Offense Drill #3A: On-Ball “Cycle & Fill”
- Demo (1 min): Being A Threat
- Arrange players in one or both ends of the floor depending on numbers. Have them stationed on their proper floor sides, at the crease and shooter positions, on both sides of the floor. Other players set to go in this drill should be standing in lines near the boards.
- *Variation #1 (7 min): "Pass Low; Carry High." The drill commences on one side of the floor at a time, with the crease player first engaging their defender (imaginary) then popping out and receiving a pass from the shooter. Players should constantly be "calling for a pass," as a good habit.
- After making the pass down to the crease player the on-ball shooter delays for one-second (which mimics allowing the off-ball cutter to cut first) then V-cuts to the middle looking for a give-and-go and replaces the crease player who subsequently carries the ball up to the shooter position.
Repeat this "cycling" action until the original shooter returns to the shooter position, at which point they take a set-shot (or shot-on-the-run for advanced players) and then the other side of the floor takes their turn. This simple exchange or "cycle" between the player at the crease position and the shooter position is often enough to get the ball carrier room to get off a quality shot as they carry the ball high.
New players enter the drill on the side that just went (waiting for the coaches whistle if beginners) while the other side takes their turn. Players then exit the drill and switch between the shooter and crease lines each time through the drill.
This is a great drill for goalies to practice their footwork (triangle), starting on their goal-line when the ball is low and then stepping out to cut down the angle when the ball is high.
*Variation #2 (7 min): "Swing Pass & Cut." Same as the above variation except after passing down and carrying high, the ball is swung to the opposite-side shooter, who either takes a shot or is effectively in a "Freelance" scenario, passing to any of the open players. Otherwise, intermediate/advanced players can repeat the pass low, carry high cycle on the opposite side of the floor; with the original passer who started the drill eventually taking a shot (as seen in the bottom diagram).
The timing of the cycle is such that as soon as the pass goes low, the off-ball shooter cuts to the middle (as a general team rule), followed by the on-ball shooter 1 second later. In most lacrosse settings, one cycle through these motions combined with a successful swing pass will be enough to generate a high quality shot.
Coaches should be sure to start the ball at both shooter positions, switching which side starts with the ball halfway through the drill. Coaches can request the shot after one or two swing passes (Variation #2A). Otherwise, allowing all 4 players to "freelance" for a shot (Variation #2B), while continuing to use the aforementioned cycling principles.
*Variation #3 & #4 (15 min): "Dummy Defenders." Is the same as the above variations except there is a volunteer defender playing “contain” defense at the crease and/or shooter position. Otherwise, the offender can play defense after their turn on offense, switching lines after they are done.
*Most common error = not delaying for 1 second before cutting the middle
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