Practice defensive positioning and holds when playing a ball carrier from up top, directing them down the alley. Defensive middies and dummy offensive middies line up outside the restraining line. On the whistle, the ball carrier drives toward the goal. The defender turns his hips, points feet to the sideline, and takes away the middle. Establish contact with a top-hand hold — top hand on the ball carrier's lead shoulder, bottom hand on lead hip, gloves only (no stick contact). If the dodger rolls back, maintain contact and stay topside, driving them down the alley into the slide.
Use this drill in your practice plan
Add "Funnel" to a drag-and-drop practice plan, customize timing, and export as PDF — free.
Start Planning — It's FreeRelated Drills
Foot Work (Ladder)
2 in 2 out 1 in 1 out Icky shuffle Hop scotch One foot jumps
Def footwork to GB
four cones set up about 5 yards apart in a square, and GB set a little ahead of the box. Sprint forward, side shuffle, back pedal until where you started, then sprint up to pick up GB. Can implement a dodge or dodge then pass coming out of the GB.
2v1 to the Cage
The drill starts with the coach throwing the ball in to initiate a 2v1 toward the cage. Cut the field in half and attack from a top corner. Keep it in tight. The two offensive players work to move the ball quickly and attack the net, while the defender focuses on playing the middle, having their stick up, communicating, and forcing a low-angle or outside shot.
Alley Footwork Drills
Develop defensive footwork fundamentals. Players sprint cone to cone using proper technique, planting and exploding toward each cone. Variation: Carry a stick and throw checks at each cone. Play shadow defense on a ball carrier running the same pattern.
10 Yard Sprints
Build short-sprint speed and change-of-direction quickness. Players line up on the sideline. Cones 10 yards from the boundary. Sprint line to line, 4 times in 12-15 seconds. Repeat 5 times. Variation: Hold a stick and shuffle instead of sprinting. Increase time to 15-18 seconds. Stay low throughout.
Back to Back Goals
Description This is a high-tempo 3v3 live play drill focused on communication, conditioning, and game-like decision-making. Teams must clear to the opposite restraining before attacking the cage Setup -3 field players per team -Two goals set up back to back between restraining lines -Drill starts with a ground ball in the middle. -The team that gains possession chooses their scoring goal by clearing toward a restraining line. -Every offensive player must touch the restraining line with a foot before becoming involved in forward play -The ball does not need to touch the sideline and may move freely -Play live with substitutions on the fly
Three Wide Offensive Drill
3-line setup along restraining line. Player 1 throws ball toward endline, sprints to scoop ground ball, makes big turn. Player 2 vacates crease as outlet, receives pass. Player 3 makes jab step then jump cut to vacated crease space. Player 2 feeds cutting player for shot. Sequence: ground ball → outlet pass → jump cut → feed → finish. Emphasizes ball movement, spacing, anticipation, finishing without goalie.
Riding 2-1-3 V Ride with Dead Ball off Shot
Improve riding after a dead ball on the end line following a shot. Lock your attack and midfield onto the clearing team's players. Drop 3 attack players into a zone splitting the goalie and 3 defensemen. The attack zone up and attack the first clearing pass, forcing long or contested throws. Variation: Strengthen the clear to practice forcing turnovers in live situations.