¶ Block 4 - Individual Attacking Skills and Coordinated Attacks
Objective. Build reliable individual attacking skills under pressure, then connect them into simple 2 player and 3 player attacks with support.
Delivery. Run this block for 1 to 3 sessions. Emphasize clean technique and puck control before adding pressure. Progress to live pressure only when the skill holds up.
Session skeleton. 10 min warm up, 35 to 45 min drills, 12 to 15 min conditioned game, 3 min review.
By the end of Block 4, players should be able to demonstrate the following in short game play:
- Executes a deke under live pressure and keeps possession.
- Executes a fade under live pressure and keeps possession.
- Uses a standard curl or reverse curl to protect the puck under pressure.
- Uses chip and chase with enough distance and speed to regain possession.
- Connects individual skills into 2v1 and simple team attacks with support.
- Space. Half court.
- Markers. Place markers on the floor 2 tiles apart in a straight line for the deke and fade progressions.
- Pressure roles. When adding defenders, start stationary, then light pressure, then full 1v1.
Run 8 to 12 minutes per drill. Keep reps short. Rotate quickly. Progress pressure only after control is consistent.
- Skill focus. Deke
- Purpose. Build repetitions of the deke before adding pressure.
- Stage 1, markers. Players deke every marker in a line, 2 tiles apart. Reset and repeat.
- Stage 2, stationary defenders. Replace markers with stationary players holding a stick as passive opposition. Players deke past each defender.
- Stage 3, light pressure. Defenders apply light pressure and reach with control. Attacker must keep the puck and accelerate out.
- Stage 4, 1v1. Live 1v1. Attacker must attempt a deke at speed and keep possession past the defender.
- Coach watch. Small and fast swerve, extension past the defender, then immediate acceleration.Deke/Fade Drill
- Skill focus. Fade
- Purpose. Build repetitions of the fade before adding pressure.
- Setup. Same drill structure as the deke, but the movement is into the opposite direction for the group standard.
- Stage 1 to 4. Markers, then stationary defenders, then light pressure, then 1v1.
- Coach watch. Movement is only as big as needed, then accelerate past the stick. Keep free arm tight to avoid fouls. Deke/Fade Drill
¶ 3) Standard curl and reverse curl under pressure
- Skill focus. Standard Curl and Reverse Curl.
- Purpose. Protect the puck and change direction under pressure without losing possession.
- Stage 1, no defender. Players swim with puck, perform standard curl at a marker, then exit with speed.
- Stage 2, guided pressure. Defender follows from one side with light pressure. Attacker chooses standard curl or reverse curl to protect the puck.
- Stage 3, live 1v1. Full pressure 1v1. Attacker must keep possession by curling and exiting cleanly.
- Coach watch. Body between puck and opponent, keep puck on the stick, eyes up before and during the curl. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
¶ 4) Chip and chase
- Purpose. Create space behind a defender, then win the race and regain the puck.
- Numbers. 1v1.
- Start. Defender starts between attacker and open space. Attacker starts with puck at control speed.
- Task. Attacker flicks behind the defender into open space, then sprints to regain the puck before the defender can collect it.
- Progression. Increase the required flick distance. Add a second defender as a trailing chase only after the 1v1 is clean.
- Coach watch. Flick must be far enough to beat the defender, and the chase must be immediate. No slow flicks into contact.
¶ Team attacking drills and coordinated attacks
- Purpose. Connect individual skills into a supported attack.
- Numbers. 2 attackers vs 1 defender.
- Start. Attacker 1 carries. Attacker 2 starts in a clear support lane.
- Task. Attacker 1 commits the defender, then either finishes with an individual move, or connects to Attacker 2 for a pass and finish.
- Rule. The carrier cannot go alone. If support is not in a usable lane, reset the rep.
- Progression. Add a recovery defender after the first pass is made.
- Purpose. Build curling and back passing timing with teammates.
- Numbers. 3 players in a channel.
- Task. Swim diagonally across the channel, curl to the outside, then back pass to the next player, repeat in a cycle.
- Breath management. Players can surface after the back pass, then set up for the next receive.
- Reference. Braid Drill
¶ 7) Swim and flick drills
- Purpose. Build speed, control, and timing on flicks under movement.
- Numbers. 3 players.
- Task. Player 1 swims at pace on a 45 degree angle to one side, then flicks straight ahead into the lane for Player 2. Player 2 receives, changes direction to a 45 degree angle to the other side, then flicks straight ahead for Player 3 to receive. Keep the entire sequence between the two lane lines.
- Progression. Add a passive defender in the lane, then light pressure once passes are accurate.
- Game. Conditioned 4v4.
- Condition. A goal only counts after an individual skill is used to beat a defender, or after a 2v1 creates a clear shot.
- Coach control. Stop play for repeated isolation, crowded support lanes, or forcing through the middle with no support.
- Control first, then speed
- Beat the stick, then accelerate
- Eyes up before the move
- Keep the puck on the stick
- Go only with support
- Commit, then pass or finish
- Markers to stationary defenders to light pressure to full 1v1.
- Add pressure only when the puck stays controlled through the move.
- Add recovery defenders only after 2v1 timing is consistent.
- Reduce pressure and slow the entry speed.
- Increase spacing between markers or defenders.
- Return to repetitions without defenders, then re-add pressure in stages.
- Move is too big and puck control is lost. Cue, “Small move, then accelerate.
- Hips and shoulders lift during the curl. Cue, “Keep your hips and shoulders down. Close the gap underneath your body.”
- Chip is too short and creates contact. Cue, “Flick far enough to win the race.”
- 2v1 becomes two solo drives. Cue, “Support lane first.”