentioned above in one training. Experience shows that the players will then 'show off' too quickly.

Suitable assignments are (at lower levels, smaller numbers of goals to be scored):

• 20 passing balls.
• 20 chances (always shoot from the spot where the ball is caught).
• 10 distance shots from 6 meters.
• 20 overhead runs from behind the basket.
• 6 dodge balls on the left
• 6 dodge balls on the right
• 20 penalty shots
• 10 dribble balls in a row (i.e. as soon as a dribble ball is missed, start counting from 0 again).
• 8 goals from starting away at the basket.
  
  

Also "crazy" assignments work very well in this game:

• Take 5 penalties with your eyes closed.
• Take 10 balls with one hand.
• 5 goals while the shooter is sitting on the ground.
• 10 passing balls, rolling in.
• 10 balls from half a meter in front of the basket, thrown backwards (over the head) into the basket, etc. The competition element plays a big role in this form, so it is not a suitable form to improve technique.

In short: practise passing the ball from difficult situations.

Organisation: three or four teams per basket, one or two people under the basket, two in front of it. After marking the ball, walk forward to make a fastball, i.e. turn around.

(a ) Bouncing balls, indicated by a bounce.

(b ) Signalling too late: take overhead walkthroughs.

(c ) Signalling too late: the runner runs (left or right) past the basket and raises the ball more or less sideways or diagonally backwards. If the runner takes off with the right leg, this movement is the smoothest and the shot is the cleanest if the runner runs past the post on the left.

d ) Passing the ball is done too late: the passer runs along the post and throws the ball with one hand over the head into the basket. I call this movement the Durk Bergsma-ball, after the Stânfries player who has a strong preference for this technique, which looks a lot like a basketball technique.

e ) The signalling happens too late: the ball is taken in the jump.

f ) The ball is passed too early: a 'long pull' ball should be taken with a long floating moment in the movement.

g ) The ball is not thrown but rolled (can also occur in matches when the ball is knocked out of hands, or after an unsuccessful bouncing ball for example).

h ) My favourite show-move: the ball is turned over a bit too early, so there is an opportunity to bring the ball around the body once during the one permitted pass (catch ball with right, bring it behind the back, pick it up on the left hand, bring the ball forward and take it in two hands) and only then shoot. Not immediately a move to execute in a close game.

Variations:

1 ) Passing is no longer done from under the basket, but from space. You can think of a place about 5 meters in front of the basket, which makes passing more difficult, but it is still possible to make the through ball. It becomes a lot more difficult when the declarator is positioned much further away from the basket, for example at 12 metres diagonally in front of the basket. Or even further: think of the situation where a pass ball is given from the defence in one go. To practice this -and many will like it-, the attacker has to stand at more than 20 metres from the basket!

2 ) All exercises with a defender next to the player who throws the through ball.

In short: a game in which the shooter gets three different kinds of chances in a row.

Organisation: two teams (possibly three teams) per basket, everyone starts under the basket.

Difficult passage ball.

Number 1 starts away from the basket, gets the ball immediately and takes the chance from close range. Number 2 catches the ball and passes it back to number 1, who has moved further away from the basket in the meantime. Number 1 shoots from a distance (the second chance). Number 2 catches the ball and passes it to number 1 for a walkthrough (the third chance). Then number 2 goes for a three shot, etc. A goal from the runaway and the through ball is awarded 1 point, the distance shot 2 points. Which pair (possibly trio) scores 25 points first?

Variations:

Trio' is very suitable as

a ) Trio with a distance shot, a dodge ball and a warming-up exercise at the beginning of the overhead pass ball (which is caught by the shooter himself).

b ) Perform everything behind the basket.

c ) Quartets: i.e. four shots at a time: first start away, then a distance shot, followed by a dodge (or a shot after a sideways movement) and finally a through ball.

In short: to practise shooting chances that arise after indicating from a position 10 metres in front of the basket.

Organisation: three or four players per basket. There is a fixed pointer who stands about 10 metres in front of the basket. The two or three work in turn.

a ) Number 1 throws at number 4 (the declarer) and runs diagonally forward. When he is about 8 metres from the basket, he gets the ball back. Then number 1 plays the ball to number 2 under the basket and runs after him for a through ball.

b ) Like a., but number 1 takes a dodge ball.

c ) As a., but number 4, when number 1 is about 8 meters from the basket, plays directly to number 2 under the basket, and number 1 takes a through ball 'without ball'.

d ) Again as a., but number 2 runs away from the basket as soon as number 1 has received the ball back. Number 1 plays to number 2 who then shoots. This situation can occur in matches when the defender of number 2 is very much aware of the action of number 1.

e ) Number 1 throws to number 4 and walks straight to number 4, receives the ball back and shoots with a half turn. This action has the best chance of succeeding if number 1, after playing to number 4, does not start running immediately, but waits until number 4 plays the ball inside (number 1 'jumps' into the ball, so to speak, and then takes a spin shot). I call this ball the Anno-ball, after Anno Sloot, former player of Goorecht and Nic., who scored at least 1 goal per game with this action, also in the transition class.

f ) The numbers 1 and 2 (and possibly 3) stand 'next to' server number 4 with about 5 metres between them. From there they take the balls, which are directly indicated by number 4. Each player catches his own ball and passes it back to number 4.

