PRACTICE
15 (Overall Skill Development)
Stick skill and shooting drills will be repeated today. Have fun with the
players in the Numbers Drill and the scrimmage.
First 5 Minutes (Review)
Bring all of the
players and coaches together. Begin the practice by reiterating what was
conveyed at the end of the last practice. Assess the progress made toward the
goals for your season. Explain the plan for this practice. Address any
questions the players may have.
Next 5 Minutes (Warm-up)
Divide the players into several lines on the midfield line facing one of the
restraining lines. Go through repetitions of the following between the mid
line and the restraining line: 50 percent run with high knees, butt kicks
(lifting the legs up high in the back), side shuffle, running backwards; then
75 percent run; and 100 percent run.
During the warm-up, pull the goalies aside and have them work with one or
two of the coaches.
Next 20 Minutes (Stick Skills)
Work drills as previously performed:
Three-Man Weave
Three-Man, Two-Balls Drill (on the run)
Next 2 Minutes (Water Break)
Keep your players hydrated with a water break. But have them hustle back to
the field. You can consider having this break during Stick Skills.
Next 15 Minutes (Shooting Drills)
Review the fundamentals
of shooting that were learned in the previous practices. Have the players
perform the following drills:
Catch and Shoot
Dodge and Shoot on the Run
Two Lines Pass and Shoot
Next 10 Minutes
(Odd-Man and Even-Man Drill)
Numbers Drill: As performed in previous practices.
Next 2 Minutes (Water Break)
Keep your players hydrated with a water break. But have them hustle back to
the field.
Next 15 Minutes (Scrimmage)
Review action from prior scrimmages and/or games. Talk to the players about
skills that were done well and others that will help the players develop and
understand the team game.
Then divide the players into two teams at each position. Let the players
play in a controlled scrimmage setting. There will be a lot of different
circumstances to teach as the scrimmage progresses, but it will be a lot of
fun for both the players and coach. If there are any penalties during the
scrimmage, award the team that was fouled a fastbreak.
Right before the end of practice, blow the whistle and tell all the players
to enter the game. Let them enjoy the game for one minute as it was
originally played – it is a fun twist for the young players.
Ending Practice
In your team huddle, review what was learned and congratulate the players
for their hard work. Also, establish the next practice time (or game time)
with the players and parents, and follow up with an email.
