Defensive Transition – “Retreat Drill”

Purpose of the Drill

This drill teaches defenders to:

• Hustle back into the defensive zone

• Get between the attacker and the goal

• Stop fast breaks before they become scoring opportunities

How It Works

1. Starts on the Coach’s Whistle
   As soon as the whistle blows, an attacker sprints toward the goal looking to score.

2. Defender Starts Slightly Behind
   The defender begins just behind or beside the attacker, simulating a disadvantage during transition.

3. Defender’s Goal:

   • Sprint back with urgency

   • Beat the attacker into the defensive zone

   • Get between the attacker and the cage

   • Prevent a clear shot or fast break opportunity

Key Teaching Points

• Effort and Hustle
  This drill emphasizes never giving up on a play and working hard to recover even when out of position.

• Smart Angles
  Players learn to take recovery angles — not just chasing straight back, but cutting off the attacker's path.

• Quick Reactions & Communication
  If run in groups, it’s also great for building communication and coordination during defensive transitions.

Drill Variations

• Start 1v1, then progress to 2v1, 3v2, or even 4v3 to simulate more realistic transition defense.

• Add a goalie for game-like pressure.

• Give the attacker a ball or start without it to work on both scenarios.