Inshort: practise all kinds of forms of the shot from a supporting position.

Organisation: pairs per basket, always one person under the basket and one person in front of it. Change after about 1 minute.

a ) One person in front of the basket at about 6 meters, the shooter stands under the basket. The shooter starts away from the basket (backwards), gets the ball and shoots immediately. The striker catches the ball.

b ) As exercise a., but the shooter only threatens with a shot, lets the defender jump in and then continues with an "underhand pull ball": a kind of private penalty throw from about 5 meters diagonally behind the basket. The Germa-ball - so called by me after Germa Woldhuis of Nic. who had success with this on a regular basis - is practised here. The server catches the ball.

c ) The starting situation is the same, but the shooter now gets a defender with him (some pairs cancel each other out). The defender's task is to decide which of the two possibilities (a. or b.) the attacker will have: he reacts deliberately too late (after which a shot must follow), or he follows the shooter too closely (thus giving the opportunity for an underhand draw). In exercises d., e. and f., the attacker plays free with one simple movement. An efficient way, which however requires a lot of technique (and therefore practice).

The first three exercises form the basis for creating shot opportunities in the post zone (e.g. in reaction to forward defending).

This ball only has a chance of succeeding when the defender is not too attentive, and must be executed as secretively as possible. The attacker should therefore not orient himself on his position by looking backwards or similar.

Situations as described in h., i. and j. occur in match situations, when the defender of the receiver under the basket has more eye for what is happening elsewhere in the box than for his direct opponent. Especially people who do a lot of catching work can benefit from these exercises.

d ) Exercise as b., but the shooter now walks away sideways and has to make a turn of almost 180 degrees towards the basket at the moment of catching the pull ball. In the learning phase, this exercise can also be started from a standing position, whereby the shooter stands still approximately 5 metres next to the basket and the server stands a few metres in front of the basket. The ball must be played on the outside.

e ) As d. now with the defender near the shooter (some pairs cancel). The defender comes running in quite fiercely.

f ) The shooter stands on the 'ideal passing position', half a metre from the basket. His defender stands between him and the post, without actually defending (i.e. with his hands downwards). The shooter throws the ball backwards into the basket with two hands.

g ) The 'shooter' stands about half a metre behind the basket with the defender in front of him. The defender defends well with his hands up and facing the attacker. The attacker now feints above the defender's head, as if he were trying to pass to someone in front of the basket. The defender reacts to this by turning around and lowering his hands, i.e. takes up a front defence position. As soon as he does so, the shot is made from half a metre behind the basket.

h ) The "declarer" stands about 5 metres in front of the basket. He shoots, but on purpose, a little bit over the basket. The archer who stands under the basket, catches the ball by taking one or two steps backwards from under the basket, and shoots immediately in one fluent movement.

i ) As h., but now the person under the basket shoots directly from a jump. The timing is very important now, and it's more like tapping the ball than shooting. Compare it with a set-up in volleyball.

j ) The 'attacker' stands about 7 metres in front of the basket and shoots over the basket again on purpose. The 'catcher' lets the ball pass over him, then runs after it and shoots with a half turn (bouncing the ball first).

Inshort: practise all kinds of forms of the shot in 'difficult situations'.

Organisation: pairs per basket, always one regular attacker and one shooter. Change after 1 or 2 minutes.

a )The declarer plays the ball about 1 meter to the left of the archer. He jumps as it were 'into' the ball, and shoots immediately in a fluent movement at the basket.

b ) As a., but now the ball is placed 1 meter to the right of the shooter.

c ) As a., but the ball is played left or right of the shooter, as the declarer chooses.

d ) The declarer gives a tight ball from under the basket. Just before receiving the ball, the striker, who is standing about 6 meters in front of the basket, steps backwards. He then shoots (from one leg) in one fluent movement. In this way, an attacker creates a lot of space for the shot. This way of shooting requires a lot of technique and/or strength.

e ) Same exercise as d., but now the shooter has a defender with him. The declarer must keep shooting as tight as possible. The archer will have the tendency to make the backward movement earlier, which he should not do: only at the moment of catching does the movement come backward, immediately followed by the shot.

f ) Exit situation: declarer under the basket, shooter at about 8 meters in front of the basket, with a defender near him. The attacker takes a step towards the basket and threatens to make a through ball. After the defender has started the backward movement, the attacker immediately draws back the front leg and shoots.

In short: practise various forms of the shot with a fixed defender.

Organisation: teams of four per basket, one fixed forward and one fixed defender, the other two take turns shooting. After about 1 minute, the players change functions.

