Focusing on Fundamentals: First, Second and Third Grade Drills

Transcription

1 Focusing on Fundamentals: First, Second and Third Grade Drills Cradling Drills Beanie Baby Cradle: Have players bring their favorite Beanie Baby (small stuffed animal) to practice. Players should stand in line facing coach with Beanie Baby in their stick in place of a ball. Players work on a smooth cradle motion rocking the baby to sleep. Keep focus on fundamentals bottom hand away from body and in front of belly button. Top hand back and protected by shoulder. If players have a difficult time getting the motion, have them begin by cradling with only the top hand (stick vertical, turning ear to nose). Add the bottom hand when top hand motion is correct. Warm up Lap w/cradle: Each player starts with a stick and ball. On the whistle, players begin to cradle while running the perimeter of the field. On each subsequent whistle, players should switch hands and continue cradling and running. This drill is not intended to be a race, if players drop the ball have them scoop and continue. Six Points of Cradle: Have players on a line in front of coach each with a stick and ball. Position players with bottom hand away from their body and in front of their belly button and top hand back and protected by their shoulder. Begin cradling through the following: Full cradle in position 1 (shoulder to shoulder) Hello Ball Cradle at side in position 2 Low cradle with top hand below bottom hand in position 3 Offside Full cradle in position 4 Offside cradle at side in position 5 Offside low cradle with top hand below bottom hand in position 6 Repeat six points using off hand then complete the drill by switching freely between right and left as well as points of cradle. Sharks and Minnows: Use cones to create boundaries 20 yards x 20 yards. Elect "sharks" who tag "minnows" that try and run to the other side of the field while cradling. After being tagged minnows become sharks, the ones that make it across, go again, and now with more sharks. Fox and Hounds: Use cones to create a grid approximately 20 yards x 20 yards and have all players tuck a scrimmage tank top or penny in their waistband. Coach should identify a hound which will place their stick outside of the grid. All other players (foxes) will have a stick and a ball. On the whistle, foxes cradle ball and move within grid trying to avoid the hound. If a player has their tail pulled by the hound, drops the ball, or steps out of the grid, they are out for the

2 remainder of the round. Last person remaining becomes the hound and all players reenter the grid and repeat. Ball, Shoulder, Shoulder, Defender: Set up small squares using cones (5 feet x 5 feet) and have two players inside the box one offense and one defense. On the whistle, offensive player begins cradling using body to protect the ball (ball, shoulder, shoulder, defender) and the defender tries to create pressure, look for checking opportunities, and use boundaries. Beginning players can have a defender without a stick simply concentrating on position, and then add stick to focus on mirroring offensive players stick. Offensive players should work on changing hands throughout drill. Players switch positions on whistle. Simon Says: Players stand in a line facing coach with stick and ball. Players begin cradling and coach gives cradling commands such as: Simon says cradle while hopping up and down on one foot, Simon says switch hands, Simon says cradle while on your knees, lying on your back, etc. Occasionally, coaches will give a command without saying Simon says if players obey these commands or drop the ball they sit in their place until next round begins. Hungry Hippos/Egg Hunt: Set up two buckets approximately 20 yards apart Start with one group. Spread balls in the middle between the crates. On the whistle, players run to middle, scoop ground ball, and cradle back to the bucket. Have players repeat until all of the balls are in buckets. Have players count out loud to determine how many ground balls were retrieved. Progression 1 : Split group in half and position teams behind bucket. Have players on each team count out loud to determine the total of ground balls retrieved. The team with most wins. Scooping Drills Solo Ground Balls: Every player begins with a ball in their stick. On the whistle, players roll the ball out in front of them (any direction), accelerate through the ball while scooping, bring immediately to a cradle position for two cradles, then releases ball and repeats. Players should count how many ground balls they are able to scoop successfully. On the second whistle everyone stops. Coach can make it competitive by saying anyone with less than 10 sit where you are, anyone less than 15 sit where you are, etc. until only one person remains. Progression 1: Soccer Ground Balls player kicks the ball forward instead of rolling. Progression 2: Hockey Ground Balls player uses stick to hit ball out instead of rolling. Progression 3: Freestyle Ground Balls combination of Solo, Soccer and Hockey. Hungry Hippos/Egg Hunt: Set up two buckets approximately 20 yards apart - split group in half and position teams behind buckets. Spread balls in the middle between the crates. On the whistle, players run to middle, scoop ground ball, and cradle back to the bucket. Have players repeat until all of the balls are in buckets. Have players count out loud to determine which team retrieved the most ground balls. The team with most wins. Bucket Relays: Divide players into equal numbered teams trying for no more than 5 players per line. Players will line up behind a bucket. Coach should place a cone 30 yards away, with the same number of balls spread out as players. On whistle, first player runs to cone, scoops ball, cradles ball back to bucket. First team to collect balls and return to bucket wins. Under the Bridge: Partner players into groups of two. Player one creates a bridge using their stick (stick head on ground shaft up). Place ball under the bridge approximately 5 yards ahead of partner. Player two scoops the ball getting low and accelerating through scoop for five yards. Player two then creates bridge for player one (repeat). Coaches Cover (Pool Noodle): Line of players facing coach (smallest lines possible based on number of coaches). Coach needs a large number of balls in a straight line approximately 1 foot apart. Coach stands beside ball with a pool noodle covering ball. Players run through scoop

