Overhead flat-lay photograph of a worn leather Rugby Fives glove resting on a dark wooden court floor, with a hand-stitched ball nearby; deep browns, burgundy shadows, and warm cream highlights evoke a vintage sporting atmosphere.

Rugby Fives Association

The governing body for Rugby Fives — promoting play, coaching and competition across the UK

How to Develop Left-Hand Control in Rugby Fives

A dependable left hand can change the way you defend, build rallies and create space in Rugby Fives. Players who usually favour their right hand often treat the left as a backup, yet the sport rewards anyone who can strike, cushion and redirect the ball from either side of the body.

Developing this skill requires more than hitting against a wall repeatedly. You need sound grip habits, balanced footwork, accurate judgment of the ball’s rebound and enough tactical awareness to choose the left hand under pressure. The same principles suit beginners, school players and experienced competitors preparing for club fixtures.

Why Left-Hand Control Matters

Rugby Fives is played in a confined court where the ball can arrive quickly and at awkward angles. If you always move around the ball to use your stronger hand, you give an opponent extra time to read your intention. A controlled left-hand shot keeps your movement compact and helps you return balls that would otherwise force a weak defensive contact.

Left-hand ability also supports court coverage. When the ball travels towards your left hip or shoulder, an instinctive left-handed response can preserve your position near the best attacking area. This is especially valuable in doubles, where hesitation can leave your partner exposed or open a clear lane for the opposition.

The Rugby Fives Association supports competitions, coaching and player development, making its resources useful for Australians who are discovering the sport or seeking contacts with established Fives communities. For players in Sydney, Melbourne or regional centres, connecting with experienced coaches can shorten the learning curve.

Establish A Natural Left-Hand Grip

Begin with a relaxed grip rather than squeezing the hand around the racquet or glove. Your fingers should control the handle while the thumb provides stability. Excess tension slows the wrist and makes the ball rebound unpredictably. Hold the implement firmly enough for security, then loosen your fingers between shots.

Practise the basic contact without worrying about speed. Stand close to the front wall and play gentle left-handed feeds, aiming for a consistent height and direction. Focus on meeting the ball in front of the body, with the striking surface travelling towards the target rather than cutting across it.

A useful early exercise is alternating forehands and backhands on the left side. Feed the ball so that one return comes across the body and the next sits outside the left hip. This teaches your hand and shoulder to adjust while your eyes stay on the ball. Keep the swing short; a compact action is easier to repeat during a fast rally.

If you are using a wall outside formal court hours, check the surface and surrounding area first. A school court in Brisbane or a community facility in Adelaide may have different rebound qualities from a traditional Fives court, so treat early practice as coordination work rather than a direct measure of match performance.

Pair Footwork With The Stroke

Left-hand control improves quickly when the feet arrive before the swing. Use small adjustment steps, keep your knees soft and avoid crossing your feet too early. The goal is to position your body so the ball reaches a comfortable contact point slightly ahead of the left hip.

Practise a simple sequence: split step, move towards the ball, set the front foot, strike, then recover to a balanced stance. The split step keeps you ready to move in either direction, while the recovery step prevents you from admiring your shot. In a court game, the next position matters as much as the return itself.

Players often lean away when making a left-handed contact because the stroke feels unfamiliar. This reduces control and sends the ball high or wide. Keep your head steady, place your chest behind the shot and allow the shoulder to rotate naturally. A stable base gives the left hand a clearer path.

Try shadow footwork before adding a ball. Mark three positions on the floor: central base, left-side contact and recovery point. Move through them slowly, then increase the rhythm. This can be done in a garage, sports hall or driveway, provided the surface is safe and free from loose gravel.

Use Drills That Build Accuracy

Wall feeds are the foundation of left-hand training. Start from a short distance and hit ten controlled balls to a marked target. Rest briefly, then repeat while moving one step further back. If accuracy disappears, move closer again. Quality contacts develop more useful skill than a long set of rushed swings.

For a reaction drill, ask a partner to feed balls alternately to your left forehand and left backhand. The feeder should vary the height slightly but keep the pace manageable. Your task is to call “forehand” or “backhand” early, move efficiently and return the ball with a repeatable trajectory.

