Crease breakout
Coach rolls Goalie the ball at crease, goalie scoops up and outlets to runner. As soon as pass is made, player comes from “bench” position and receives pass, goes in for a shot. Set players up above house. When player runs past goalie, coach rolls to goalie for scoop and outlet pass. -Coach needed at each net and near rag lines to pass L1/R1 ball if they miss or goalie flubs pass.
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Bears drill
X1 receives pass from goalie then passes to X2 who is already ahead. X2 runs to Half boards (HB). X1 sets pick on invisible defender, opens looking for pass. X2 uses pick and cuts top, passes to X1 for a shot. **Run this with 2 lines at both ends** Evolution: have 2 lines out and a third line on the bench. When X2 passes center, X3 exits front doors and runs in, X2 passes to X3 for a shot. ***Second evolution: coach is in corner and passes to X1 for another shot at goal. Goalie is saving from both sides of court. Coach waits until X3 has released their shot. Goalies need to pay attention.
3 Second Drill
Set two lines of players on opposite wings with a feeder at the middle. 3 Players start on the crease and break when ball is rolled. A ball is rolled to the first player, who scoops it, quickly surveys the field, and either catches and shoots or attacks the backside. After the first attempt, they rotate to the end of a line while the next player begins, keeping continuous flow. Emphasize three-second decision-making to simulate fast, offensive transitions.
4 line shooting
Line 1 runs to top of crease, shooting on the run Line 2 face dodges their line and shoots from top of house Line 3 face dodges their line and shoots from top of house Line 4 C-cuts for a shot inside house After shot, player goes to next line. Lines 2 and 3 player lines up closest to the house. righties in line 1 encouraged to cross hands over and fake short and reach for far side.
4 line pass and shoot
Give and go R2 R1, R2 goes in for shot and lines up behind L1. R1 lines up behind L2. Have R1 and L2 start lower down so skip pass is longer If 2 goalies then R1 goes into R2 line and R2 finishes shot and goes into R1 line. Same for L1 and L2. shooter becomes dummy defender and shooter has to face dodge or fake and step past defender before shooting. Defender then returns to back of line
Scoop and Clear
Work ground balls in game-like situations with communication, possession, and transition to offense. Coach at the top of the box with balls. 2 lines of light jerseys behind the cage, 2 lines of dark jerseys. Coach rolls a ball out — first players from each line compete for the ground ball using man/ball communication. Team that wins goes on offense, other goes on defense. Play ends on a shot, save, or clear. Variation: Goalie clears all saves/goals to the defensive team for re-break reps. Coach yells "plus 1" to add players and build from 2v2 to 3v3.
1v1 with a Center Slide
Teach dodging players to read slides and find the open man, while practicing inside slides. Offensive and defensive lines at the top and at X, plus a line of long poles off to the side. Top pair goes 1v1. A long pole sets up in the middle of the box. If the coach yells "slide," the middle defender slides on the 1v1. If no call, he stays home. After the top pair finishes, rotate the middle defender and run from X. Variation: Add an offensive player in the middle so the slider must leave a man, creating a dump-off opportunity.
1v1 Scramble or Recover
Teach decision-making in scramble and recovery situations. Set up 3 groups across the half field, each with an offensive and defensive line. Offense starts with the ball. On the whistle, pairs go 1v1 standing side by side. The offensive player presses to the cage, looking to change direction or accelerate past. The defender works to recover to the hole or get a takeaway. Recovering to the middle is the priority for the defender. Rotate through each group. Variation: Change starting locations for each group.
Throw the Survivor
Setup: 8 defenders play offensive roles. Predetermined dodger forces slide. On-ball defender slides to meet dodge at angle. Off-ball defender recovers to crease. First pass (throw) goes to filling midfielder who exchanges with crease player. Second pass (throw) goes backside. Original on-ball defender must recover and make approach to new ball carrier. Focus: efficiency, communication, footwork.