Over & Under

Skill drill

Coordinate a simultaneous pass and catch while keeping two ball paths separate.

6 min 2+ (pairs) Half court
PassingTeamworkU10U12U14U16

Step-by-step walkthrough

2+ (pairs) · 2 balls per pair

Get everyone ready

Three pairs · six ballsEach player holds one ball. Partners face each other about four metres apart in three separate lanes. Nobody waits in a queue. 123456

● Player / attackGold: ball

Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×

Set up

Partners face each other about 4 metres apart, one ball each. Agree who passes over the top and who bounces underneath. Adjust the distance to the players’ ability. For six players, set up three separate passing lanes with six balls; no queues are needed.

Look for: Release together so both players can prepare to catch.

Playback options
Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×
Coach’s notes & group organisation

Partners face each other about 4 metres apart, one ball each. Agree who passes over the top and who bounces underneath. Adjust the distance to the players’ ability. For six players, set up three separate passing lanes with six balls; no queues are needed.

  1. On an agreed signal, one partner passes overhead while the other bounce passes underneath at the same time.
  2. Both catch their partner’s ball, reset their hands and repeat together.
  3. After four exchanges, swap who passes overhead and who bounces underneath.
  4. Continue in pairs. The coach watches timing, accuracy and catching; additional pairs need two balls and a clear lane.

Suggested reset

Keep the same ball with each pair. After four exchanges, swap high and low passes. With six players, use three separate lanes and two balls per pair; nobody needs to queue.

Coaching cues

  • Release together so both players can prepare to catch.
  • Keep the overhead pass above the bounce-pass path.
  • Show a target and watch the incoming ball into your hands.
  • Start with controlled two-hand passes and catches before adding hand variations.

Adapt the challenge

Easier: Move closer and use two hands for passing and catching.

Alternate passing hands: Alternate right-hand and left-hand passing while keeping the over/under paths separate. Begin with two-hand catches.

Alternate catching hands: Alternate right-hand and left-hand catches, starting with controlled passes.

Combine: Combine alternate passing and catching hands once each variation is controlled.

Equipment

2 balls per pair

Setup

Partners face each other about 4 metres apart, one ball each. Agree who passes over the top and who bounces underneath. Adjust the distance to the players’ ability. For six players, set up three separate passing lanes with six balls; no queues are needed.

Steps

  1. 1On an agreed signal, one partner passes overhead while the other bounce passes underneath at the same time.
  2. 2Both catch their partner’s ball, reset their hands and repeat together.
  3. 3After four exchanges, swap who passes overhead and who bounces underneath.
  4. 4Continue in pairs. The coach watches timing, accuracy and catching; additional pairs need two balls and a clear lane.

Coaching points

  • Release together so both players can prepare to catch.
  • Keep the overhead pass above the bounce-pass path.
  • Show a target and watch the incoming ball into your hands.
  • Start with controlled two-hand passes and catches before adding hand variations.

Why kids love it

Two balls at once creates a shared timing challenge: partners have to work together to keep the rhythm going.

Variations

Easier

Move closer and use two hands for passing and catching.

Alternate passing hands

Alternate right-hand and left-hand passing while keeping the over/under paths separate. Begin with two-hand catches.

Alternate catching hands

Alternate right-hand and left-hand catches, starting with controlled passes.

Combine

Combine alternate passing and catching hands once each variation is controlled.

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