Warm up the goalie's save-to-clear transition. Goalie in the cage. Coach shoots from about 10 yards. 2 players or coaches roam between midfield and the attack zone. Goalie makes the save, then immediately clears long to one of the targets. Alternate clearing targets each rep. Move targets around to vary clearing distances. Variation: Change shot locations. Add targets like trash cans in the midfield for the goalie to hit.
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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 Clear Passes
Develop clearing passes from the goalie through all levels of the field. Goalie starts with a ball. Outlet pass to the defenseman breaking up the left side. Defender passes to M1 breaking back to the ball. M1 turns and finds M2 breaking on the opposite side. M2 catches, turns, and feeds the attackman in the corner. Attackman turns into the middle for a 10-yard shot. Drill restarts after a save or reset. Variation: Set up multiple goals and run several groups. Allow the defender to play the ball after making the initial outlet.
Goalie Warm up
Have goalie receive shots on goal and clears
Overs with Rollaway
Over passes with a partner. Each partner will catch the over pass then roll away from pressure, change hands (optional, but encouraged) and throw an over pass.
Add Fill
Improve defensive approach, sliding, and filling above GLE. X dodges against D1, who takes away the middle and forces the alley. D2 slides to help and forces the dodger away from the goal. D3 fills from the backside as D1 recovers to the crease or picks up D3's man. Variation: Include attackmen and midfielders for position-specific reps. Increase speed as technique improves. Run from both sides.
1v1v1 Four Square
- Break up the draw circle into 4 sections - One will be Ace, one will be King, Queen, and Jack - Have 3 players start in each section, subs will start at Jack. Ace is the top section - Coach will throw balls up and on the whistle go in a circle throwing each 1v1v1 a ball (imitating a draw circle) - Whoever wins, goes up a spot, and gets to pick someone to trade spots with. - Whoever wins in the Jack spot, moves up to Queen and picks someone to switch with, and then 2 new players sub on for the 2 that lost. - If you win in the Ace position, you just stay there!
One-Handed Swat the Fly
Start with a wide base and engage your core. Throw the ball into the net as hard as possible using only one hand, generating power from your legs, hips, and shoulders, not your wrist. Follow through toward your target, keeping the stick head open and using your back leg for balance. Activate forearms and wrists to guide the shot, not to add power. Repeat 10 throws per hand, then progress to one and two handed SWAT-the-Fly drills to transition to game like shooting
Double Team Drill
Drill Description Defenders run in a continuous circle around the cage while attackers run in the opposite direction on the outside. On the whistle, the coach rolls a ground ball into space. The closest attacker breaks to pick up the ball while the two closest defenders immediately double. The offense must move the ball quickly to find the open player and create a scoring opportunity. The defense focuses on applying an aggressive double team, forcing a turnover, or recovering quickly to a settled defensive position if the double is broken. Player numbers can be adjusted to 7v7, 6v6, or 5v5 depending on focus and available numbers. Coaching Focus Points: -Urgent ground ball pickup under pressure -Smart spacing and quick ball movement -Communication to identify the open attacker -Proper double team angles and timing -Defensive recovery to a settled formation -Composure and decision-making in chaos