Improve ball movement in tight spaces under pressure. Midfielders play keep-away against defensive midfielders in a confined area between cones (10 yards inside the restraining line) and the restraining line. Start 5v4 with the clearing team up. Variation: Set a possession time limit. Add or remove a player after time expires. If the riding team gains possession, play it out to goal as a 4v5.
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Related Drills
2v1 Drill
Play 2v1 in the attack zone. Coach starts with a ground ball or pass. Offense works quick ball movement and stick handling to create scoring opportunities, while the defender practices positioning and slides. Play continues until a goal, save, clear, or whistle. Focus on decision-making under pressure.
Holman Drill
Set three offensive players (Player 1–3) behind the goal with balls and two defensive players (Player 4–5) up top. On the whistle, Player 1–3 attack the 3v2. On a goal, save, or stoppage, the next two defenders (Player 6–7) enter with a ball to create a 4v3, while the first two defenders stay. Offense rotates out and three new players enter to start a new 3v2. Continue rotations, switching players from bottom to top every 4–5 minutes.
3v2 to 4v3
Set three offensive players (Player 1–3) behind the goal with balls and two defensive players (Player 4–5) up top. On the whistle, Player 1–3 attack the 3v2. On a goal, save, or stoppage, the next two defenders (Player 6–7) enter with a ball to create a 4v3, while the first two defenders stay. Offense rotates out and three new players enter to start a new 3v2. Continue rotations, switching players from bottom to top every 4–5 minutes.
Give-and-Go
There are three lines at the 50 yard-line: two at center, and one a wing position. One of the lines in the center is for defensemen, the other center line starts with the ball. The first player in the defense line comes out to about 10 yards in front of the first player in the ball line. The players start down the field toward the goal, and the defender attempts to check the center's stick and to slow him down by body checking. Once the defender has been drawn closely to the player with the ball, and the center senses he's in trouble, he will pass it to the wing. The defense sprints to defend the wing, and when he has been drawn away, the wing will pass it back to center who has sprinted ahead for the goal.
Mirror footwork
Set up 2 lanes. Players look directly at each other. One player shuffles laterally, other player mirrors and stays square. Can also be done forward/backward.
X Dodge and Crease Picking
Practice dodges from X and crease player movement based on which side the ball comes from behind the goal. Ball starts with a player at X. The hand the ball carrier begins with tells the crease players he'll be dodging to the opposite hand and coming around the goal. Crease players position opposite and away from where the ball will be coming. Variation: Add pick and re-pick, or pick and roll for the crease. Can also run from the top of the diamond with crease players going low.
Gronk Dodging
Set up 2–3 cones 5–10 yards apart to simulate defenders. Catch the ball, square your shoulders to the defender, and engage them with your body. Use a Gronkowski-style dodge: lean into the defender, step off your drive foot to create space, then shoot on the run. Focus on body positioning, balance, and timing to maintain control and generate an open shot. Progress to multiple “defender” cones for live-action practice.
Swarm Drill
Set up 6 offensive players outside the crease moving clockwise and 6 defenders inside moving counterclockwise. Coach rolls or passes the ball to a random offensive player. Two defenders immediately converge to create a 2v1 on the ball. Offense must secure the ground ball, find outlets, and quickly move the ball. Defenders rotate to cover adjacent threats, emphasizing communication, quick reactions, and aggressive doubling.