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Tampa Clearing Drill & Game - Link to Drill
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Set Up |
Focus Points |
This drill will emphasize spacing, ball movement, and transition principles when clearing the ball.
Set Up
Put 3 players of each team in every quarter part of the field. This is a 12v12 + goalies game. Start the ball with the goalie, and they play 4v3 keep away. After the 3rd completed pass, the last player with the ball carries it to the next quarter. They play 4v3 until 3 passes are made. Continue this until the team with the ball, advances to their offensive end, and they play 4v3 to the goal, and try to score. If there is a turnover or interception during the clearing, start a new ball with the opposite team. Coach can award 1 point for a team that successfully clears the ball, and award 1 point extra if they score.
Principles and Coaching Points |
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- Open field spacing in transition.
- Communication, call for the ball
- Riding, disrupt player with the ball.
- Clearing!!
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Diamond Keep Away to the Goal - Link to Drill
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Set Up |
Focus Points |
A fun and engaging groundball and transition drill that works on both offensive and defensive teamwork & spacing
Set Up
Set up cones in the shape of a diamond in the playing area. You can make it larger to force longer passes but the stand length should be about 8-10 yards away from each other. On the sideline, set up 3 lines of each team, depending on your group size. They should be alternating (dark, light, dark, light, etc..). Coach rolls a ball into the field (doesn’t have to be inside the diamond), and the team that picks up the ball is on offense. Another teammate from the winning team will join, giving them an advantage (4v3). At this point the game-play will move to the cones, and the defense has to stay inside the diamond while the offense needs to stay out. Play keep away until coach blows a second whistle, and then its live to the goal!
Coaching Points and Principles
Progressions
- Make the groups smaller (2 lines of each color) so it turns into a 3v2 for more spacing at younger ages
- if you have more than 4 players (5v4) we can put an offensive players on the crease who can rotate in and out during the keep away play
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- Ground Balls
- Offense – Make good passes, a teammate should be at an adjacent cone. If the player with the ball carries, the offense should move like a carousel maintaining their spacing. In transition to the goal, find the open teammate/advantage and get a good shot on cage
- Defense – Communicate, who has ball! Need no play the ball, and have backside zone since we are playing with 1 less player. One the ball is passed, a new defender should slid to the ball, and the previous defender on ball needs to get back inside for backside supper and help
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Offensive Skill Session - Bounces and Redodges - Link to Drill
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Set Up |
Focus Points |
This drill emphasizes ways for players with the ball to learn how to create their own space when attacking the goal
Set Up
Start the players on the wing, with a ball in their stick. Add a coach or player about a stick length away acting as a guided defender. The player with ball will initiate with a bounce.. they step away from the defender, to create space. The guided defender will do 1 of 3 things: Take a high approach, a low approach, or stay neutral. The player with the ball will read the defender, and take the space given. If the defender stays neutral, the player with ball should initiate some form of deception like a fake pass, or a hitch to freeze and attack the space they want.
Principles and Coaching Point
Progressions
- Start with a dodge up the hash
- Play tougher defender forcing a double dodge
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- Take the space the defender gives, and explode to it
- When bouncing, get your stick in a loaded position acting as a triple threat (You can pass, shoot, or re-attack)
- Finish quick, once you take the space, get loaded for a shot on the run and release quick
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Defensive SKill Session - 5 Cone Defense Drill - Link to Drill
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Set Up |
Focus Points |
A great drill to work on off ball defense principles
Set Up
Place 5 cones around the field, with an offensive player, and then add a trash can or a 6th player on the crease. 6 defenders will be out there matched up, and we want to work on our positioning as the ball moves around the perimeter. We need 1 player to guard ball, the adjacent teammates showing slightly, and the 2 backside defenders protecting crease. The 6th defender on the crease, is the slide player, and they will shade to the side and ball carrier. have the offense pass the ball around and let the defense move off ball to get in position. Coaches can direct and tell the offense which direction and who to throw to
Coaching Points & principles |
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- Communication: We want to call out our 1 (Slide) and 2 (Backside crease help)
- Sticks up in passing lanes
- Shoulders should be open to the ball carrier and the player you are guarding
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Numbers Small Sided Unsettled Game - Link to Drill
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Set Up |
Focus Points |
A fast paced drill that creates unsettled situations in a small sided game environment.
Set Up
On one end of the field, put in 6 offensives player and 6 defensive players. Every player on each team, has a number 1-6. Make sure numbers are guarding their counterpart (1 guard 1). The offense will play ball control, using motions to get the defense moving. When coach yells out a number and whistle, that defensive number will exit the game. If coach yells (TWO), the defensive #2 players leave the field. You can keep that player out so the offense gets an extended advantage, or tell that player to sprint to sideline, and then recover back in. That leaves a 6 v 5 on the field. We want the offense to move the ball to find the open teammate and the defense to communicate and slide/bump to keep the offense in neutral.
Coaching Points and Principles
Progressions
- Start 5v5, and transition to 4v4
- Start 7v7, and transition to 6v6
- Call two numbers so more players leave
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- Defense – Communicate! When players leave the field, we need to communicate and match up. Use slides/bumps to shorten that transition part. Keep sticks in the air off ball, don’t allow skip passes!
- Offense – Move the ball fast! attack the goal, find the open teammate, and try to create an advantage on the field
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6v6 Scrimmage - Link to Drill
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Set Up |
Focus Points |
A live 6v6 scrimmage allows players to apply the skills and concepts practiced throughout the session in a game-like environment. Play continuously while encouraging communication, decision-making, and teamwork. Keep coaching interruptions to a minimum, using brief teaching moments between possessions to maintain the flow and maximize repetitions.
Constraint Ideas: Possession clock • Every player touches the ball • Assisted goals only • Bonus points for defensive stops or caused turnovers • Start from specific situations (clear, ground ball, man-up, etc.) • Limit dodges or require a dodge before shooting • Reward good spacing and ball movement • Play uneven numbers (6v5, 5v6). |
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