Traditional scripted drills don’t involve much decision-making and hence don’t give players much of an opportunity to learn, through creative trial-and-error, game-realistic ways to pivot, throw, find space, create space, and attack space. Keepaway is the simple, obvious, and most effective way to work on these things in a fun and intense way. Full content available to Training Tier patrons.
This exercise is an engaging way to teach good spacing and hex shape. It challenges players to focus on maintaining shape under increasing amounts of defensive pressure, moving the disc quickly (stall 4 counted from anywhere), and prioritising taking the open pass over looking for yards. Full video (Training Tier Patrons only).
This exercise (available to Training Tier patrons) replicates the triangle motion offense pattern that Jack Williams talks about in his analysis video of Ring’s dominator offense. Easy setup and execution of the exercise with a group including demonstrations, and head-cam footage breaking down the details from the first person perspective, so you can effortlessly integrate it into your session. Watch the full video here (3:05).
This drill (available to Training Tier patrons) challenges players to level-up their dribbling game, and trains how to support an active dribbler. One player, being marked by multiple defenders, dribbles between several teammates, who bounce the disc back to them until a turnover or a stall out (4s). Watch the full video here.
This drill (available to Training Tier patrons) involves 1 disc which moves continuously. Players catch and throw, accelerating out of their passes, simulating up-line or slashing cuts, and lateral dribble moves after passing into the backfield. A great replacement for the End Zone Drill which many teams run before matches – gets everybody involved, catching and throwing a number of times each rep. Watch video in full.
This drill video (available to $8 tier patrons) trains players’ ability to accelerate out of their throws into a double-dribble with a teammate. Specifically, bouncing the disc off a player who is moving forward from behind the disc, and attacking downfield with them. Features two examples of this move from the recent US Open 2021 Final between Sockeye and Machine. Full video available to Training Tier patrons.
Keepdisc is similar to ultimate, but with the endzones removed. This trains players to maintain possession in a sustainable way. This is the exercise that I run most frequently, as it works on running/catching/throwing fundamentals, whilst developing useful skills within beginners as well as experienced players. In this video I list a number of modifications which can be applied to expand on the basic concepts. Featured in the video are keepdisc reps from New York Empire tryouts. Full video available to Training Tier patrons.
The Brilliance Box Drill trains players’ ability to accelerate out of their throws, decelerate into their catches, and change direction with the disc in their hands. A progression of the drill also works on misdirection, and 2-person dribbling. Full video available to Training Tier patrons.
The give-go-swill drill trains give-go and dribbling technique, along with misdirection, balance, and using flow and tempo to attack. Players should find that it is more effective to advance the disc through give-go moves – including moves away from the end target – than it is to directly break the force from static. Players also learn to communicate clearly (through gesticulation) with the static players about when/where they want the disc thrown back to them. Full video available to Training Tier patrons.
Initiating flow from static, sustaining flow whilst in good shape, creating and using space as you see it appear, decision making, communication… The Hex Puzzle drill is unique as it trains all these elements which are important in Hex, and all at the same time. It is notoriously challenging to do well, despite the lack of defenders – all 5-7 players must stay engaged and alert in order to maintain the tempo & rhythm of the offence. Full video available for Training Tier patrons.