The drop-and-hit drill adds judgment. Drop the ball from shoulder height, allow it to bounce, then play a left-handed return to a nominated wall target. Progress by changing the starting position and asking for a lower or higher return. This teaches you to read the bounce instead of beginning every stroke from a fixed rehearsal.

A useful Australian training option is a short session after school sport or an evening club hit. Calling it a quick arvo session can make the routine feel manageable: ten minutes of feeds, ten minutes of movement and ten minutes of conditioned points. Regular practice twice a week is usually more productive than one exhausting session every fortnight.

Transfer The Skill Into Match Play

Once the stroke feels comfortable, use it with a tactical purpose. A left-handed return can send the ball away from an opponent’s preferred striking side, force them to move laterally or create room for your next shot. Avoid choosing it simply to prove that you can use the hand; select it when the ball and court position support the decision.

During conditioned games, award yourself an extra point when a rally contains three controlled left-handed contacts. This encourages patience without turning every shot into a forced experiment. Another format is to begin each rally with a feed to the left side, then play normally after the first return.

Defensive control should come before attacking ambition. A high, deep left-handed ball that gives you time to recover is often better than a low attempt that clips the wall or sits up for an easy reply. As your consistency improves, vary height, pace and placement to make the stroke less predictable.

In doubles, communicate early with your partner. A clear call can prevent both players moving towards the same ball, especially when the left-hand contact takes you across the centre of the court. Phrases such as “mine”, “leave” and “short” should be agreed before play, with the direct, practical language common in Australian club sport.

Build A Sustainable Practice Routine

Track simple measures rather than relying on feel. Record how many left-handed returns reach the target from ten attempts, how often you recover to the base position and how many unforced errors occur under moderate pressure. Improvement becomes easier to see when the numbers are written down.

A four-week block might begin with technique and close wall feeds, then add movement, variable feeds and conditioned points. Keep the first sessions controlled, increase intensity in the middle weeks and finish with game-like practice. Stop if your wrist, elbow or shoulder develops persistent pain; changing grip tension and seeking qualified coaching is preferable to pushing through an injury.

Training focus	Main aim	Suitable drill	Progress marker
Grip and contact	Clean, relaxed impact	Close wall feeds	Eight of ten accurate returns
Footwork	Arrive balanced on the left side	Split-step and shadow movement	Fast recovery to base
Reaction	Choose the correct left-hand stroke	Alternating partner feeds	Earlier preparation
Placement	Control height and direction	Target zones on the wall	Fewer loose rebounds
Match transfer	Use the skill under pressure	Conditioned points	Reliable choices in rallies

For players in Australia, practical planning matters. Indoor courts can be valuable during a wet Melbourne winter, while shaded or well-ventilated facilities are preferable during hot Queensland afternoons. Bring water, allow time for a proper warm-up and organise court bookings early, as school and community venues may have limited evening availability.

Make left-hand work part of every session rather than treating it as a separate project. Even five minutes of purposeful practice before a game can reinforce the grip, contact point and recovery pattern. With consistent repetition, the unfamiliar side becomes a genuine tactical option.

Take the next step by adding a short left-hand block to your next practice, recording your accuracy and asking a coach or experienced player for one specific correction. Regular court time, sound feedback and involvement in the wider Rugby Fives community will turn tentative contacts into confident match play.

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What is Fives?

A handball sport with deep roots

Rugby Fives is a fast, skilful handball game played in an enclosed court with walls. It takes its name from Rugby School, where the modern game developed. The RFA provides resources and an introductory video for newcomers eager to understand the rules and spirit of the sport.

Discover the game

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Where to Play

Courts across the country

Rugby Fives is played at schools, universities and clubs throughout the UK. Whether you are a seasoned competitor or picking up a glove for the first time, the RFA can help connect you with local venues and fellow players.

Find a court

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Rankings

Tracking the best in the game

The RFA maintains official player rankings, including a dedicated Women's rankings list and end-of-season standings. A comprehensive record book of tournament winners stretches back to 1925, preserving nearly a century of competitive history.

View rankings

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Fixtures & Tournaments

The competitive calendar

The RFA calendar includes championships, open tournaments, and school and university matches. Major events have included the National Open Singles, the South West Open, the London Open, the Scottish Open, and the Owers Trophy — alongside representative fixtures against schools and clubs.

See fixtures

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