Punt Return Drill +1
Improve defensive approach above GLE with a recovering second defender. X starts with the ball. D1 is positioned to take away the middle. On the whistle, X dodges and D1 forces him down the alley. D2 recovers to the crease as D1 engages. Variation: Include attackmen and midfielders. Increase speed as players improve. Run from both sides.
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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.
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.
Simon Sez
3-person groups: one slide defender, two off-ball communicators. Slide defender positions relative to imaginary alley/corner dodge. Off-ball defenders call out specific terminology (pop, fill, sneak, crease) based on predetermined situations. Slide defender must react immediately to commands without verbal confirmation - reaction is the only proof he heard. Rotate positions every few reps. Focus: terminology, tone, volume, confidence.
Offense/Defense Split Template
Players divide into offensive and defensive groups on opposite sides of the field. Offense: INSERT DRILL HERE Defense: INSERT DRILL HERE ADD DESCRIPTION TO PLAN EXPORT to handle multiple drills in the same block.
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.
Slow Break Trailer Shooting
Develop slow-break offense with an emphasis on finding trailing players cutting to the point for open shots. Balls start at 2 low cones. Those players dodge at GLE, looking to throw back or roll back. Two lines up top drift into the box, cut down on the slow break, catch the feed, and finish. Rotate to a different line each rep. Variation: Change dodge and slow-break locations. Add defenders to work on cutting and getting free.
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.
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.