E-MAILDodging drills for midfielders
Ever hear the phrase, "practice like you play"? It's a phrase coaches like to say to their players, meaning you should practice every drill, move, or motion exactly as you would do it in a game. In other words, don't jog during practice, because you won't jog during a game. Practicing everything you do at "game-speed" will make you a much better player.
Midfielders should practice dodging and shooting on the run with the exact same moves they will use in a game. Two great drills for midfielders to practice that simulate game situations include "dodging down the alley" and "the sweep dodge".
Dodging down the alley:
Dodging down the alley refers to starting at an area near the top of the restraining line and dodging in the direction of the end-line, towards the side of the goal. As defenders are taught to protect the middle of the field, dodging down the alley allows a midfielder to take a quality shot without running into the heart of the defense. Practicing the dodge down the alley is a great drill for midfielders, and it should be practiced extensively. The picture below illustrates the steps for dodging down the alley.
Important things to remember when dodging down the alley for a shot:
- Be sure to make your dodge on a 45 degree angle from where you start running towards your defender to where you run out of the dodge, towards the goal. Dodging on a 45 will enable you to run directly towards the goal when coming out of your dodge, which can help you shoot more quickly out of your dodge.
- Make sure your stick is to the outside of your body while dodging down the alley, away from your defender (and away from the middle of the field). This may mean that you have to use your left hand for a shot down the left alley, and your right hand for a shot down the right alley. Once you have mastered dodging down the alley and shooting on the run from one side of the goal, practice the same move on the other side of the goal.
- Aim for the bottom corner of the net on the opposite side of the goal. For example if you're dodging down the alley towards the left side of the goal, you will want to shoot for the bottom right corner of the net.
The sweep dodge:
After you've become comfortable dodging down the alley and shooting on the run from both sides of the goal (with both your right and left hands), try faking a down the alley dodge and sweep across the middle of the field for a shot. After dodging down the alley a couple of times, defenders will often begin to anticipate your dodge and they will assume you are always going to dodge down the alley. Faking the dodge down the alley and then using the sweep dodge is a great way to keep your defender guessing. He won't know which way you will dodge next. The sweep dodge will increase your shooting angle and you will often have a great chance to score.
Important things to remember when using the sweep dodge:
- Don't run too close to the goal or too far to the other side of the field before shooting. If you are running out of your dodge and wait too long to shoot the ball, you will often find yourself running directly towards another defender. As soon as you get your hands free and have a decent angle on the goal, shoot the ball.
- Shoot the ball even if there are players standing in front of the crease blocking your full view of the goal. Often times, players standing on the crease can serve as a "screen", blocking the view of the goalie. Players standing on the crease and screening the goalie will increase your chances of scoring, as it's less likely the goalie will be able to see your shot. Shoot a bounce shot to increase your chances of scoring even further.
Together, the down the alley dodge and the sweep dodge will make you a very dangerous offensive midfielder if you are able to create enough separation from your defender for a shot. Midfielders should practice these dodging drills so they become so ingrained and automatic that they can be perfectly executed them at any time. There will be plenty of chances to use these dodges in a game, and you want to be able to make the most of those opportunities.
