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.
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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.
Split field 2 v 2
Work together in a pair mirroring each other. Field is cut in half down the middle. 2v2 until someone scores. Mirror ball carrier. Set picks and roll. Play together.
Zig Zag Approach Drill
Set up three large triangles and two small triangles with cones on the field. Players line up at the start of each triangle. Drill moves in a zigzag pattern: approach an offensive player in athletic stance with stick extended, take away one side, then backpedal short as if the attacker dodges, and break to the next cone at full speed. Long approaches use extended steps, short approaches use quick, choppy steps. Focus on balance, positioning, and reacting to the offensive player.
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.
Rapid Toss Warm Up
Warm up the goalie with rapid toss shots to develop quick footwork and reactions. Goalie in the cage. Coach stands about 5 yards away with 25 balls. On the whistle, toss balls at the goalie in rapid fire, varying locations. Goalie makes a save and drops the ball behind them. Continue until balls are gone or need to clear balls from the crease. Watch for balls underfoot. Variation: Change the angle of the toss shots.
Grip it and Rip it
Develop goalie reactions to shots from multiple locations and distances. Goalie in the crease. A coach receives a pass from anywhere in the attack area and immediately shoots. Both passer and shooter move continuously. Farther shots should be harder; closer shots should emphasize placement. Work all save areas. Variation: Bounce shots. Rapid fire sequences. Goalie makes outlet passes after saves. Multiple passes between coaches before the shot. Up close, use fakes and non-traditional releases.
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.
Wildcat Shooting Drill
- setup with a 2 lines in the center with balls, then 2 girls on each elbow and 2 girls at each crease. - first line is going to pass to elbow, who passes to crease, girl who started with ball cuts for a feed from crease. - then the left side goes, follow your pass.