Combination Shooting with Dummy Run
Two players check to the ball — the front one steps over it and lets it run, sprints around the stick, and finishes the back checker's first-time ball on goal.
Finishing within the 18 is the whole job here — the dummy run and the combination exist to put the ball in the back of the net, one touch, on target.
Set up · 3 actions · before the kids arrive
- Grab: Cones, your practice sticks, the balls, and your full-size goal.
- Build: On a half field, set 2 sticks around the 18-yard box — spaced the width of the goal and squared up to it; the diagram confirms the spots.
- Place: Split the team into 4 even groups — a line on the end line about 5 yards off each goal post, and two lines about 30 yards out, each even with an end-line group. The balls start at the top line.
Show me the setup picture
One thing to remember: Finishing within the 18 — focused checking runs, the dummy run stepping over the ball, one-touch passes and shots, and good shooting technique with the ball on target.
How it runs — the whole game in one sentence
Two check in from the end line; the front one dummies the top player's pass through their legs, rounds the stick, and one-touches the back checker's ball on goal — sides alternate.
1Organize the players▾
Coach does
Make your 4 even groups — one on the end line about 5 yards off each post, two about 30 yards out facing them — put the keeper in the goal, and start the balls with the top lines.
Coach says
Four groups — two by the goal, two out top with the balls. First two on the end line, be ready to check.
2Show the jobs▾
Coach does
Walk one rep — two players from the end-line group check in to the player with the ball, about 5 to 7 yards apart. The top player plays the ball in toward the front checker, who dummies the run — steps over the ball and lets it run between their legs — then sprints around the stick looking for the next ball. The back checker plays a first-time ball into the middle of the sticks, and the front player finishes with a shot on goal.
Coach says
Front runner — let it run right through your legs, then go around the stick. Back runner — first time, into the middle. Then hit it.
3Play▾
Coach does
Alternate each shot between the two sides and keep the reps coming. Hold the checkers to focused, attentive runs, keep passes and shots to one touch, and demand good shooting technique with the ball on target — this drill is all about finishing, finishing, finishing.
Coach says
One touch — on target! Put it in the back of the net!
Look for: The finish — one-touch shots struck with good technique, on target and in the net.
4Switch and repeat▾
Coach does
Rotate every rep — the shooter joins the top line, the back checker goes to the back of the line and becomes the next front checker, and the top player joins the back of the end-line group. Keep alternating sides so both lines work.
Coach says
Shooter to the top! Next side — check in!
If it's not working
If the dummy keeps turning into a tangle, freeze it and ask — whose ball runs through, and who hits the shot? Let them answer, then play on.
Want to go deeper? Optional — not needed to run the game.