Develop goalie hand-eye coordination without a stick. Goalie in ready position, no stick. Coach stands 4-5 feet away and tosses balls at the cage. Goalie makes saves mimicking stick movements but catches with the top hand. Work all shot positions. Variation: Bounce the ball and have the goalie save it using only the chest protector.
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Related Drills
Clearing Relay
Players line up in all four corners of the box with goalies at both sides in between the lines . At the same time, players to the left of each goalie sprint upfield and receive an outlet pass from the goalie over the shoulder and sprint through the other side and get in line. Drill moves continuously with goalies throwing back and forth. Emphasize catching on the run, crisp outlet passes, quick ball movement, and catching over the shoulder..
Goalie Warm up
Have goalie receive shots on goal and clears
Hit Spots
Develop goalie hand-eye coordination through progressive distance shooting. Goalie in ready position. Coach starts 2-3 yards away, lightly tossing balls while moving in an arc around the goal. Goalie saves and quickly returns the ball. Hit all shot positions twice, then back up to 5-7 yards and repeat, then 10-12 yards. Increase shot speed with distance. Vary release points so the goalie sees different angles. Variation: Bounce shots. Rapid fire sequences. Goalie makes outlet passes after saves.
Goalie Footwork
Develop goalie footwork, quickness, and ready-position discipline. Lateral Hops: Hop side to side over a shaft, staying in ready position (30 sec) Front to Back: Hop forward and back over a shaft in ready position (30 sec) 2-Step: Take 2 steps right or left over a shaft, maintaining ready position (30 sec) 4 Squares: Work a 4-hop pattern over 2 intersecting shafts (30 sec) Variation: Randomly toss a ball during any drill for a save. Run diagonal patterns on 4 Squares.
Continuous Crease Roll and Top 8M Defense
Drill Description This is a fast-paced defensive drill that gives defenders repeated reps defending crease rolls and 1v1s from the top of the 8M. Balls are placed behind the GLE and at the top of the 12M, with attacker lines at both locations. One defender lines up on the GLE at the hash next to the crease. The attacker behind the GLE goes first and chooses which side to roll. As soon as a shot is taken or the ball becomes dead, the attacker at the top of the 12M is immediately released. The defender must recover quickly, approach with shooting space awareness, slow the attacker, and force her outside. The drill runs continuously at a high tempo.
Gone in 60 Seconds
GONE IN 60 SECONDS DRILL: Full field 3 Attackman on each side 3 Defenseman on each side Everyone is moving fast Ball will start as a GB in the middle of the field EVERY SUB IS MADE THROUGH THE SUB BOX 2 Middies closest to the box sub after their offensive possession Far side middies never sub We are up and down fast Objective is to clear fast and catch the opponent in an unsettled situation
Perimeter Sprints
Set a team conditioning standard and challenge players to beat it. All players start at one corner of the field. On the whistle, run the full perimeter at a comfortable pace. Record the time. Short break, then challenge the team to beat it. Repeat as conditioning time allows. Variation: Have players cradle balls or run through obstacles around the field.
Steal the Bacon
A ball is placed at midfield and the players are divided into two teams. Each team spreads out along opposing lines about 25 yards away from the ball (or around the circle). Each player has a number and the numbers on one team coincide with those on the other. The coach calls a number and the two players who have those numbers sprint for the ball in the center. The player who picks up the ball must then cradle and cross his own line when a point is scored. Keep score for a fun end of practice game for youth teams!