Work on attacking with your back to the cage in a 1v1 setup. Start with the ball entering the 8-meter; the player posts up using elbows, body, and footwork to shield the defender and create space. Incorporate jab steps, body fakes, and shoulder fakes to initiate contact and open shot opportunities. As skills progress, add the four perimeter players for full 5v5 simulation, emphasizing vision, timing, and decision-making under a shot clock.
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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
Zig Zag Dodge Drill
Set up two cones: one downhill, one near goal line extended. Players perform a split dodge at the first cone, then a zigzag dodge at the second, simulating live game action. After the second dodge, make a pass to the backside and cut for a shot. Focus on footwork, timing, and maintaining game-like intensity. Reps should emphasize smooth transitions, realistic angles, and quick decision-making under pressure.
Scoring from X
Set up a goal with a high-crease goalie. Players practice a sequence of 3–4 dodges—split, co-dodge, hesitation—then turn the corner toward the goal. Focus on precise footwork, stick positioning, and quick execution on each move. Incorporate a short final shot under simulated goalie pressure. Emphasize game-like speed and technique over repetition, ensuring each dodge and shot is clean, controlled, and consistent before moving to the next rep.
Roast the Approach
Set two lines of offensive players: righties on one side, lefties on the other. First player starts with the ball on the inside facing an approaching defender. Pass out, read the defender’s angle, then attack down the alley or toward the middle for a quick, controlled shot. Next player rotates to become the defender. Drill flows continuously, emphasizing strong body positioning, stick protection, quick decision-making, and fast shot release under pressure.
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.
3 Man Relays
Stop-and-go sprint conditioning that mimics game situations. 2 cones 10 yards apart. One player at each cone, one in the middle. On the whistle, the middle player sprints to a cone and taps hands — that player sprints to the opposite cone and releases the next player. Continue for 2 minutes, then rest 1 minute. Repeat for your target duration. Variation: Add a ground ball or a specific dodge to each sprint.
Extend and Recover
Improve on-ball and off-ball defensive positioning, including extending to the ball carrier and recovering to the hole. Start as a modified 2v2. Two offensive players pass back and forth, forcing defenders to adjust. When your man has the ball, extend and break down with a bottom-hand check. When your man passes, drop step toward the ball, stick up in the passing lane, and recover to help position in the hole. Maintain the man-you-ball triangle when off-ball. Variation: Progress to 3v3 or 4v4 as technique improves.
Open
Two offensive players are stationed up top and move the ball back and forth to start the rep. As the ball is moved, defenders below the play shift, communicate, and adjust their positioning around the crease with light pressure, focusing on sticks in lanes and maintaining shape. The drill emphasizes off-ball awareness, defensive communication, and reacting to ball movement without live contact.