Ground balls are 50-50s. This drill teaches young players to scoop and control loose balls while competing for possession.
Equipment needed: 8 cones, 4 balls, 8 sticks.
Setup: Create four 10-yard by 10-yard squares with cones. Place one ball in the center of each square. Two players stand 5 yards away, facing each other.
How to run it:
- Coach calls “Go.” Both players sprint to the ball and try to scoop it and move it away from the opponent.
- A successful scoop means the player gets the ball to their stick and takes two steps away from the opponent.
- If a player scoops and the opponent knocks it loose, it’s still a ground ball battle.
- Do 4 reps per pair. If one player is dominating, rotate in a new matchup.
What to look for:
The scoop is a downward motion into the ball, not a sideways swipe. The stick blade should be perpendicular to the ground, and the handle should scoop under the ball. If a player is swinging sideways, they’ll miss. Once scooped, the player should accelerate away, not stand and battle. If the ball is bouncing, the scoop was too light or off-target.
Variation: Add a defender. After the scoop, a third player tries to dislodge the ball or force a turnover. This teaches the winner to protect the ball, not just scoop it.