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Archives by Tag 'Transition Drills'

2 Highly Efficient Clearing Drills for Up-Tempo Lacrosse

By adam.warner - Last updated: Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Join Colgate men’s lacrosse coach Mike Murphy as he demonstrates a pair of high-tempo clearing drills. Watch as Coach Murphy provides an overview of each drill before breaking down the action with his players on the field. These clearing drills incorporate proper fundamentals, conditioning, transition aspects, and playing at a high tempo while under control.

Bang it Off the Wall Clearing Drill

This is an efficient drill that Colgate uses to simulate clearing situations, playing fast in the middle of the field, getting looks to the inside and outside, and getting quality shots as well.

Start with a defender with the ball on the GLE. He will break out wide and then make a long pass to a midfielder near midfield. From here, the midfielder will turn and pass across midfield to another midfielder, who then breaks up field before passing to another player, who then turns and fires to an attacker behind the GLE.

Next, the attacker will then turn and look for a streaking teammate cutting in from up top for a quick shot and score. Meanwhile, a feeder on the opposite side of the cage will also hit a second streaking player for a shot on goal. Overall, there will be two shots on goal, one coming after the other.

In summary, this is a terrific full-field drill performed at a brisk pace that features quick turns, fast ball movement, and lots of shots on cage. You can also do this drill on both sides of the field at once to get players more reps.

Coaching Tips: Middies should be working hard to the ball. Shooters should be calling for the ball. Remember, this is not a shooting drill, it’s a scoring drill.

Dragon Clearing Drill

The Dragon Clearing Drill enables attackers to run the field and get shots in. It also allows middies to play the middle of the field utilizing proper stickwork before getting some shots in. The defense works on crossfield passes. The second part of the drill focuses on unsettled play as the attack and defense play in a 3 v 2 situation.

The drill starts with three lines of players. Three at a time, players run up the middle of the field, keeping proper spacing and passing back and forth. Then after a pass around midfield, one outside player will then streak in and get a shot off on goal while on the run. From here, two different feeders hit the other players for shots as well. Altogether, the three drill participants get shots off on the cage.

Finally, things move into 3 v 2 action at the end of the drill. Players will go full-field with a clear (similar to the first drill) and then the action finishes in a 3 v 2 scenario and shot on goal.

The previous clips can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD ”High-Tempo, High Energy Practice Drills” with Mike Murphy. To check out more videos focusing on team drills, click here.

Two Competitive Fast Break Drills to Liven Up Your Practices

By adam.warner - Last updated: Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Check out this pair of competitive basketball drills that will help your team prepare for game-like transition situations. First read through the drill descriptions below and then watch the clips to see how each one should be carried out on the court.

3-on-2 Full Court Drill

Submitted by Dave Witzig, Normal Community HS, Normal, IL

Overview: This full court drill works on several different skills at the same time and is a terrific drill to do within the first 15 minutes of practice.

Drill Set-up: Divide your squad into two equal teams (let’s say Team A and Team B). One team should be positioned on the sideline while the other team should line up down court on the opposite side. Three offensive players from team A will line up at half court with the middle player holding the ball. Meanwhile, two players from team B will line up in the paint area (with one player at the foul line and the second down low) defending that hoop.

How It Works: At the whistle, team A attempts to score on team B in a 3-on-2 attacking situation. Also, a third player from team B stands on the sideline and waits for a coach to call out “Third Player In.” At that moment, the third player sprints in to help out and make it a 3-on-3 contest.

If the offense scores, they will get into a full-court press and double everything in the backcourt. Meanwhile, two new defenders from team A set up in the front court and they prepare to defend their basket. Team B now tries to break team A’s press. If team A steals the ball, they try to score again on their end. If team B breaks the press, the pressing defenders from team A sprint off the court and go to sideline.

The Finish: After team B breaks the press, they will immediately take the ball down court and attack team A’s back two defenders in a 3-on-2 situation. The third team A defender sprints in to provide help on the coach’s call. Games are played up to 8 points with the losing team doing sprints or pushups. This is a fast-paced and competitive drill that your players will love.

Fast Break Turnover Drill

Submitted by Eric Musselman, Former Head Coach, Golden State Warriors, Oakland, CA

Overview: This is a tried and true drill for improving a player’s ability to change direction quickly when in transition during a turnover. It also helps with catching passes on the move and making fast break layups at full speed.