3 (push through the noodle). When performed properly, drill should simulate scooping through other sticks. Concentrate on getting low and accelerating through ball. Players cradle ball back to coach s bucket. Competitive Ground Balls 1 v 1: Form two lines of players facing forward. Coach stands slightly behind and between lines. Coach rolls ball out and the first two players run to scoop the ball. After the ground ball is won, cradle ball back to coach and fill in behind lines. Encourage communication ball down, I ve got ball, etc. Add later player that doesn t get the scoop plays defense, successful player completes pass to coach. Competitive Ground Balls 2 v 1: Form three equal lines of players facing forward. Coach stands slightly behind and between lines. Coach rolls ball out and the first player in each line runs to scoop the ball. The two outside players are competing against the inside player. If the two person team gets the ball, they must complete a pass to finish the drill while the inside player plays defense. If the inside player gets the ground ball, the two outside players play defense while inside player tries to complete pass to coach. Passing / Catching Drills Toss (Without Stick): Coach should have player begin with a ball only (no stick). Player should pass the ball to coach while focusing on having eyes on target, throwing elbow up and behind, stepping toward target with opposite foot, and following through to target. The motion of the top hand should closely mimic the lacrosse pass. Soft Toss Catching (Under and Over Hand): Early stages of catching should begin with a soft toss from a coach s hand. As the player becomes more comfortable, progress to overhand throws, and finally balls thrown from a stick. It is important to throw the passes to the player s ear, thus allowing them to keep the stick in an upright catching position as opposed to a basket catch. Remind the player to show me your strings early and often. Players learning to catch will often try to cradle catch or snatch the ball out of the air. Early reinforcement to keep the stick open will make catching much easier moving forward. Hula Hoop: New and young players often begin their throw from an upright cradling position. The resulting pass is generally directed toward the receiver s feet. Have players partner up facing each other five - seven yards apart. Coach should stand between the two players holding a hula hoop at head height. Work with players to focus on fundamentals then concentrate on passing through the hula hoop. A proper pass through the hoop will result in a pass thrown to the intended target area. Over the Goal: New and young players often begin their throw from an upright cradling position. The resulting pass is generally directed toward the receiver s feet. Have players partner up facing each other seven yards apart with goal between them. Work with players to focus on fundamentals then concentrate on passing over the goal with the proper amount of power to get to the receiver. A proper pass over the goal will result in a pass thrown to the intended target area. Long Distance Toss: Coach should use cones to create a Runway (see below) 5 yards wide. Stress proper fundamentals of the throw prior to beginning drill. Each player will get three attempts to throw their longest pass landing in the grid. Coach will mark the longest pass with a marker. The following players will attempt to beat the existing mark until one player has thrown the longest.

