Train attackers to create coordinated near-post and back-post leads while finishing hard balls played toward goal.
Objective This drill develops attacking communication, timing and positioning around the goal. Players work in pairs to create multiple deflection options and then remain involved so the drill flows continuously from side to side. Skill Emphasis
- Near-post and back-post leads
- Deflections
- Attacking communication
- Timing
- Rebound play
- Positioning around the goal
Drill
- Position attacking lines on both sides of the circle.
- Begin Ball 1 with Player 1 passing left to Player 2.
- Player 1 leads into the circle toward the near-post space.
- Player 2 receives and plays a hard ball toward goal.
- Player 1 attempts to deflect the ball to score.
- Player 1 exits to an outside line, while Player 2 remains for the next ball.
- Begin Ball 2 from the opposite side with Player 4 passing right to Player 3.
- Player 4 leads toward the near post while Player 2 leads toward the back post.
- Player 3 receives and plays a hard ball toward goal.
- Players 4 and 2 attempt to deflect the ball to score.
- Players 2 and 4 exit to new lines, while Player 3 remains for the next repetition.
- Continue alternating sides. The player who delivers the hard ball remains in the drill and becomes the back-post option on the following ball.
Recommended
- Look to score from the initial deflection or first rebound.
- Require attackers to communicate before and during their leads.
- Make sure the two attackers lead on different lines and occupy separate scoring spaces.
- Position the far-post player inside the post with hips facing goal and two hands on the stick.
- Emphasize hard, accurate service toward goal.
- Keep the repetitions moving quickly so the next pair must prepare while the current ball is being played.
- Add a goalkeeper and play the first rebound to make the exercise more game-like.
