Pin Strike Protocol

Teacher Setup & Facilitation Guide

Lesson 2: Passing & Weight

Focus

Inside-foot mechanics & pass weight.

Target

Push passing to a specific spot.

Setup Time

10 Minutes (6 lanes).

Materials

Cones, Tall Pins/Bottles, 1 Ball/Pair.

Primary Activity: The Bowling Alley

Lane Setup

Create "lanes" 5 yards wide. At the end of each lane, place 3-6 tall cones or plastic bottles (pins) in a triangle formation.

Gameplay

Students work in pairs. One is the "Bowler", one is the "Catcher" (standing behind pins).
The Bowler has 3 attempts to knock down as many pins as possible using an inside-foot push pass.
The Catcher resets the pins and returns the ball using a pass with "perfect weight" back to the bowler.
Switch roles after each frame.

Leveling Up

Increase distance from pins: Pro (5 yards) $\rightarrow$ Elite (10 yards) $\rightarrow$ Legend (15 yards).

Coaching Feedback Loop

Observation

"Ball is rolling off the side of the foot."

Correction

Check ankle lock. "Toe up, heel down!"

Observation

"Ball doesn't reach the pins."

Correction

Increase follow-through towards target.

Observation

"Passes are wide left/right."

Correction

Check plant foot alignment. It's the "compass".

Secondary Drill: Gate Masters

Instructions

Place pairs 10 yards apart. Between them, set up two cones 1 yard wide (the "Gate"). Pairs must pass through the gate to each other. Every successful "Through-Pass" is 1 point. First pair to 10 points wins.

Focus on "Weight"

Tell students the pass must stop exactly at their partner's feet. If the partner has to take more than one step to reach the ball, or if the ball rolls past them, the point doesn't count.

Quick Check Question 1

"If your teammate is running into open space, should your pass have more or less 'weight' than if they were standing still?"

Quick Check Question 2

"Why is the inside of the foot better for accuracy than the toes or the laces?"

Pin Strike Teacher Guide

Pin Strike Teacher Guide