Drill Specs
Drill Theme:
Cradling and Dodging
Field Position:
Offense, Defense, Midfield
Drill Style:
Warm Up, Skills
Time Needed:
5 min
Field Location:
Attack Zone
Skill Level:
Basic
Objective
To develop ball-handling and dodging skills without a defender.
Description of Drill-Execution
Position all players in the penalty area, giving each player a ball. As players cradle and move throughout the penalty area, they execute one or more dodges indicated by the coach. Players must keep their heads up and not look at the ball in their sticks. The players must successfully cradle the ball and execute the dodge without dropping the ball or they are out.
Drill Diagram:
Skills Practiced:
- Cradling and Dodging
- Maintaining Possession
- Stick Protection
- Strong and Weak Hand Play
Variations/Progression/Increased difficulty (As your players improve their skills incorporate the following…)
You can build the drill to a game and have players that are out from dropping the ball back into the box and trying to strip the ball from players. Players still in with a ball must execute a dodge and stick protection to stay in the game.