4 Partner Passing: Have players line up 5 7 yards apart. Focus on throwing mechanics, stepping with the proper foot throwing ball to partner s ear. Practice should / could include right hand, left hand, off side catch, off side throw, behind the back, bounce pass, etc. Coach should use a one minute timer to heighten concentration and have players count the number of pass completions. Rotate partners frequently to allow the entire team to benefit from playing with teammates of varying skill levels. I Got 1, I Need 1 : Divide players into two groups, 1 group with balls the other without. On the whistle, players with the balls yell I Got 1. Player without ball yells I Need 1. Player with ball hands off into stick to player who does not and then the roles switch. This continues for 3-5 minutes. Progression 1 of this drill : Pass or flip a catchable ball instead of hand off. Progression 2 of this drill : Set up two goals approximately 40 yards apart - split group in half (using scrimmage jerseys) and position teams behind goals. Spread balls in the middle between goals. On the whistle, players run to middle, scoop ground ball, then yell I Got 1 and hand off into a teammate s stick who is yelling I Need 1. Concentrate on identifying a teammate ready to accept a pass, communicate and place ball into teammates stick. After completed handoff, have receiving player shoot ball into the goal. Have players repeat until all of the balls are in goals. Have players count out loud to determine which team retrieved the most balls. The team with most wins. Progression 3 of this drill : Pass a catchable ball instead of handoff. Zigzag Race: Divide players into two equal teams. Coach should use cones to create a Zigzag pattern 5 7 yards apart. On the whistle, player one throws a pass to player two, player two throws to player three, etc. Have players concentrate on proper throwing fundamentals if a player misses the pass have them retrieve it quickly, return to the cone, and continue pattern or have several balls on the ground at the cones. First team to go through the zigzag and back to player one wins. Variations include: right hand, left hand, catch right throw left, catch left - throw right, offside catches and throws. Step Backs: Partner players then spread out across the field facing each other two yards apart. Begin with an underhand toss - after 3 5 completions, have each player step back one yard. Players should now be passing overhand after 3 5 completions, have each player step back one yard. Repeat until completions are no longer possible. Variations include right and left hand. Progression 1: Pass with stick instead of under hand.

5 In and Out Burger - Partner players then spread out across the field facing each other 10 yards yards apart with one person with a ball. Begin by having player run towards player with ball and receive 5 yard pass. Backpedal and throw pass back. Repeat 3 times then have players reverse roles. Quick Sticks: Have players partner up and stand 5 7 yards apart facing each other. Play should begin with one player holding a ball in their stick. On the whistle, have player throw the ball using proper mechanics and trying to hit the target area. Catching player will offer a good target, give with the ball, and immediately pass back to partner (no cradle or hesitation). Passing and catching are equally important for this drill to work properly. When executed properly, both players will throw crisp passes on target and get quality repetitions catching a pass with soft hands and releasing the ball quickly. This is a challenging skill that is very enjoyable when mastered. 2 Ball Passing: Have players partner up and stand 5 7 yards apart facing each other. Play should begin with each player holding a ball in their stick. On the whistle, have both players throw the ball simultaneously using proper mechanics and trying to hit the target area. Passing and catching are equally important for this drill to work properly. When executed properly, both players will throw crisp passes on target and get quality repetitions locating a pass while making the necessary catching adjustments. This is a challenging skill that is very enjoyable when mastered. Wall Ball: One of the best drills for developing catching and throwing skills. Have players stand 5 yards off wall and pick a target spot on the wall new players may need to stand slightly closer. Using proper mechanics, step toward wall and follow through to target (resist the urge to half throw, reinforcing bad habits). When executed properly, the ball should bounce off of the wall into a proper catching position. Have players concentrate on catching the ball in front of them with soft hands, single cradle and repeat. Variations for this drill are endless but could include: right hand, left hand, off hand catch and throw, bounce prior to wall, catch right throw left, catch left throw right, quick sticks, on the move, etc. Shooting Drills Shooting From Knees: Have player kneel 5 yards in front of goal. Coach should stand behind the player with a larger number of balls close at hand. Player should get the stick set in shooting position with stick extended behind them. Coach loads stick with ball and player shoots using proper fundamentals and follows through. This drill is good for working on proper rotation through shot and focuses on mechanics without footwork. Pie Plates: Coach hangs four numbered disposable pie plates (#1, #2, #3, #4) in the corners of the goal. Players should be 5 7 yards in front of the goal with multiple balls at their disposal. On the whistle, coach calls a number and player shoots at that target. Focus on proper shooting fundamentals (footwork, follow through, etc.). Pipes: Players line up in a line 5 7 yards in front of the goal each with a ball in their stick. On the whistle, player one shoots the balls intentionally trying the hit one of the pipes. Repeat through all players multiple times. Have players keep score with the number of pipes they were successful in hitting. When done properly, this is a fast paced drill that players enjoy. Hungry Hippos/Egg Hunt with Goals: Set up two goals approximately 40 yards apart - split group in half (using scrimmage jerseys) and position teams behind goals. Spread balls in the middle between goals and hang tarps in goals to serve as goalies (leave approximately one foot on each side). On the whistle, players run to middle, scoop ground ball, and complete a pass to a teammate. Concentrate on identifying a teammate ready to accept a pass, communicate using here s your help, and throwing a catchable ball. After completed pass, have receiving player shoot ball into the goal balls that hit the tarp should be returned to the middle. Have players

6 repeat until all of the balls are in goals. Have players count out loud to determine which team retrieved the most balls. The team with most wins.