Stickhandling Skills 9: Carry with Vision and Release Pass on Signal

EXPLANATION:

• X1 carries ball ahead in the channel, looking up at X2.
• X2 signals with either stick or hand/arm that he is ready to receive a pass, and exactly where he wants the pass to be delivered.
• As soon as X1 sees this signal, he releases a pass. X1 then follows his pass to X2’s starting position.
• X2 carries the ball back in the opposite direction and the play is repeated. 

VARIATIONS:

• The ball carrier can track the ball on angles to either side as he moves forward. Ball should still be in position to pass immediately on the signal.
• Advanced: Have players carry ball on Left Side of body and make a reverse stick pass on the move. 

COACHING POINTS:

• The ball carrier should use as few touches as possible to move the ball forward. The fewer touches dribbling the ball, the more time he will be looking up at his target.
• Body and ball position: As he is running, ball should be out in front on forehand side. Stick should be close behind the ball, ready to release pass.
• To release a quick pass, the ball carrier will not have time to take several preparation steps, and instead should continue running through the passing motion. This  action and full-body follow-through will allow him to generate some power on the push. 

EVALUATION:

• The two key coaching points here are:
• -how quickly does the ball carrier see his teammate’s signal? (how consistent is the ball carrier’s vision upfield?)
• -how quickly can he release the pass once he has seen the signal
• This drill should help players to see the value of good ball carrying position, and letting the ball run instead of dribbling too much.