Loose Ball Drill #6: Loose Ball “Reaction” Drill
INTERMEDIATE
- Variation #1 (5 min): "Individually Off The Boards." Have players spread out in one or both ends of the floor, with a ball in their stick, standing 2-3 metres from the boards. This drill may also be used for players in smaller groups, or as individuals (against a wall), depending on the needs of the group. Players pass the ball against the boards/wall and quickly corral the loose ball, challenging themselves with different release points and different styles of loose balls.
- This is a great drill for players to use to warm-up their reaction time prior to stepping on the floor.
- Variation #2 (5 min): "Back Player With The Ball." Have players partner up, with one ball, spread out in one or both ends of the floor. This drill may also be used for specific players in smaller groups, depending on the needs of the group. Have one partner or coach (passer) stand a few metres behind the other (receiver), both partners facing the boards. The partner with the ball throws it at the boards and the partner standing in front must corral the loose ball with very little time to react; it's also a good time to practice the "scoop, tuck & turn" technique. Partners switch positions/roles each rep.
Variation #3 (5 min): "Front Player With The Ball." Same as the above variation except the passer now becomes the player in front of their partner; they pass the ball against the boards and then quickly get out of the way, forcing their partner (the receiver) behind them to react to the ball with even less time.
Variation #4 (5 min): "Competition." Same as the above variation except players track how many catches in a row they make without dropping the ball (Variation #4A).
Another option is to play a "Lax Handball" style game, up to 7, whereby the player who drops the ball while attempting to corral it off the boards, gives up a point (Variation #4B). The only rule is no "lasers." If the opponent has no chance at retrieving the loose ball, the point should be redone. Pylons can also be added as a perimeter, at which point a more competitive game "with lasers" (Variation #4C) may be appropriate for advanced players.
Lastly, players could also make a rule that only one bounce is allowed and/or all passes have to go off of the glass in order to be legal (Variation #4D).

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