Roll Ball Drills

(Including tap ball)

Scoop tag
- 3-4 students are nominated to be taggers, whilst the rest of the class are to collect a touch
football (taggers don’t have a touch football)
- All students are positioned randomly in a 20 x 20m (size may change based on number of
students) area indicated by 4 corner cones
- Students with the touch footballs are to run around within the area, aiming to get away
from the taggers
- If taggers touch a running player (aiming for hip height) the tagged player must perform a
roll ball, placing the ball down and stepping over for the person who tagged them to scoop it
up
- The student who gets tagged now becomes a tagger,
and the previous tagger now becomes a runner
- Taggers should be changed throughout the activity
Stage 1
Progression
- Manipulate size of playing area
- Increase number of taggers
- Change activity performed throughout the activity –
e.g. skipping, hopping, walking
- Include tap ball
KTP
- Controlled ball down to the ground
- Stepping square over the ball
- “slam, step”

Roll ball relay

- Students are organised into groups of 6-8 (depending on class size)
- Cones are set up (2 per group) approximately 20m apart in parallel lines. Half the group lines
up behind one cone and the other half behind the opposite cone. Another cone in placed
between 5-8m away from one cone for each group
- Students starting with the ball run up to the middle cone (green) and place the ball down,
performing a roll ball and running on to the back of the line
- The next student in line is to run out to the ball, scoop it up and then pass to the opposite
player
- Students continue, following their ball and ensuring all students have at least 2 turns at
performing a roll ball
- Once competent, have groups have a competition who can complete 2 run throughs first (on
teachers call)
- Repeat activity with a tap ball rather than a roll ball
Stage 2
Progression
- Increase distance
- Add another cone at other end so students perform a
roll ball on each run through
- Manipulate competition rules/conditions
KTP
- Controlled placement of ball
- Stepping over and running through effectively
- Accurate and correct passing

Roll ball in 3s & 4s

- Students are organised into groups of 3 (progress into 4s) with one ball per group
 - One student has the ball and will run forward approximately 5m (can use
cones if needed) and imitates the initiation of a touch. They then place the
ball down and perform a roll ball
- The next player runs behind them and scoops the ball up to then pass to
the third player who is slightly behind and to the side to receive the ball
- This person now becomes the starting player who runs 5m and performs a
roll ball, continuing the drill on
- Another player is introduced into each team (after appropriate timing) and
acts as the defender, allowing the attackers to make a touch on the
defender
- Defender must get back 5m after each touch
Stage 2/3
Progression
- Increase distance
- Add more players in each group to become 2 v 3/4
- Include score line for groups to reach
KTP
- Controlled ball to ground and stepping over
- Movement away from ball and in appropriate position once performing roll ball
- Awareness of space and positioning to work as a group
- Movement away from the defender

One touch
- Students are organised into groups of 6-8 with an area approximately 10x30m – 30x40m
(depending on number in groups and class size). Two teams per area
- 2 squares are set up with cones close to boundary lines with centre cone in each
- One becomes the defending team and one the attacking
- The attacking team aims to throw the ball onto either cone in the middle of the squares. The
ball can be carried and passed between team mates
- Defenders aim to touch the attacking team. Each time a player is touched, a roll ball must be
performed.
- Attackers have 6 touches to try and hit either cone before the ball is turned over to the
defending team
- The team who hits the cone the most times at the end of the desired time are the winners
Stage 3/4
Progression
- Manipulate distances or number of students in each
team
- Include roll ball at start and after each turnover
- Change activity to score
KTP
- Controlled and effective roll ball
- Repositioning after roll ball to receive pass
- Awareness of space and positioning
- Effective team play

(Touch football Australia, 2016: SportPlan, 2018: Touch football Victoria, n.d)