Coach’s Handbook

1. Coach’s Handbook Offense Defense Rides Clears Terminology Drills Coaches Goals

2. Offense • Deuces • 30’s and 40’s • Wheel • 50’s and 60’s • 1-4-1

3. Deuces

4. Deuces

5. 30’s and 40’s

6. Wheel

7. 50’s and 60’s

8. 1-4-1

9. Defense • The basics: • Man to Man • Zone • Man Down

10. Defensive Constants • Communication • Footwork • Body Position • Poke checks • “V-Hold” • Goalie Talk

11. Man to Man • Call out the number of the man you are covering, then cover your assigned opponent. • Communicate to your teammates, and listen to the information they provide • Stick topside! Nobody can score from behind the goal. • Lockoff’s and Press Play are specialties.

12. Man to Man

13. Zone • Many types, so as coach you decide what you will use – see DVD of Zone Defense. • Communication is huge to pass off opponents between different sectors! • Cover high-threat areas.

14. Generic Zone

15. Man Down • Basic “Box and One” • Keep it tight • Communicate!

16. Rides • Man to Man (man down, defense has goalie) • Force the long pass • Zone • Communication to pass of opponents from zone to zone • Hard • Hard press ride for tight game situations

17. Clears • Endline – Defense or Goalie takes it • Sideline – Middie takes it • “400” – Middie takes an endline clear in special circumstances.

18. Clears (Illustrated)

19. Defensive Terminology

20. Terminology (Cont’d)

21. Field Quadrants

22. Drills • Stickwork Drills • You can go with the basic line drill • More complicated stickwork drill follows as an example • Ground Ball Drills • One on One • Two on One • Three on Two

23. Basic Line Drills

24. Stickwork Drill 20 yards 20 yards Right, Right Left, Left Catch Left, Throw Right Catch Right, Throw Left Left, Left Right, Right

25. Stickwork Drill • Assumes everyone can catch/pass left/right • Start slow then pick up the pace • Add more balls, try to get 6 balls going at once • Plenty of touches in about 7-10 minutes • In addition to basic catching and passing • Simulates pushing the ball upfield • Being vocal • More balls create more confusion (clarity amid chaos) • Short sticks and long sticks, even goalie, in same drill • End running full speed • If there is an overthrow, there are several other balls in play • Little rest between throws

26. Coaches Goals • Initial • Teach Ball Drills • Instruct all players how to catch, throw, switch hands, and scoop properly • Give extra attention to less experienced players during the drill • Keep the drill moving – Coaches keep one extra ball to keep drill moving • Learn all players names – must know all names by second practice • Constantly identify players by first/last name until you have them memorized • Be instructive but constantly be upbeat and encouraging

27. Coaches Goals (Cont’d) • Intermediate • Prove how much of ball drill sequence is remembered • Improve stickwork • Get numerous successful catches and passes at each step within the drill • Introduce Ground Ball Drill – “Ball Down”, “Ball”, and “Release” • Elements of a “Good Shot” • Less than 10 yards from the goal • Momentum toward the crease • Overhand Shot on the run • Shoot as hard as you can (Power) under control (Placement) everytime • Bounce shot when possible • Conditioning • Incorporate coherent plays based off your players strengths

28. Coaches Goals (Cont’d) • Advanced • Always work on keeping up the basics (the beginning of practice should be rote, but with few if any dropped passes) • Incorporate advanced plays, zone defenses, and clears • Work on developing “field sense” including using players who have it already or naturally to step up and lead their lines. • Focus on “whole team dynamic”