Transition Drill #13A: Lazy/Soft Press Drill
ADVANCED
- Start with a line of lefty's and righty's, on the bench-side of the floor, standing near the restraining-line waiting to enter the drill.
- Variation #1 (10 min): "3 Vs. 2 Checkers." Begin with two lefty or two righty "checkers," depending on who would be on their proper floor side if they were on the far-side of the floor (away from the bench). These checkers should be standing near the far-side crease and shooter positions, in the I-formation, with 3 opposing players starting near the middle of the defensive zone having to get to the standard breakout positions; ball starting with the goalie.
- The goalie makes a breakout pass to any of the 3 players breaking out of the defensive zone, with both checkers doing their best to ride them as they attempt to clear the defensive zone. The 3 players clearing the zone should be given a head start at first (Variation #1A), eventually having defenders start in perfect defensive positioning (Variation #1B). For first timers, players clearing the zone can start already at their breakout positions, with a ball in the stick of the player at the low breakout position on the far-side.
The players breaking out should support the ball as they attempt to clear the zone and the drill is over once a player clears the restraining-line with the ball, or the checkers force a turnover and go in for a shot. New players from each line enter the drill each rep, with coaches switching ends halfway through the drill, so both lefty's and righty's get a chance to practice breaking out against a Lazy Press. (Draw Diagram)
Variation #2 (10 min): "2 Vs. 2 Checkers." Begin with two "checkers" in the I-formation at the crease and shooter positions on the far-side (Variation #2A), or in perfect defensive positioning (Variation #2B), with two opposing players (2 lefty's or 2 righty's) starting near the middle of the defensive zone and having to get to the far-side breakout positions.
A coach has the balls and either rolls the ball to the goalie or dumps a loose ball towards one of the players attempting to clear the zone. For first timers, players clearing the zone can start already at their breakout positions, with a ball in the stick of the player at the low breakout position on the far-side. The two players breaking out need to read & react and support each other up the floor, while being pressured by the two checkers. New players from each line enter the drill each rep, with coaches switching ends halfway through the drill, in order that both lefty's and righty's get a chance to practice breaking out against a lazy press.

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