BEGINNER 

• Demo (1 min):  Sticks Up

• Arrange players into groups of 3, in a straight line, with the outside players approximately 15 metres apart.

• The player in the middle runs continuously back and forth, with their "stick up," trying to knock down and/or pick-off passes being made by the outside players.  The middle player should also mix in different footwork patterns at the coach's discretion:  running forward (*Variation #1), “side-shuffling” both directions (*Variation #2) and "back-pedaling" (*Variation #3). 

• Note:  The purpose of this drill is for the defender to practice "knocking down" passes, therefore the outside passers should deliberately try to pass the ball through the defenders stick (no lob passes permitted).

• For the back-pedaling variation, the player in the middle should stop 2-3 metres short of the players on the outside, and those players should only pass the ball once the player in the middle has started back-pedaling.

• Each player should take two turns in the middle, at 30 second intervals.  Otherwise, coaches can have players switch positions each time "the middle player" knocks down a pass, with the player who touched the ball last going into the middle and the middle player scooping the loose ball and getting into position on the outside of the shuttle. 

• Encourage intermediate/advanced players to mix up their “release points” and throw the ball on different angles (side-arm & underhand, etc.).  Advanced players can also be permitted to side-shuffle 2-3 steps to one side or the other in order to try and open up the passing lane, making the drill more difficult for the defender. 

*Most common error = players not keeping their stick in the passing lane while approaching the ball carrier.