Develop dodging skills, footwork, and ball protection through a gauntlet of moves. Players line up with balls. 5 cones in a straight line, 5 yards apart. At each cone, execute a dodge (coach-assigned or player's choice). After 2-3 reps, add a soft defender at each cone. Progress to allowing defenders to check. Variation: Move cone positions. Add a shot on goal after the final cone.

Use this drill in your practice plan

Add "Gauntlet" to a drag-and-drop practice plan, customize timing, and export as PDF — free.

Start Planning — It's Free

Related Drills

Split and Roll Dodge

Teach players to chain dodges together — split dodge into a roll dodge, finishing with a shot. Players line up at the top of the box with balls. Set up 3 cones: one in the middle of the box (5 yards in), and one to each side (5 yards down and over). Players drive in, split dodge at the first cone, go right or left, roll inside at the second cone, and drive for a shot. Variation: Move cone locations. Add defenders at the cones for pressure.

Dodging

Wing Dodge and Crease Picking

Practice dodges from the wing and crease player movement in relation to ball position. Ball starts at the wing. Crease players position opposite and away from where the ball is coming. Variation: As players get comfortable, have crease pick and re-pick, or pick and roll to increase difficulty.

DodgingTeam Offense

Give and Go Drill

- The ball starts at the top near the 15 (higher than the 12m) - Start in your right hand and dodge to your left hand - Once you get to the left elbow, pass down to a coach that in next to the goal - Once you pass, cut backdoor on your defender

ShootingDodging

Diamond 1v1s

Set up cones in a diamond around half the field. Set up 1 cone and another cone 5-7 yards inside. Offensive and defensive players line up at each cone with balls. The defensive player starts on the outside, offensive player on the outside. On the whistle, players exchange, coach throws a ball to offensive player and offensive player dodges to the goal against defensive player. Focus on good approaches for defense and hard dodges & separation for offense.

Defense (Individual)CompetitionDodging

Hawk High

Work on defensive positioning and approach in the attack zone. Defenders line up on the bottom-left cone. At the coach's signal, sprint to the top cone and address the coach as if he were a dodger. Recover to the crease cone. Variation: Include attackmen and midfielders. Increase speed as players improve. Approach from both sides.

Team Defense

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

Team DefenseConditioningCompetition

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.

ShootingGround BallsStickwork

Umbrella Approaches

5-person drill: 4 offensive players on perimeter (varying distances), 1 off-ball defender in middle. Ball starts with D4, passes randomly to perimeter players. Defender makes approach, opponent executes double move at 75% speed, returns ball to D4. Defender recovers, creates ball-you-man triangle, prepares for next approach. Three different approach angles/distances. Ends with ground ball recovery and clear. Emphasizes off-ball positioning and recovery.

Defense (Individual)