Set Up
This drill starts with the offensive players on a high wing, and a defender on the crease, about 8-10 yards away. A coach will have the ball and will start the drill by throwing a ball into the offensive player. As the ball is in the air, the defense must approach the offensive player and take a good angle to keep them away from the middle of the field. The offense must catch the ball, and make 1 quick move to get their hands free for a shot. Try to limit the play to 5 seconds
Coaching Points and Principles
Defense
- Focus on your angle of approach, we want to take away the middle of the field, where a shooting angle is higher
- get your inside foot, top side to help with that approach and take short choppy steps so you stay balanced, trying not to lunge forward
- Lead with your stick and get to the players hands, hole the topside as best you can’t and drive through shoulders during the dodge to prevent shots
Offense
- One quick move and go, we want to use deception to get our hands free. If you get your hands free, get loaded and shoot, don’t let the defended recover.
- Use split dodges and jab steps to freeze the defense
- Try to take high quality shots, changing planes and shooting away from the goalies stick
Progressions
- Use tennis balls if you want to keep it lighter for your goalies
