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
|
|
- 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!
|
A fun small area transition game that gets everyone playing offense and defense
Set Up
Bring the goals to the restraining line, and split your players into 2 teams. Start with a 3v2 on 1 side of the field. Once the play ends or a turnover, the last player to touch the ball on offense needs to spring back on defense. The 2 defenders just in, transition back the other way and play 2v1. Once that ends, start a 3v2 the other direction and repeat
Coaching Points & Principles
Progressions
- For youngest players, start with a 4v2 or shorten the field
- Add in more constraints like a shot clock
- Play all with weak hands
|
|
- Transition – Play fast
- Early offense
- Find the advantages
- Communication
|
A great build up drill that works on shooting and finding quick advantages
Set Up
Put all your offensive players in lines, on 4 corners of the offense side of the field. Add in 3 defender inside as they will be ready to jump into the play. Designate each offense their number so they know who is in play next (1,2,3,etc..)
The drill start with a pass from the low corner 2 to the high player 1. That will trigger a 1v1 with the (1) defender. Play until a shot or turnover happens. Offender (2) grabs a ball and jumps into play with both (1) players, for a 2v1 to the goal. Play until end, and then Offense (3) and Defense (2) Jump in to make it a 3v2. Play until the end, and then finish with Offense (4) and Defense (3) joining finishing in a 4v3 scenario
Coaching Points & Principles |
|
- Quick Release Shooting
- Player Up/Down Opportunities and Quick Scenario Play
- Defense Approaches & Angles
- Ball Movment – Find the 1 more pass
- Reading Slides
|
A fun game that works on transition play and finding the advantages
Set Up
Create a small playing area, and split group into 2 teams. Start with a 4v4, and play until a dead ball (Goal, Save, Turnover). The last offensive player to touch the ball, leaves the game. The defending team now goes on offense playing 4v3 to the other goal. Same rules apply, last offensive player to touch, leaves game. Continuing playing with these rules until you get to 1v0 against the goalie. Restart a new game, and give the other team the start so they play with uneven advantages.
Coaching Points & Principles
Progressions
|
|
- Transition Play – Playing fast
- Finding the advantages
- Defense organization – unsettled, all even
|
This drill puts players into real game situations where score, time, possession, and personnel dictate how they should play.
Set up
live 6v6 and choose a specific scenario before each possession, adjusting the clock, score, or numbers to create different problems—such as short-time EMO/MDD, protecting a lead, needing a goal, or killing the clock. Allow players to communicate and solve the situation with limited coaching, then quickly reset with a new scenario.
Coaching Points |
|
- Understand the score, time, possession, and personnel before play begins.
- Short-time EMO/MDD: Offense plays with urgency without forcing; defense protects the middle and understands when it must pressure.
- Kill the clock: Value possession, use the entire field, support the ball, and recognize when attacking the cage is unnecessary.
- Defense vs. keep-away: Communicate pressure, identify when to double, rotate behind the double, and anticipate the next pass.
- Need-a-goal offense: Play with urgency, attack favorable matchups, move the ball quickly, and understand how much time is available.
- Emphasize smart substitutions and timeout awareness when appropriate.
|
