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3 Man Handle - Link to Drill
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Set Up |
Focus Points |
A great drill to work on stick work in early practice shown by Coach Mike Morgan
Set Up
Put players in lines on sidelines, 3-5 players per line. The ball starts with the ball on the ground in front of the first player, follow these progresstions
- They will kick the ball to space, then use their stick to goose, or hockey stick the ball again, and then pick up the ground ball and throw to the next teammate in line.
- After they make that pass, they stay out and break out to receive a pass over the shoulder, catch and throw back again
- They will receive a ground ball to attack and scoop through, and then leave the ball in front of the next player in line to repeate
Coaching Points & Principles |
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- Ground Balls and Stickwork – Work on using our stick and feet to kick the ball into space and accelerate through the ball
- Over the shoulder catches, we want out our top and to match the should we are catching from. If you ae a lefty, you will look over your left shoulder as an example
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Full Field Ladder Clear w/ Pressure - Link to Drill
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Set Up |
Focus Points |
A full field passing/clearing drill to work on stick work and playing against light pressure’
Set Up
There will be 6 lines on the field, 2 in each defensive corner and 1 at each side of the midfield line. We will add in pressure players (defenders), in between each line on both sides. The drill starts with a goalie outlet to a low defender, and the team must comply passes up the latter, to the opposite goalie. The riding players will put pressure on the ball and try to intercept or knockdown passes in transition.
Coaching Points and Principles
Progressions
- Add in 2 more lines (8 total) to change the clearing strategy
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- You must move your feet with the ball, trying to create passing lanes both with and without the ball
- Try to move the ball fast
- Riding players, keep your stick up, stay in between the ball carrier and the next teammates, we don’t want to chase sticks or get beat
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5v5 Apache Ground Ball Game - Link to Drill
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Set Up |
Focus Points |
A fun game that works on defensive pressure, communication, and offensive ball movement
Set Up
Put 5 defenders inside the crease and 5 offensive players outside the crease. On coaches first whistle, the offense will jog around the cage clockwise, and the defense will jog around the cage (inside the crease) counter clockwise. On coaches 2nd whistle, they will roll a ball out on the perimeter. The play is live, and the rule is we always want the defense to double team the player going for the ball. The offense must break out to space and support the teammate who’s going for the ball and will be double teamed.
The objective is for the offense to move the ball quickly to backside, to get a good high quality shot. The defense wants to pressure the offense enough to now allow the ball to get backside, and eventually get them back to neutral. Play until the offense scores, or the defense successfully clears the ball to midfield.
Coaching Points and Principles
Progressions
- Have the defense try to shut off the adjacent first pass after the GB
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- Offense – Get the ground ball, run away from pressure and find a teammate quickly! Adjacent teammates must support
- Defense – Pressure, pressure, pressure. Keep on the offense as much as possible, and communicate through the sliding/rotations.
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Offensive Skill Session - Link to Drill
- 8 Minutes
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Set Up |
Focus Points |
A high volume shooting drill that works on throwback passes and step down shots
Set Up
Put players in two lines up top, each player carries ball down about 5 yards and does a throwback pass.. we suggest the QB pass in this situation, or a roll away. The next player in line will receive the pass loaded for a step down shot
Coaching Points & Principles |
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- Throwback passes, we want to take a small step away before we make the pass
- Stepdowns, catch the ball loaded and get the shot off quick
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Defensive Skill Session - Link to Drill
- 8 Minutes
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Set Up |
Focus Points |
A drill work work on hand coordination and stick checks\
Set Up
Create a line of of players with an offensive player carrying the ball, and a defender guarding. The offensive player will be running at 50% speed. The defender will run with the player and poke check, trying to get the stick under the top arm of the offensive player, and then “dig” or rip up. This is a great check to force the offensive player with the ball carry with a stronger cradle and can often lead to loose balls and turnovers.
Coaching Points & Principles
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- Make sure as you poke, you stay balanced, we don’t want to lunge as they will allow the offensive player to work off your weight and gets hands free
- The Dig, you will use with your bottom anchor hand, and try to lift the arm/stick of player upwards.
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6v6 Double Team - Link to Drill
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Set Up |
Focus Points |
A great drill to work on beating double teams and controlling the ball vs pressure
Set Up
Put 6v6 players on the field, and you can trigger the drill from any spot. Start with 1 player being double teamed, and coach rolls a ball into that player. They will scoop it and immdiately need to run away from the 2 players chasing them. The offense needs to have front and back side support so teammates on the field must move to get open. Play until the offense can get a shot off, or there is a turnover, and then repeat from another area on the field
Coaching Points & Principles
Progressions
- For younger players, start with smaller numbers like 3v3 or 4v4
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- Play vs pressure – we want to be able to run away to space and maintain ball control
- Off Ball Offense – Moving to space to help teammates being pressured
- Defense – Work on trying to get the offense to make bad passes – don’t give away bad checks that lead to open lanes.
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6v6 Situational Scrimmage - Link to Drill
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Set Up |
Focus Points |
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 |
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- 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.
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