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Inside Out Passing with Brooke Eubanks (Cal) - Link to Drill
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Set Up |
Focus Points |
A great passing drill to work on team ball movement working inside out agains a zone
Set Up
Set up the drill by dividing players into two teams and assigning each team a color. Arrange all players in a large circle around the field, alternating colors. Give 1 player on each team in the perimeter a ball. Place one player from each team in the middle of the circle. On the coach’s signal, both outside players begin with a quick dodge to simulate pressure, then bounce back out and pass to a teammate on the perimeter. That player quickly moves the ball to another teammate on the perimeter, and after this second pass, the ball is fed back into the original inside player. The inside player then passes the ball back out to the next point person on the perimeter, and the drill continues in a continuous flow. The ball can move in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. This drill is designed to build timing, quick decision-making, and inside-out passing skills. See below for progressions to increase the challenge.
Coaching Points & Principles
Progressions
- Have the players throw to random perimeter teammates, not just 1 direction
- After the player dodges, have them cut to the crease and exchange with the teammate there
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- Passing! make good passes to your teammate, that is very catchable. The quicker we move the ball, the better!
- head up, always keep your eyes up to find a teammate
- Communicate, call for the ball, show your stick!
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Grant Passing - Link to Drill
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Set Up |
Focus Points |
Grant Passing is a fast-paced transition drill for intermediate through advanced players that progresses from 3v2 stickwork into a live 4v3, developing passing quality, odd-man decision-making, and the ability to find the unmarked player.
SET UP
Create a box approximately 10 yards long, starting around the 30-yard line, and begin with three offensive players against two defenders inside the space. On the first whistle, the offense maintains possession in the 3v2, with players encouraged to move, carry into open space, and avoid becoming stationary while the defense stays patient and properly oriented. On the second whistle, release the group upfield and add one offensive and one defensive player to create a live 4v3 transition opportunity to the goal. Players should immediately push tempo, keep the ball moving, and attack the advantage. With larger groups, run the drill simultaneously toward both ends of the field, alternating which team attacks to increase repetitions and add conditioning.
COACHING POINTS & PRINCIPLES |
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- Find the Unmarked Player: Every odd-man situation has an open player—recognize where the advantage is and move the ball to exploit it.
- Take the Space: Don’t pass just to pass. If defenders stay home, carry the ball into open space and force someone to engage before moving it.
- Win the Small Plays: Defensively, stay patient and look for “nugget plays”—knockdowns, interceptions, bad passes, or loose balls that can turn an offensive advantage into a defensive win.
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Offensive Skill Session: Pick And Slip Shooting - Link to Drill
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Set Up |
Focus Points |
A shooting drill that also works on 2-player game stickwork
Set Up
On each low and high wing, put lines. Start the balls up top, and initiate both players with a pass down to their adjacent wing. The player who mad the pass will v-cut and go set a pick for the teammate with the ball. They will then slip into space and the ball carrier can either throw back to the slip player, or finish their dodge with a shot
Coaching Points & Principles |
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- Slips – Players should slip into space, feet should not be flat!
- Throwback Passes to Slips, want to continue moving our feet with a good pull pass motion
- Shooting – Finishing with smart shots, working on our placement and shooting angles
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Defensive SKill Session: String Drill - Link to Drill
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Set Up |
Focus Points |
String Defense is a defensive movement drill for developing through advanced players that teaches on-ball pressure, off-ball positioning, anticipation, and recovery while keeping defenders connected as the ball moves.
SET UP
Set up two offensive players, two defenders, and cones marking the defenders’ recovery spots. As the ball moves between offensive players, the defenders move together like they are connected by a string—the on-ball defender closes space and applies pressure while the off-ball defender recovers to their cone, gets big, and anticipates the next pass. Continue moving the ball back and forth to create repeated approaches and recoveries.
COACHING POINTS & PRINCIPLES |
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- Move on the Pass: Anticipate ball movement and begin recovering or closing space as the pass travels rather than waiting for the catch.
- Stay Low & Close Space: Maintain a low defensive stance and shuffle through the approach, taking away space without rising up or slowing down.
- Pressure Creates Mistakes: On-ball, make the ball carrier uncomfortable and look to create a bad pass or take a check when the stick is exposed.
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5v5 Pick & Slip Game - Link to Drill
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Set Up |
Focus Points |
Set Up
Put 2 Pairs of offense on each wing and a player at X, and add in defenders for all spots. The drill is starts with 1 side setting up pick & slip. The defense can stay, switch, or double team forcing the player with the ball to recognize and make a decision. Its a live 5v5 play until the play ends
NOTE: The player at X is only a support or transfer player, unless their defender slides to the ball. They can then be activated into the play as a scorer.
Coaching Points and Principles |
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- Make it a point system Offense gets 1 point for a goal and/or escaping a double team effectively Defense gets 1 point for a successful turnover, or tagging/pulling the jersey of the offense
- Offense gets 1 point for a goal and/or escaping a double team effectively
- Defense gets 1 point for a successful turnover, or tagging/pulling the jersey of the offense
- 2 Player Game Picks and Slips – Offense needs to find space when they slip, and be able to escape pressure Defense must communicate and talk through the picks and try to get the offense into neutral
- Picks and Slips – Offense needs to find space when they slip, and be able to escape pressure
- Defense must communicate and talk through the picks and try to get the offense into neutral
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4v3 Gauntlet Game - Link to Drill
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Set Up |
Focus Points |
A fun unsettled game that forces offense and defense to play quick, and get rewarded for positive outcomes!
Set Up
Using a small area between the goal and restraining line, create a full field small playing area. Split the field in half, with coach in between with balls. After you split your group into 2 teams, put 3 players In at defense in one end, and 4 players in the other. Each side of the field is its own 4v3 game
The game starts with coach throwing the ball into 1 side for the offense. They play until a goal or a turnover happens:
Play for 1-2 minutes and then rotate players. First team to 10 goals win!
Coaching Points & Principles
- Find the 2v1 advantage on offense.
- Move the ball quick to force defense to rotate
- Defense play the ball and backside zone feel to slow down the offense
- Defense keep sticks up in passing lanes, try not to let skip passes through!
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- Goal: Make it take it, coach gives the offense the ball again
- Save/Turnover: Coach sends a ball in the other ends to play 4v3 down there
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