Over and Down Shooting

Develop ball movement and positioning — move the ball from the top, across and down for a crease finish. 3 lines with cones: one at the top of the box, one at the opposite top, one 3 yards behind GLE. Balls start at the top corner. That player dodges inside, bounces back, and feeds across to the other top line. That player catches and moves it down to the GLE line, who finishes across the crease. Rotate counter-clockwise. Variation: Switch sides. Designate the shooter. Add defense.

12-1415+ShootingTeam Offense

Up and Over Shooting

Develop ball movement and positioning — move the ball from a low wing, up and across for a dodge and shot. 3 lines with cones: one 3 yards behind GLE, one at the top of the box, one at the opposite top. Balls start low. Bottom player dodges inside, bounces back, and feeds the top line. Top catches and moves it across to the third line, who dodges off the cone and shoots. Rotate clockwise. Variation: Switch sides. Designate the final shooter. Add defense. Put goalies in for live shots.

12-1415+ShootingTeam Offense

6v5

Work 6v5 situations in the half field. 6 offensive players vs 5 defenders. Coach starts play with a ground ball or pass. Play to a goal, save, clear, or whistle. Variation: Flip it — 5 offensive players vs 6 defenders. Defense clears all saves or takeaways. Add passing requirements.

12-1415+Extra-Man Offense

5v4

Work 5v4 situations in the half field. 5 offensive players vs 4 defenders. Coach starts play with a ground ball or pass. Play to a goal, save, clear, or whistle. Variation: Flip it — 4 offensive players vs 5 defenders. Defense clears all saves or takeaways. Add passing requirements.

12-1415+Extra-Man Offense

4v3

Work 4v3 situations in the half field. 4 offensive players vs 3 defenders. Coach starts play with a ground ball or pass. Play to a goal, save, clear, or whistle. Variation: Flip it — 3 offensive players vs 4 defenders. Defense clears all saves or takeaways. Add passing requirements.

9-1212-14Extra-Man Offense

3v2

Work 3v2 situations in the attack zone. 3 offensive players vs 2 defenders. Coach starts play with a ground ball or pass. Play to a goal, save, clear, or whistle. Variation: Flip it — 2 offensive players vs 3 defenders. Defense clears all saves or takeaways. Add passing requirements.

6-87-10Extra-Man Offense

2v1

Work 2v1 situations in the attack zone. 2 offensive players vs 1 defender. Coach starts play with a ground ball or pass. Play to a goal, save, clear, or whistle. Variation: Flip it — 1 offensive player vs 2 defenders. Defense clears all saves or takeaways. Add passing requirements.

4-66-8Extra-Man Offense

Canadian 2v2 Ground Balls

Teach defenders to scoop ground balls in the crease area and transition the ball upfield. 2 defensive lines behind the goal, 5 yards from GLE. 2 goalies in the cage. Coach at 15 yards with a bucket of balls. Coach shoots low, soft shots that deflect into the rebound zone. Defenders rush up, scoop the ground ball, break out to the wing, then turn and throw back to the goalie. The player breaks upfield and receives a clearing pass. Repeat. Variation: Add offensive pressure near the crease.

7-109-12Ground BallsClearing

5 Yard Scoop

Teach the fundamentals of ground ball pickups through repetitive scoops. Players line up on the end line, each with a ball. First whistle: roll the ball 5 yards out. Second whistle: sprint to the ball and get into scoop position over it — freeze. Third whistle: scoop through and sprint to the next line. Repeat down the field or back and forth between cones. Variation: After freezing over the ball, kick it out or pull it back with the foot to practice creativity under pressure. Work along the sideline to practice scooping with your back to pressure.

12-1415+Ground Balls

4 Corner Pick and Go Ground Balls

Drill ground ball pickups going straight to goal. Coach at the top of the box with a bucket of balls. 4 lines of players around the attack zone. Coach rolls a ball to a line — that player scoops and goes to goal for a shot, then sprints to the opposite line. Variation: Add a soft defender or coach with a long pole in the middle. Add a goalie for live reps.

6-87-10Ground Balls

Save To Clear Warm Up

Warm up the goalie's save-to-clear transition. Goalie in the cage. Coach shoots from about 10 yards. 2 players or coaches roam between midfield and the attack zone. Goalie makes the save, then immediately clears long to one of the targets. Alternate clearing targets each rep. Move targets around to vary clearing distances. Variation: Change shot locations. Add targets like trash cans in the midfield for the goalie to hit.

7-109-12ClearingGoalie

Rapid Toss Warm Up

Warm up the goalie with rapid toss shots to develop quick footwork and reactions. Goalie in the cage. Coach stands about 5 yards away with 25 balls. On the whistle, toss balls at the goalie in rapid fire, varying locations. Goalie makes a save and drops the ball behind them. Continue until balls are gone or need to clear balls from the crease. Watch for balls underfoot. Variation: Change the angle of the toss shots.

7-109-12Warm UpGoalie