Unsettled Decisions
This unsettled drill will grow IQ on offense and defense.
Description of Drill: An unsettled drill working on 1v1s, then building to jump doubles, and making decisions on the fly both on offense & defense.
HOW IT WORKS: The coach will start by throwing the ball into one of the attackers in the box. The players in the box have 4 seconds to beat their defender out of the bottom of the box (not the sides). The goal of the defense is to hold her 1v1 in the box for 4 seconds to release the double.
If the attacker beats the D through the bottom box: Everyone else is released/live and she’s pushing hard to cage for an unsettled 7v7 to goal. (This is the goal of the offense to avoid the double and create an unsettled goal).
If the D holds them for 4 seconds in the box (which is their goal): Everyone else is live and the closest defender outside of the box jump doubles the ball. The key point here is that the next closest defender(s) lock on to any offensive outlets. With how the drill is set up, there should be an available defender to jump double with any available attacker to lock onto outlets depending on where they go. Keep the ball in the double as long as possible!
Equipment Needed: 2 lacrosse goals, balls
Skills Emphasized: 1v1 D, 1v1 dodges, double-teams, tailing on defense, decision-making on both defense & offense, helping your teammates get out of a double on attack, pushing the tempo to goal.
Coaching Points of Emphasis:
ON DEFENSE: This drill requires communication, and decision-making. If they leave an outlet open for an easy pass, the double will not work and will essentially be wasted. That’s not what we want!
ON OFFENSE: Try and beat the defender right away! Always push the tempo to the goal. This drill requires communication, decision-making, and composure. Don’t leave your teammate high and dry in a double. Go to her and help. Once the ball is out, look to move it to expose the open player, and PUSH TO GOAL.
Diagram of Drill:
