JUNIOR TOUCH BASICS level 1 & 2

JUNIOR TOUCH BASICS level 1 & 2 Catch... 2 Carry... 3 Passing (orthodox)... 4 Effecting the Touch (When in Possession)... 5 Roll Ball... 6 Acting Half... 7 Tap Off Penalty... 7 Defending... 8 General... 9 Two Man Rucking... 10 Two Man Rucking (Option)... 11 Three Man Rucking... 12 Spiral Pass... 13 Wrap... 14 Switch... 15 Rope Defence... 16 www. junior touch.com.au Junior Touch Basics page 1

Catch 1 Forearms up and in front, with elbows bent. 2 Call for the ball from the passer. 1 3 Eyes should have view of passer s hands and the ball. 4 Present Target to passer - hands with fingers facing up and thumbs and first fingers making a (W) with space between thumbs. Hands should be relaxed forming the shape of the ball. 4 5 Turn upper body towards ball, be relaxed. Watch ball all of the way into hands. Receive and carry ball in front of chest. 6 When catching on the move, foot farthest from the passer should be forward as ball is received. (This allows for the upper body to rotate and face the Passer) Refer to 5 also. 5 Junior Touch Basics page 2

Carry 1 Thumbs should spread over the top two panels of the ball. 2 Fingers spread gripping bottom two panels 1 3 Hold ball firmly in the middle. 4 Carry ball in the 12 o clock / 6 o clock position i.e. one end facing up and the other facing the ground. 5 Arms should be bent at the elbow, carry the ball about sternum position away from the chest. 4 6 Carrying in this position allows you to keep your options open. You are in position to pass in either direction and also ready to make a touch with either hand. This carry also creates uncertainty among defenders as they are not sure which option will be taken. 6 7 When effecting the touch, place ball on chest with opposite fingers, thumb and forearm gripping and protecting the ball in sternum position. Junior Touch Basics page 3

Passing (Orthodox) 1 Fingers spread, firmly holding ball in the carry position. 2 2 Turn fingers to pointing downwards with arms drawn back to side opposite target and ball still in 6 o clock position. 3 Commence passing action with foot farthest from target forward.( allows for the upper body to rotate and face the Catcher) 4 Shoulders, arms and hips rotating towards target. All should be relaxed. 5 Foot closest to target stepping towards target. 6 6 Eyes remain on target while arms and hands travel across body directing ball to target. Use wrist and fingers (snap) on release of ball. 7 Follow through with hands and arms on release of ball. After release fingers should be pointing towards target. 7 8 Try to have the ball travel through the air in the 6 o clock position with target between waist and chest and slightly in front of receiver. Junior Touch Basics page 4

Effecting the Touch (When in Possession) 2/3 1 Do not attempt to beat defenders in impossible situations. 2 Be proactive and effect the touch to promote second phase play. 3 Always try to get to side of defender and not in front. This allows you to follow through and clear roll ball area. 6 4 Ball should be in carry position in both hands, in front of chest around sternum area. 5 Touch is made with hand closest to the defender. The other hand secures the ball against the chest. 6 At the time the touch is made, body should already be bent preparing for the roll ball. 7 Touch must be made before the ball is released. 7 Junior Touch Basics page 5

Roll Ball 1 Be square on to your score line. 2 Ball held firmly against chest. Held by hand opposite that making the touch. 4 3 Once touch is effected bend knees and stoop to allow you to firmly place the ball on the ground. 4 Ideally the ball should be placed inside front foot and between legs. Front foot will usually be on the side you are making the touch. 5 Ball should always be placed firmly on ground and never rolled. 6 On follow through, rear foot should pass over the stationary ball. 7 Move forward to clear roll ball area and leave acting half unimpeded. 7 8 Ball should be placed parallel to the score line to allow acting half to pick it up in passing position. Junior Touch Basics page 6

Acting Half 1 Approach ball slightly from side farthest from target. 3a 2 Take step towards target as you bend to handle ball. 3 In one motion, sweep ball from ground in passing motion towards target. (See Passing for target and release). 4 Pass should be weighted for ease of the catcher. 3b 5 Process can be made much easier if the target player calls clearly. Tap Off Penalty 3c 1 Place ball on mark as directed by referee. 2 Take both hands off ball. 3 Tap ball with foot. 4 Avoid placing foot on top of the ball to tap as this delay the pickup and balance. 3/4 5 Pick up ball with both hands and play on. Junior Touch Basics page 7

Defending 1 Defenders should clearly identify who they are marking. Call out selection or point out the attacker being covered. 2 Move forward off the defensive line to effect the touch if possible. 4 3 Move to the outside of targeted player to ensure that attackers cannot go around defence always have more defensive support back on the inside. 4 Make touch in front and not to the side if possible. 5 Push back off the touched player. This allows defender to retreat the 5 metres as quickly as possible. The player making the touch should retreat towards the shorter defensive side. 6 When retreating to the defensive line, do not turn your back. Run backwards or side on with a clear view of the roll ball area. 5 7 Do not take dummies. Junior Touch Basics page 8

General 1 Communication is essential in attack and defence. Encourage players to talk. 2 Ball must be cleared from the ruck area as soon as possible. Acting halves should be encouraged to pass off quickly. 3 When rucking, receivers should always take the ball on the run and never standing still. 4 In attack, players should always call for the ball. 5 In defence, do not leave the defensive line too early. Referee will call the defender out of the play thus leaving a gap in the line. 6 Do not substitute in defence. 7 It is important to encourage players that when making the touch in attack, it should be made between defenders. When making the touch in defence it should be in front of the attacker or slightly to the outside. Junior Touch Basics page 9

Two Man Rucking Purpose ª A low risk method of promotion of the ball. 1/2 Ideal play for changes of possession as it involves only the two players and allows others to plan attack or even to substitute. 1 Player (a) rolls ball and player (b) is acting half. 2 After rolling the ball, (a) slides to one side and receives the ball back from player (b) who has passed from the ground. 2 3 Player (a) rucks forward, arrows back in front of the ruck and tries to get between defenders. 4 Player (a) initiates the touch to remain in control and player (b) who has followed up moves again to acting half. 5 After rolling the ball player (a) slides to the opposite side and repeats the process. 3 Junior Touch Basics page 10

Two Man Rucking (Option) 1 Player (a) rolls ball and player (b) is acting half. 2 After rolling the ball, player (a) slides to one side and receives the ball back from player (b) who has passed from the ground. 3 Player (a) rucks forward, arrows back in front of the ruck and tries to get between defenders. 4 Player (a) initiates the touch to remain in control and player (b) who has followed up moves again to acting half. 5 Player (a) slides to the opposite side. Player (b) picks up the ball and runs at the retreating player who has made the touch. 6 After taking 2 to 3 paces, player (b) passes to player (a) who angles back in front of the ruck, proceeds to the defensive line and makes the touch. 7 The process is repeated with player (a) sliding to the opposite side after rolling the ball. Important Points Ensure ball is rolled correctly and square on otherwise possession may be lost. To be most effective, should be carried out with continuous motion. Players should be wary of forward passes and make sure player (a) puts himself back on side. Should outside defenders chase in to try to shut down, this is an ideal time for player (b) to wrap player (a) and create overlap. 4 5 6 Junior Touch Basics page 11

Three Man Rucking Purpose A low risk method of promotion of the ball out of defensive half of the field. A means of creating momentum in attack. Creates confusion amongst opposing defenders. 1 In three man situation player (a) rolls the ball, player (b) is acting half and player (c) is the receiver. 2 Player (a) rolls to (b) who passes to (c) who takes the ball on the run close to the advantage line.(the Advantage line is an imaginary line which would be created should a line be drawn across the field using the ball, in the roll ball situation, as it s marker.) 3 (b) wraps around (c) calling for the ball. He probably will not receive the ball but is at least creating confusion for defenders and will now be in position to take the next ruck. 4 (c) angles back in front of the ruck and tries to get between two defenders. (c) makes touch at the defensive line and rolls the ball back to (a) who has moved forward and is now acting half. 5 Procedure is now repeated with (c) rolling ball, (a) acting half and (b) receiving. 6 (a) now wraps (b) who angles back in front of the ruck and (c) moves to acting half. 7 Repeat as often as necessary at least three times coming out of own half. 2 4 Important points: To be effective must be carried out with continuous motion and not stop and start. Player who rolls ball goes to acting half. Acting half wraps receiver, calls for ball and maintains position. Receivers keep coming from the same side. Receivers angle back in front of the ruck and get between defenders. Receivers make touches on defenders to stay in control. Receivers take ball on run never standing still. Always call loudly and urgently for the ball. Junior Touch Basics page 12

1 2 3 Spiral Pass Purpose To transfer the ball over longer distances with accuracy and speed. Makes defenders cover more territory as it allows attacking team to play with more width. 1 Ball is held in the V grip by the driving hand. (The Driving Hand is the hand which propels the ball. When passing Right to Left it is the Right hand. When passing Left to Right it is the Left hand.) Ideally with fingers and thumb pressed against the surface but the palm not in contact. 2 The other hand is used to steady and direct the ball towards the target. During the passing action, make sure the end of the ball is pointing towards the target. 3 In one motion, draw the ball to the side opposite the target by raising the elbow and roll the wrist downwards to create tension. 4 Transfer the ball across the body, straightening the wrist and using fingers to exert spin on the ball 5 Follow through with passing motion and finish with fingers pointing towards target. Important points: To begin with, may be best to practice the action of the driving hand only. Players should practice with either hand to ensure they are proficient when passing to either side. Accuracy and low trajectory are paramount. 4 5 Junior Touch Basics page 13

Wrap Purpose Low risk attacking play to drag two defenders together to create space on the outside and place Wrapper in the gap provided. 1 Receiver takes ball on the run. 2 Attracts attention of defender in front of him. 3 Runs an angled course back in front of the passer. 4 Wrapper delays run and then wraps around the ball carrier into the space provided. 5 Wrapper receives pass and straightens up. 6 Most effective when done at pace. Important points: Best attempted when attacking side has forward momentum and defenders are rolling backwards and under pressure. 1 To attract defenders attention, the Receiver should look defender in the face while on the angled run. Only look for the Wrapper when sure defender is drawn and chasing. Angling in is imperative. This shortens the distance the Wrapper has to cover, opens the gap wider and allows the Wrapper to straighten. 3/4 The Wrapper should delay his run. Wait for the outside defender to chase in before commencing to wrap. The Wrapper should call clearly on the way around so that the Ball Carrier knows where he is before looking. Wrapping is a good way to finish the Three Man Ruck activity. 5 Junior Touch Basics page 14

Switch Purpose Change the point of the attack. 1 The Ball Carrier attracts his Defender. 2 Gets on the outside of him and runs across field at pace. 3 Receiver stands deep and wide and initially also runs out to attract and hold his Defender in place. 4 The Ball Carrier with his Defender in pursuit, heads out towards Receiver who steps and changes direction back inside Ball Carrier. 5 Ball Carrier turns (always keeping Receiver in view) and passes back inside to Receiver who straightens and takes the gap left by the Defender who is chasing the Ball Carrier. 2/3 4 5 Important points: Ball Carrier must run out at pace. Receiver should be deep and wide. In fact, when Ball Carrier calls the play, the Receiver should automatically take at least one step out and back. The Ball Carrier s turn should be done in a manner that the Receiver is always in view and also, the Receiver should have a clear view of the ball at all times. It is essential that the Ball Carrier s pass delivery is made on the correct leg. The pass should be made when the Ball Carrier s weight is on the foot farthest from the Receiver. This allows the Ball Carrier to rotate his upper body towards the Receiver. Not only is this the most comfortable method but it aids in the distance and accuracy of the pass. Receiver must straighten and run onto the ball. Communication between the Ball Carrier and Receiver throughout the process is crucial to the success of the Switch. During the switch, players should endeavour to stay wide apart. Thus ensuring that the one defender cannot touch them both. Junior Touch Basics page 15

Rope Defence Purpose Aim is to squeeze up and congest around the ball. Makes it extremely difficult for the defensive line to be broken. Ensures that there is always support if a defender is beaten one on one. 1 When ball is travelling to the right hand side of the defensive line, the Winger on the left moves inside his opposite and across to the outside shoulder of the opposing Link. 2 The Left hand (defensive) Link moves inside his opposite and into the outside shoulder of the opposite Right middle player. 3 The Left hand (defensive)middle moves inside his opposite and into the outside shoulder of the opposing Left hand Middle. 4 The Right hand (defensive) Middle, Link and Winger move to the outside shoulder of their respective opposite. 5 In this example, the Left hand defenders defend inside their opposites while the Right hand defenders defend outside their opposites. 6 As the ball moves back across the field, the Left hand defenders move outside their opposites and the Right hand defenders move in one position. 7 Defenders do not chase in to make the touch. They slide out. 8 When the touch is made, it is made with the inside hand to assist in sliding out to the short side of the defensive line. In this way, should the attackers try to attack the short side, the defenders will already be outside their opposites. 9 Defenders should not be beaten on the outside on the side of the field where the ball is, as they are defending on the outside of their opposite. 10 If a defender is beaten back on the inside, defenders on their inside collapse in to the players they are defending the outside shoulder of. 11 Wingers are encouraged to only make touches in extreme emergencies in their own half as they are too easily the victims of dump and slide if they become involved. Link should endeavour to make touches on both opposing Link and Winger. 12 This whole procedure becomes much clearer if you should practice on a table with six attacking markers and six defending markers. Important points: Each players role is important. Players away from the area under attack in particular must help out with constructive talk. Players around ball must communicate and nominate who is making touch. Only one to make touch. Do not over read situation - play your role and trust your fellow defenders. Must defend as a unit. Junior Touch Basics page 16