Drill Set-up: Player 2 has the ball under the basket while player 1 stands somewhere else on the floor (let’s say on the wing).

How it Works: Player 2 begins by passing to player 1 and then sprinting toward him/her before touching the ball. As soon as Player 2 touches the ball, he/she will turn and sprint back toward the basket.

As Player 2 is sprinting, 1 lobs the ball over 2’s head. Player 2 must gain control of the ball and get a layup while running at full speed. While player 2 is making the layup, player 1 runs to another spot on the floor. Player 2 then grabs the rebound, pivots, locates 1, and fires the ball to 1. Player 2 immediately sprints toward him/her and touches the ball.

The Finish: The drill repeats just like before at full speed until player 2 makes five layups in a row.

The previous clips can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD “25 Aggressive Transition & Conditioning Drills” produced by Winning Hoops. To check out more drills in the Winning Hoops collection, simply visit our basketball library.

Filed in Basketball Newsletter • Tags: BasketballCoach Newsletter, Drills, Issue #52, special situations & inbounds plays, Transition Drills, Winning Hoops

Two Competitive Team Lacrosse Drills to Improve Transition Play

By adam.warner - Last updated: Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Add a spark to your team’s transition game by adding these two effective transition drills to your practice plan. Follow along as Cortland women’s head lacrosse coach Kathy Taylor breaks down the action via whiteboard diagrams before moving out to the field for live simulations. These game-like drills are also ideal for getting players to think two passes ahead and learning how to play under pressure.

Princeton Drill

This is a terrific drill for putting players under pressure while on transition. First take the field and divide it and play it across (versus lengthwise). Look to divide it between the restraining line and the 50-yard line.

Split up the team into two colors or units (red and white for this example). We will then get a variety of red lines and white lines set up on the sideline within the playing space. The three red lines and three white lines are lined up on BOTH sidelines.

Meanwhile, a coach will stand in the middle and toss out a ball in the air or on the ground. The team that gains possession first is on the attack. The goal: Get three passes consecutively as your team moves across the field. Be sure to count out loud.

If the ball is dropped or hits the ground, you must restart your counting. The goal is to transition the ball across the field as and quickly as you can. If you are successful, pass to the same team color on the opposite side to continue with the drill.

If a mistake is made, the other team will transition and look to pass it to a teammate on the opposite side. Push the speed factor and really get the players to move the ball. Make it up tempo. The players should enjoy this one as it’s competitive, features a lot of touches, and uses full team involvement.

On the Field

Remember that we are dealing with tighter quarters here, so it’s key for players to keep moving to stay ahead of the pressure. If the ball goes out of bounds, be sure to change possession. Players really must work hard. It’s easy to get tired with the three pass rule in play.

Triangle Drill

This is one of Coach Taylor’s favorite drills. It’s a hard working drill but extremely effective. It’s similar to Princeton, but now we are working in triangles. Players must work together to break out and away from defenders in a triangle formation. Also, look to switch directions periodically. If the other team gets the ball, simply switch from offense to defense.

Tips: Look to run this outside the big circle. You will want a lot of space to get open. Remember, break out and away to receive the ball, not right to the ball.

This is also a great drill as it forces players to think two passes ahead, get open into space, and learn how to handle pressure.

The previous clips can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD “Building Your Team’s Transition Game” with Kathy Taylor.” To check out more videos focusing on transition lacrosse, visit our lacrosse video library.

Filed in Lacrosse Newsletter • Tags: Cortland Women's Lacrosse, Inside the Crease, Kathy Taylor, Newsletter #51, Transition Drills, Transition Offense: Lacrosse

A Pair of Effective Lacrosse Drills for Up-Tempo Defense

By adam.warner - Last updated: Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Pick up two efficient defensive drills this week that reinforce fundamentals and will improve your team’s transition game. The Bulldog Drill and Intercept Pass Drill are both staples for the Tufts men’s lacrosse program, Div. III’s national champs in 2010. From clearing to team communication, these drills cover many facets of the game and will be huge additions to your practice plan this season.

Bulldog Drill

This first drill is a fine tool to encourage good habits for defenders. It also works on getting up the field and using an over pass as a part of a circuit of passing drills.

