October 2014

YOUR edge // coaching tips

DODGING DRILLS

THE NEXT STEP: ROLL, FACE OR SPLIT?

How to empower players to pick the right dodge

As coaches, we teach kids how to dodge, but seldom analyze what it takes to become a great dodger. We show them the roll, face and split dodges, then leave them to their own devices to figure out which one to use and when.

Help your dodgers take the next step with these instructions.

ROLL DODGE

Use it when… the ball carrier has a defender moving across the field (sideline to sideline). The defender’s hips likely will be turned toward the sideline with his or her entire body moving in that direction, making it extremely difficult to recover to a roll dodge.

Set it up… with your ball carrier moving to one side of the field. He or she does not need to go all the way to the sideline, but far enough to get a good run at the opposite sideline so the roll dodge finishes somewhere between the pipes.

Sell it… as a sweep across the top of the field to get the defender to commit. Make the move when the defender engages your player on the goal-side hip or shoulder, allowing him or her to roll off of the contact.

FACE DODGE

Use it when… a defender is coming out to meet the ball carrier in an uncontrolled manner

64 LACROSSE MAGAZINE » october 2014

— TJ Buchanan US Lacrosse coaching education manager

with poor footwork or positioning. The defender is off balance and likely will lunge at the ball carrier.

Set it up… as an option after receiving a pass from a nearby player with the defender rushing to get in position. The ball carrier should anticipate the pass and start their dodge with the ball in the air. That will force the defender to react quickly and sacrifice positioning.

Also effective… when the defense slides and must reposition on a new offensive player.

SPLIT DODGE

Use it when… a defender is squared to the dodger not dictating a direction for the ball carrier. If you see the defender’s toes pointed toward the midfield line, it’s a good time for a split dodge.

Set it up… with speed. The ball carrier takes a few steps back and then sprints at the defender. If the defender attempts to direct the ball carrier to one side, the dodger should focus on attacking the defender’s lead foot, making him or her drop-step with this foot.

Make the move… when the defender opens his or her hips and squares up to the ball carrier, who now can execute a split dodge in the opposite direction and easily get past the defender.

X X X1 X2 X X X3 X2 C G

X1

ROCK AND ROLL FROM X

• Set up two cones: one to the left of the goal 3 yards off the crease at GLE and another to the right of the goal 3 yards off the crease and 5 yards above GLE.

• Players attack the first cone, touch it and drive to the second cone around the back of the crease.

• At the second cone, players roll inside and finish with a shot.

• Go rapid fire, one player after another. Switch sides halfway through the drill.

CHANGE OF

DIRECTION DRILL

• Set up four cones around the goal as shown.

• At each cone, players perform a dodge, switch or change of direction.

• Players finish with a shot.

• Emphasize getting time and space to shoot, changing direction and moving to get hands free.

• Players work on powering off each move at the cone and shooting on the run.

• Vary locations of the cones. Add a defender at a station to simulate game play.

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