Switching Hands

   Had a pretty low key practice on Monday.  Started with simple line drills, but with passing instead of ground balls. 

   Then I wanted to concentrate on switching hands.  We did what I called J-drills.  Put two lines at the top of the restraining box, on either side of the cage.  Put a cone at goal line extended, even with each line.  Alternating lines, the players scooped a ground ball and ran ran the cone at goal line extended, switching hands (if necessary) so they were carrying their stick on the outside of their body (in relation to the net).  The players came around the cone, switched hands again, and went to the cage for a shot.  Then, we altered the drill.  This time instead of going around the cone, the players pivoted to the outside, switched hands and went to the cage.  We had a coach stand at the cones to simulate a defender, so the kids would understand why they were pivoting and switching hands the way they were.  Some of them needed to be slowed down and walked though the pivot, others picked it up pretty naturally.

   The rest of practice we did 1v1, offense vs. defense and fast break coverage.  For 1v1, we paired the kids up, and put them in a circle around the box.  Had them go one pair at a time 1v1, having them switch offense and defense each time.  Also having them move their starting position after each player had been on offense.  Normally for fast break we do a modified 'Genny' drill, but since we were getting tight on time, I had 2 lines of middies at mid-field (one offensive, one defensive), and rotated attack and defense players every few turns.

    All in all practice went well, and we were able to get some good practice in on switching hands as I had hoped.  We have two games before our next practice, and I am hoping the energy level from last weekend carries over today, and Saturday.