The Hands Renowned Brisbane Lions Ball Handler Luke Power Has Some Tips on Picking up the Footy

THE INTERCHANGE> HOW TO PL AY clean with the hanDS Renowned Brisbane Lions ball handler Luke Power has some tips on picking up the footy. By Howard Kotton. wo hands for beginners – that’s Brisbane Lions paRT 11 – co-captain Luke Power’s ONE-haNDED simple advice when PICK-UP Tpicking up the footy. A one-handed pick-up is normally But there are times in a game used only when the ball is still or when the sure ball handler prefers moving slowly. A two-handed the one-handed pick-up. pick-up is always safest in ensuring “If the ball is lying still, it’s clean possession and is critical if probably quicker to pick it up with the ball is moving, which is usually one hand,” Power said. “But if the the case during a game. ball is rolling at pace, it’s difficult to pick it up with one hand, so you’ve “As a kid, I think you should probably got to go with two hands. be practising everything,” he said. “It depends if it’s rolling towards “When you’re a kid, it’s not you or away from you. If it’s rolling even practice, it’s just fun. You’ll away, you generally would pick it be kicking the ball along the up with two hands. ground and picking it up as much “Basically, you’ve got to keep your as possible.” eyes on the ball and keep your head Playing on pristine surfaces such as close to it as possible. If your as the MCG, Telstra Dome and the head is further away, it is difficult to Gabba makes it easier to pick up take the ball at one-touch.” the ball. Power estimated he would “We don’t play on a bad surface spend about two hours a week now, all the surfaces are really, practising his ground-ball skills. really good,” he said. “It means the “I’m small, so I’m not going to bounce of the ball is very honest.” be getting too much of my footy in Power has played alongside the air,” the 179cm midfielder said. some of the best ball handlers The triple premiership player in the competition, including said players worked on their one- Brownlow medallists Michael Voss, handed and two-handed pick-ups Simon Black and Jason Akermanis. at training. One player who has caught his APProacH croUCH ScooP coMING UP POSSESSION “I think players are so skilful eye with his elite ball-handling skills Power is focused on the ball He plants his right foot The crouched Power Staying focused on the ball Power grabs the football now that they’re able to do more is Adelaide forward Jason Porplyzia. as he runs towards it. He slightly behind and to the scoops his right hand and coming up from his with both hands and is now 1approaches the ball to one side to 2side of the ball, bends his right knee 3underneath the ball. While his right 4crouched position, Power brings 5able to lift his head and look for things,” he said. “I think players Power rates the star Crow the best allow him to reach for it comfortably and lowers his right arm. His palm foot remains planted, his left leg the ball up with his right hand options. He carries the ball, ready practise different skills now one-touch player in the AFL. with his right hand. He is about to is open with his fingers pointing continues to move forward. As his while bringing his left hand across to deliver by hand or foot. plant his right foot close to the ball down and slightly spread ready to right hand reaches for the ball, his to ensure a strong hold. because the game is a lot quicker.” “It’s a pretty big wrap on a and is beginning to lower his body to go under the ball. He keeps his body left arm extends up and outwards Power said young players young bloke,” the classy left-footer initiate the pick-up. close to the ball and his head over it. to help his balance. should handle the ball as often said. “He never fumbles and is as they can. very good below his knees.” ■ • Technical advice in this series courtesy of the AFL Development Department. 16 AFL RECORD visit afl.com.au.

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