Activities · game · 12 min
Touchdown game
Run to the empty space, ahead of the ball.
Principle
Advantage starts without the ball: who runs first makes the space.
Set-up
Full court, two teams, one ball. The area behind each baseline is the end zone.
Rules
No dribbling. With the ball you may take up to three steps. Score: catch the ball in the end zone. Tagged with two hands while holding the ball: pass within three counts. After a score or an interception play goes straight the other way.
Scoring
Touchdown = 1. Touchdown within five seconds of winning the ball = 2.
Where this fits
Period P1 · Transition & fullcourt
By layer
| Layer 0Aware | Play freely; say it out loud when someone runs to empty space. |
| Layer 1Control | Catch on the run and choose at once: run yourself or pass. |
| Layer 2Shape your own | Take a defender with you on purpose to make space for someone else. |
| Layer 3Shape others | Let the team make a plan: who runs deep, who comes to the ball? |
How do you coach it?
Player-centred: variation, questions and room to find a solution.
Precise correction of form is not the criterion here.
Read more5
Works on
Running lanes, finding space without the ball, running ahead of the ball, catching on the run, switching at once
Easier
Smaller court, four steps.
Harder
One step with the ball; a catch only counts if you land in balance.
Question to observe
Do they run to empty space or to the ball?