All forms of the shot mentioned with the exercises with threes are eligible to be practised in this form of organisation. The purpose of these exercises with the defender present can be to have the shooter perform the exercises at full speed (e.g. when shooting through balls or just the distance shot): not give the opportunity to "aim"), to bring the shooter more in the "game situation" (shooting with a defender right in front of you is very different than calmly laying down for a distance shot), to give the shooter a feeling of the right moment (making an evasive move which is followed by a breakthrough instead of a distance shot is not difficult, it is mainly about the moment that the defender is in the wrong position and the final move must be made), to start away in all directions. Note: the required turn is not the same in all cases, a turn can even be omitted when starting away in the extension of the post. The shot is most difficult when the archer walks straight towards the declarer; in other cases the shooting is easier, but the pure marking more difficult.

Exercise o. is an example of a combination of two standard movements. There are more to come, for example: starting away from the basket, but after receiving the ball take a walk-through ball, or: dodge over right, receive ball, play ball inside again and continue with a dodge ball over left, etc.

Point well!

The exercises a., b. and c. are especially meant to be able to shoot a ball that is not well placed.

To teach at which place a movement should be started (e.g. at a break-through that is broken off very suddenly and is then followed by a shot from very close range or at which place a dodge movement should be started).

Most korfball players do not like shooting drills with defenders present. However, for the reasons mentioned above, I think that shooting under pressure should be done regularly. It is essential that the defenders know what their function in this exercise is: it is about ......(filling in one of the goals mentioned above) and not about making it impossible for the shooter to shoot. It is a breeze for a defender to prevent any shot: he knows what is coming. On the other hand, if an attacker does not do well, the defender should indeed try to block the shot, or not fall into the poorly executed feint.

Course of the exercises:

(using the example of taking evasive balls). The regular attacker stands under the basket with the ball, the two shooters stand about 10 meters in front of the basket, the defender stands near one of them. The attacker with the defender is running towards the basket, forces the defender to run with him, makes a sudden evasive manoeuvre, freeing him from the defender, receives the ball and shoots. The defender tries to obstruct, but is just too late to execute properly. Immediately afterwards, the defender passes to the second attacker, who does the same, etc. After about 1 minute or after, say, five shots both shooters switch functions.

Variation: the two archers stand about 6 metres in front of the basket and about 4 metres from each other. The attacker stands under the basket. The defender must now defend both archers. The attackers may play together a maximum of two times, then one of them must shoot.

In short: practise the standard forms of shooting with three people at the basket.

Organisation: each team has a basket and a ball, the exercises start with one person under the basket (with the ball) and two people in front of the basket. After the shot, the players keep on turning, which means that they have to catch the next ball and pass it to the other players. After passing the ball, another round of shooting follows. If necessary, the exercise can also be done with foursomes, the players just get a few less turns. If necessary, a pylon can be used for each basket.

a ) Passing balls in hand from about 10 metres in front of the basket.

b ) The same, but now overhead.

c ) As a., but the ball is first played forward from under the basket. The shooter places the ball back to the attacker under the basket and immediately runs after it to take the turnover ball.

d ) Shooting from a standstill from a distance of approx. 8 metres (also after the shot, run to the basket to catch the next ball).

e ) Shooting after a movement to the left or right from a distance of approx. 7 metres.

f ) Take evasive action on the left (start at the pylon at about 10 meter before the basket, at 5 or 6 meter before the basket make a sharp left hook).

g ) As f, now over the right.

h ) Take penalty shots.

i ) As d., but after the distance shot the shooter takes another walkthrough ball.

j ) The shooter threatens with a through ball, but stops very abruptly at about 3 metres before the basket (hoping that the defender "shoots through"), gets the ball and finishes the chance.

k ) The shooter makes an evasive move (over the left or right), gets the ball, but instead of shooting, takes a walkthrough. There are several ways to put the ball inside: with the "outside hand" - i.e. in a dodging movement to the right with a right-handed stretching throw -, with a bounce, by an overhand or an underhanded pendulum throw, or by catching the ball on the other hand with a left-handed stretching throw. There are several factors that determine which method is best, a good korfball player will have to master several ways.

l ) The shooter makes an evasive move, pretends to receive the ball (the attacker may make a feint), but takes a through ball immediately afterwards (so like c., but without the ball).

m ) The shooter takes a through ball, after a few meters he suddenly moves away. However, the evasive movement is not continued: there is that through ball anyway. I call it the Lucas move, after Albert Lucas who had a lot of success with it.

n ) Numbers 1 and 2 under the basket, number 3 (who has the ball) in front of it. Number 1 starts away from the basket, receives the ball, makes a half turn and shoots (= starting away from the basket). Number 2 catches, plays on number 1, starts away, receives the ball back, makes a half turn and shoots. Number 3 takes off etc.

o ) The shooter makes an evasive move on the right, receives the ball, places it back to the attacker under the post, and walks straight to the basket (so in the direction he just came from). He receives the ball back and shoots.