Melrose U15 demonstrates "The Trashcan Drill"
Full team drills are a great way to build teamwork and develop a strong chemistry between teammates. Many teams practice the same drill over-and-over that work offensive technique, but forget one of the most important aspects of the game: team defense. The "Trashcan" drill is a defense oriented drill that is fast paced and fun for all players.
Set-Up
Place an object in the center of a defensive zone (metal trashcans are most fun).
Create a perimeter offensive with anywhere from 4-6 players encircling the object about 10 yards apart.
Place the defenders (all-even or one-man down) inside the defensive zone near the object.
The Drill
While the offensive players pass the ball around the perimeter (no skip passes early on), the defenders play "light" man-coverage.
Once a defender's ball-carrier has passed the ball to a teammate, the defender must collapse to the center, stick facing inside (to prevent skip passes) and whack the object with the crosse. Only after he has "calibrated" himself to the center, can he re-engage with another offensive player with the ball.
Eventually, the offensive players can skip passes to make it more challenging for the defenders.
Why This Drill Is Important
This is an important teammwork defensive drill that forces players to protect the "heart" of the defensive zone when playing "off-ball."
This is a drill that requires agility, focus, discipline, and communication.
Staying far away from the "heart" while covering an off-ball offensive player can cause penetrable holes in the team's defense.
Variations
This drill can be done with virtually any number of offensive and defensive players. It is most effective when it is either all-even or with an EMO (Extra Man Offensive). Early stages of this drill should see four offensive players forming a box with three defenders and the trashcan on the inside. As the season progresses, this drill can see more players in a larger area.
Balls In
Featured Drill by Andrew O'Reilly
The Trashcan Drill
26 The Scoop / Spring '15