teach them to play, not plays theme work
DESCRIPTION
A presentation on why teaching athletes to play and allowing them to make smart decisions will improve the program as a whole.TRANSCRIPT
Teach Them To Play, Not Plays
No script needed.
Fundamentals are critical – a well-coached team is taught to make decisions on the field
- Set plays have their place in certain situations.- Examples:
- 10 seconds left, up or down by one- Extra Man- Schemed situations (i.e.: 3 short sticks stuck on
defense)
Introduction
Knowing the fundamentals of the game is essential for success
Teaching set plays before knowing how to play is “putting the cart ahead of the horse”; Lacrosse is not football
Lacrosse is a game of flow (we’re not talking about hair). It’s why soccer, basketball, and hockey players are more easily adaptable to the game.
Introduction
Settled Situations2 pass shooting drill - Teaches proper skills
within the offense you are running Starts with ground ball, split dodge, etc. 3 players in 1-4-1 shell – no one at X or crease
◦ 1 at point◦ 1 at each side of the cage, 10 yards from cage,
along GLE Drill begins with point man running a split
dodge followed by a quick pass to player along GLE (either side)
Offensive End – Frank Clark
Adjacent player receives pass, running through the ball, in a triple threat position
He, immediately, throws a skip pass to opposite side player
The last player catches the ball with proper form and finishes as instructed◦ Time & Room◦ Split to shot on the run◦ etc
Offensive End – Frank Clark
2 Pass Shooting Drill
Unsettled Situations- Full Field Ground Ball Transition
- 3 A, 3 D, Goalies in cage in each color- Middies in alternate colors on opposite side of
midline (one side white/dark/white – other side dark/white/dark)
- Coach rolls a ball to one side for a 2 v 1- Color that gets the ball adds 1 or 2 players to
create an unsettled situation- 10 minutes max – high intensity- Can run it w/ 2A, 2D if limited numbers – use short
field
Offensive End – Frank Clark
Full Field Ground Ball Transition
C
Unsettled Situations- 4 v 4 Lock on to Transition – Starts 4 v 4 in
the box (run a “shell” of any set)- Coach passes to O players who are locked off –
must get open- One pass is made, closest D adjacent to ball
doubles quickly- Ball carrier must protect ball from double team
and move it to create odd-man situation
Offensive End – Frank Clark
Offense1. Getting open when
locked off2. Moving their feet
through the ball on a catch
3. Off-ball picks4. Dealing with a double5. Moving the ball under
pressure6. Two feeds to the open
or back side7. Recognizing a 2 on 1
Defense1. Anticipation2. Quick & Hard
Double3. Sliding in Transition4. Force the Offense
to throw as many passes as possible
5. Recover and replace to the back side
4 v 4 Lock on to Transition Drill – What is Taught?
4 v 4 Lock On to Transition
COACH
Settled Situations – Communication is paramount
- Blind Coach Drill- Jersey Drill
Settled Situations – Basic Skills- Approach Drill
Defensive End – Rob Graff
Starts in 6 v 6 Scrimmage Situation1. Head Coach Stands to side with eyes
closed2. Another coach whistles the play down at
his discretion3. Head Coach points to where he believes
the ball to be based on D communication4. If Head Coach points to the ball, the D has
done a great job – then, whistle coach checks off ball positioning
Blind Coach Drill
Communication / Reacting to being down a man
1. Starts in 6 v 6 – Coach calls out a # – that # runs out of the drill to touch a cone, wall, or bench
2. If he calls a defenders #, O must note advantage and move appropriately – D makes proper call and gets into Zone/MDD look
3. When defender returns, balance out
Jersey (Numbers) Drill
Communication / Reacting to being Man-Up1. Starts in 6 v 6 – Coach calls out a # – that
# runs out of the drill to touch a cone, wall, or bench
2. If he calls an O player’s #, D must communicate and look to pressure/double the ball intelligently
3. D must recognize when advantage is over and check up
Jersey (Numbers) Drill
Beginning Drill in a Series of 3 – 4 Drills / Progression
1. Monkey in the Middle2. Approach with Dodger / 2 Passers3. 2 Passers / 2 Dodgers4. Circle (Hidden Conditioning)
Approach Drill
Unsettled Situations- Your players CANNOT execute a settled
clear or ride without knowing the fundamentals of unsettled riding and clearing.
- How you teach unsettled clears / rides will impact what you do in settled situations
Riding and Clearing / Transition – Troy Hood
Unsettled Clearing – Coach Hood’s Values1. Just like EMO – you have one extra player2. The easiest place to clear the ball is where
it passed or shot from.3. If the opposing ride has a chance to drop,
the ball must change sides of the field4. “Bang it off the wall”5. All 10 players on the field committed to the
clear
Riding and Clearing / Transition – Troy Hood
“Bang It Off The Wall”If you have the ball on the outside, look
inside. If you have the ball on the inside, look
outside.
Virginia does this constantly. With this simple concept (and superior athletes), they turn every clear into a scoring chance
Riding and Clearing / Transition – Troy Hood
SIX POINT DRILL
G G
Player Path
Pass
10 Players Committed to the Clear- This isn’t “time off” for the attack- Keep moving. Use the off-ball skills taught
to get open and help your team clear- The ball is coming to you if successful; work hard
for what you want- Working to get open will kill even the best ride
Riding and Clearing / Transition – Troy Hood
Settled Situations Take advantage of what you do well in
unsettled clears MULTIPLE OPTIONS with every pass Solid stick skills from your team Involve all 10 players
◦ Run clearing drills with players out of position◦ Helps them understand each others’ jobs
Riding and Clearing / Transition – Troy Hood
Unsettled Rides- Great reason to teach attackmen the basics
of defensive play- You’re down a man; play like it- Keep your man, and the ball, in front of you
as long as possible – play the rule to your advantage
- Put the ball on the ground and kick-start transition offense
Riding and Clearing / Transition – Troy Hood
Settled Rides- Same as unsettled rides- Look for match-up advantages
- i.e.: defensemen / goalie with poor stick skills- Deny “bang it off the wall”; if they’re in an
alley, keep them in it and use the sideline as an extra defender
- “Double the hero” – if someone wants to run the ball out by himself, make him earn it!
Riding and Clearing / Transition – Troy Hood
Settled Situations
Unsettled Situations
Goalie Specifics – Sam Litman
“It’s your dime, folks!! Bring it.”
We won’t offer a set answer to every situation. What we will offer is a way to prepare your players to make correct decisions for your team.
Open Forum
Give the players the tools they need to succeed in any situation. This is their game and their youth / high school / collegiate experience. The coach’s role should be such that game day is enjoyable; if you’ve done your job, it will be.
Closing