Equipment Needed
- Sticks
- One ball per pair
- Cones
Setup
- Set two cones about 20 yards apart; one partner starts at each cone, one ball to begin.
- Open space to the side of the cone line for the cutting partner to run into.
Instructions
- The player with the ball cradles in place for a few seconds, protecting the stick on both sides of the head.
- On the coach's cue, the partner without the ball cuts hard into open space away from the cone line.
- The ball carrier delivers a pass to the cutter, leading them into the open space rather than throwing directly at them.
- The cutter catches on the run, cradles to control, and the pair resets to repeat with roles reversed.
Coaching Points
- Cradle with a loose grip and a rhythmic wrist motion — a stiff, tense cradle is easier for a defender to check the ball loose.
- Cuts should be sharp and purposeful, not a lazy jog; sell the fake direction before breaking to the real one.
- Passes should be led into the space the cutter is running to, not thrown at their current position.
- Catch in stride whenever possible — slowing down to catch gives the defense time to recover.
Variation
Add a passive defender shadowing the ball carrier to add light pressure to the cradle, or extend the pattern to three players so the cutter becomes the next passer.