The Hands Renowned Brisbane Lions Ball Handler Luke Power Has Some Tips on Picking up the Footy
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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 as he He plants his right foot The crouched Power scoops Staying focused on the ball Power grabs the football now that they’re able to do more is Adelaide forward Jason Porplyzia. runs towards the ball. He slightly behind and to the his right hand underneath 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 3the ball. While his left foot remains 4crouched position, Power brings 4able 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 with his and lowers his right arm. His palm planted, his right leg continues to the ball into his right hand while options. He carries the ball, ready practise different skills now one-touch player in the AFL. right hand comfortably. He is about is open with his fingers pointing move forward. As his right hand bringing his left hand across to to deliver by hand or foot. to plant his right foot close to the down and slightly spread ready to reaches for the ball, his left arm ensure a strong hold. because the game is a lot quicker.” “It’s a pretty big wrap on a ball and is beginning to lower his go under the ball. He keeps his body extends up and outwards to help Power said young players young bloke,” the classy left-footer body to initiate the pick-up. close to the ball. his balance. should handle the ball as often as said. “He never fumbles and is 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.