In the most testing games of rugby, players need to be aware of every situation and be ready to react to anything their opponents may throw at them.

In order to enhance their ever developing skills, players need new initiatives to test their reactions. This is why Gilbert have worked with former Springboks, Blitzbokke, Scotland and current Toulon skills/contact coach, Richie Gray, to design the ultimate catch/pass system to increase player awareness and skill level.

Now available individually for the first time, the Control-A-Balls each behave slightly differently. The balls included are: match, light, heavy, grip-less and unstable (*pump (sold separately). Using these different balls at different times before using a standard ball challenges the player and advances their responsiveness in a match situation.

The Control-A-Balls are available in size 5.

Each of the balls will arrive deflated, so they will need to be inflated to 9-10psi for optimum performance. The unstable ball will then also need the water added using a pump (sold separately), below is a guide on how to do this.

Unstable ball preparation guide

• Inflate the ball as normal, as described above, pump (sold separately).
• Place the ball in a sink and, ensuring the inflation needle is attached to the pump, unscrew the handle end to allow you to pour water into the pump.
• Working quickly and over the sink, add the water into the pump, screw on the handle and then insert the needle into the ball valve.
• Depress the handle to push the water into the bladder; repeat this process until you have added 280 grams of water to the ball (approximately 3 pumps full).

Tips: Try not to over fill the ball. If too much water is added, you can remove by inserting the inflation needle into the valve (as you would to deflate it) and hold over a sink with the needle at the bottom of the ball and gentle squeeze the ball to remove some water. Then check the weight and proceed.