PRACTICE
4 (Dodging)
Stick skills will be a common theme throughout this season and today will be
no exception. In addition, we'll take the lessons learned about stick
protection in the previous practice and not introduce some dodges.
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 as well as the
three integral parts of your team: HAVE FUN, WORK HARD, GET BETTER.
You can continue to explain the fundamentals to the game, including the
number of players on the field, different positions, offsides, etc. Explain
the plan for this practice. Address any questions the players may have.
Next 10 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.
Here's another quick stationary stretch:
Stand straight, bend a leg behind
the body, grab the ankle and pull the heel toward the backside. Hold for a 10
count. Mimic with the other leg. This stretches the quad muscles.
During the warm-up, pull the goalies aside and have them work with one or
two of the coaches. It is important for the goalies to be properly warmed up
and comfortable taking shots before the real action of practice. Also, it is
a great opportunity for the goalies to get some one-on-one instruction to
help them develop as players.
Next 25 Minutes (Stick Skills)
Bring all of the players into a huddle again. Have the players explain the
keys to passing and throwing. Reinforce whatever points the players miss.
Then perform the following drills:
Standing-Still Passing Drill: Assign each player a partner and give each a
number, 1 or 2. Line up all of the 1s on the midfield line. Line up all of
the 2s about 10 feet away, parallel to the midfield line, and make sure the
partners are lined up across from one another. Spread the pairings out as
much as possible across the width of the field and let them start passing to
one another. Have the coaches walk up and down the line working with the
players and critiquing their form. Have extra balls available for the
players. The key to this drill is to have the players get a lot of
repetitions.
Three-Man, Two-Balls Drill: Divide the players into groups of three and
provide each group with two balls. One player stands on the mid line, one
player stands on the restraining line and the third player stands in the
middle of the other two players. The balls are with the players on the
outside lines. The player in the middle will receive a pass from the player
at the mid line and then throw a pass back to that player. Then the player in
the middle will receive a pass from the player on the restraining line. This
will repeat, back and forth, for a number of reps. The player in the middle
should be on the move continuously. Feel free to shorten or lengthen the
distance between the players if necessary. At one-minute intervals, switch
the players and get a different player from each group to be the middle
man.
Box Drill: Have the players line up in four equal lines in the shape of
a box – two lines on the top corners of the restraining box and two
lines parallel to those lines on the midfield line. One player begins with a
ball at the front of Line 1 and runs down the restraining line towards Line 2
on the restraining line. Unlike line drills, the first player at the
beginning of Line 2 runs toward the midfield line and Line 3. The player with
the ball from Line 1 passes the ball to the player breaking out of Line 2.
After the pass is made, the player who began the drill goes to the back of
Line 2. The player at the front of Line 3 breaks out running down the
midfield line toward Line 4 and receives a pass from the player with the
ball. This repeats as the passing drill continues around the perimeter of the
box that was created.
This is a great drill that simulates players breaking across the field and
receiving passes. Monitor the way it is going and expand or shorten the box
as appropriate. Eventually change the direction of the drill after and incorporate
ground balls into the drill.
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 10 Minutes (Shooting Drills)
Review the fundamentals of shooting that were learned previously. Have the
players explain the keys to shooting. Then expand the discussion to include
shooting on the run. The obvious difference is now the player is moving his
feet while shooting as opposed to planting his feet and shooting. Separate
the players into two groups and take each group to one end of the field. Then
take time to demonstrate the keys to shooting on the run so that the players
can visualize it. Then have the players go through the following drill:
Dodge and Shoot: Players are in two equal lines – one on the right
of the net and one on the left about 10 yards above the goal line. One player
starts with the ball, makes a move on the coach, and shoots the ball into the
net. Then that player goes to the back of the line. The drill is repeated
with the other players in line.
Next 10 Minutes (Dodging/Stick Protection)
Take some time to review with the players the keys to protecting the ball on
offense and how to play individual defense. Also, introduce the different
types of dodges an offensive player can make, including the following: roll
dodge (rolling around an overcommitted defender), split dodge (quick change
of direction while bringing the stick across the body) and face dodge
(bringing the stick across the face).
After the review and explanation of the types of dodges, get the players
in single file lines. There should be one line for each coach. Have the
players run one at a time with the ball and practice a specific dodge on the
coach. The coach should work with each player on critiquing the way he is
handling his stick and if he executes the dodge correctly. After the player
gets by the coach, he circles back and passes the ball to the next player in
line and the drill is repeated. Smaller groups and lots of repetitions are
keys for this drill and developing stick protection.
Next 2 Minutes (Water Break)
Keep your players hydrated with a water break. But have them hustle back to
the field.
Next 10 Minutes (Even-Man Drills)
Take the skills that were
just learned in the dodging and stick protection drills and now have the
players compete one-on-one. Start with all the players in two lines at the
restraining line facing the net – one line is an offense line and
one line is defense. The defensive player steps out five yards in front of
the offensive player. The first player from the offensive line receives a
pass from a coach and has to get by the defensive player to score a goal.
Monitor this drill closely and make sure to point out things that were done
well and identify infractions that occur. Have the players play both offense
and defense. Then have the players go through the same drill from behind the
net.
Ending Practice
After the players get
some water, end practice with a team huddle. Review what was learned and
congratulate the players for their hard work. Reinforce the goals identified
at the beginning of practice. Also, establish the next practice time with the
players and parents, and follow up with an email.