Start with a coach or goalie rolling a ball out to an open side. Then have an over pass where the ball goes to the other side of the field before two more upfield passes are made. As you roll the ball out, look to run through the ground ball. As you start your transition, try to push up the field and get a fast break. If it’s open, take it. If it’s not open, reverse the ball. Look for a break out pass and then a pass on the other side of the field to finish the drill up.

Coaching Tips: When it comes to the ground ball and driving up the field, we want an explosive move up the field. Sometimes in practice, we have the tendency to go slow. You must go at full speed. Once players get the hang of the drill, look to get more than one ball going at once.

Intercept Pass Drill

The “Intercept Pass Drill” focuses on improving on-ball to off-ball communication, using both ends of the field, and having a continual rotation. Coaches, make sure that the prime defender in the drill intercepts the pass at some point.

The set-up has three offensive players making sure the defender is playing at least two of his main roles on defense: being in the hole, on ball, or adjacent.

To begin, our defender is either in the hole or adjacent. As adjacent, he goes out to play the ball and now he’s on ball. As a new adjacent, he’s working back inside to help out and play team defense. His primary purpose now is to take away the skip pass. You can do that by working back inside. Be sure to look over your shoulder to find the skip lane. Do not blindly look inside.

Alright, so let’s put this all together now. Start by working out to play the ball and apply pressure there. As you work back inside, open to the ball, peak over your shoulder and get in position to get that interception. If you take away that skip pass, you can be in a great position to play great team defense.

Coaching Tips: Don’t leave the drill until you make an interception, even if it takes awhile. Coaches, make sure that players are constantly communicating out there. Also, you can go both sides of the cage at the same time to increase team reps.

The previous clips can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD ”Fundamental Defense Drills for Winning Lacrosse.” To check out more defensive-oriented videos in our lacrosse library, click here.

Filed in Lacrosse Newsletter • Tags: Individual Defense, Inside the Crease, Mike Daly, Team Defense, Transition Drills, Tufts Men's Lacrosse

2 Game-Like Team Transition Drills That Pay Dividends

By adam.warner - Last updated: Wednesday, May 30, 2012

The ensuing team transition drills are perfect for practicing typical transition game situations and promoting healthy competition during practice. Read through the details below and then watch the video clips to see exactly how each drill should be implemented out on the floor.

Circle Break Drill

Submitted by Steve Pappas, Deerfield High School, Deerfield, IL

Intro: The Circle Break Drill is an effective all-purpose drill that incorporates all phases of the game. It can be run with restrictions, but is also ideal for building conditioning and team toughness.

The Set-up: Divide your team into four groups for this 3-on-3 transition drill. Make sure that each team is equipped with a different colored shirt. Team A starts on offense and attacks Team B. Both teams stay on the court until one team scores. The team that scores must get back on defense while another team waiting under the scoring basket inbounds the ball and attacks. If Team A scores, Team B will step off the floor. Team A will get back on defense and Team C steps onto the floor and begins offense.

The Finish: C1 gets the ball out of the net and bursts up the floor with a dribble or pass. When a team steps off the court, they must occupy positions under the basket and on the sideline and should be prepared to enter when the ball goes in their basket. Keep track of the score and play with a time limit. Fouls also result in points and the foul team steps off the floor.

Recovery Drill

Submitted by Bill Savarese, Murry Bergtraum High School, New York, NY

Intro: The object of the Recovery Drill is to get your players to improve their reaction time for getting back on defense and for quicker defensive recovery while in transition. It also incorporates fast break patterns, improves player decision-making abilities, and hones skills for boxing out, rebounding, and shooting.

Set-Up: Line up five offensive players along the baseline and five defensive players facing them and across the court at the foul line extended. Defensive players are numbered 5 through 1 and go from left to right on the court.

The Action: To begin, the coach yells out a defensive player’s number while rolling the ball out to an offensive player of his/her choosing. At the yell, the offensive player secures the ball and heads down court on a fast break. All defenders run back in defensive transition, except for the player whose number was called out by the coach (in this example, X 1). X 1 must run and touch the baseline before transitioning, giving the offense a momentary 5-on-4 break. X 1 must run back as fast as possible to help his teammates while the offense looks to score on transition.

The Finish: On the shot attempt, the defense secures the rebound and heads back into transition going the other way. Rotate in a new group of players (if you have 15 on the roster) and repeat the drill for a predetermined time limit. Be sure to mix up the players that touch the baseline.