Roll Dodge Cyclone Drill
A roll dodge is a technique used in lacrosse to avoid a defender and create space to shoot or pass the ball. It involves rolling your body and stick across your opponent's body to switch the ball from your dominant hand to your non-dominant hand while protecting the ball from the defender with your body.
The roll dodge is a popular move in lacrosse because it allows players to quickly change direction and evade defenders, creating scoring opportunities. It is particularly effective when a defender is playing tight defense and trying to prevent you from passing or shooting the ball.
This drill is designed to build the fundamentals of a roll dodge.
four coaches set up at cones in a square.
Each coach is about 10 feet away from one another to allow plenty of space for the dodging players.
Four lines of players should be set up about 10-15 feet out from the coaches box.
Each line of players is facing an individual coach.
One at a time the players should drive to the coach starting in one hand, then roll at the coach while switching hands and protecting the stick.
As the players drive and roll, each coach should throw light stick checks at exposed sticks to reinforce protecting the stick.
This drill can be done with less coaches if necessary but four corners allows for a large amount of reps with large amounts of players.
In a roll dodge, the attacker approaches the defender with the ball cradled in their dominant hand. As they get close, they fake a move in one direction to force the defender to commit to that side. Then, they plant their non-dominant foot firmly on the ground and pivot in that direction while rolling their stick across their body to switch the ball to their non-dominant hand. This move creates a shield with the attacker's body, making it difficult for the defender to reach the ball. Finally, the attacker accelerates away from the defender in the opposite direction to create space and make a pass or take a shot.
Key concepts:
Players should focus on planting and pivoting hard while keeping the head of the stick up high near the helmet for protection.
Many younger kids have a tendency to "dangle" the stick after they pivot which leaves them vulnerable to trail checks.
It is important that the player maintains his body between his stick and the defender for protection, after pivoting hard they should turn and run to their stick away from defensive pressure.
