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At-home L-pull ball control

Bring a ball toward the body and redirect it sideways along a clear L-shaped path without moving the feet.

8U · 10U · 12UBeginner5 minutes1–1 players
Original drill diagram
At-home L-pull ball control: player positions and movement 1
Overhead close-up: 1 stays still. The dot is the starting ball; the arrow follows the L toward the player, then right. Reverse the side segment for the second set. Original schematic; not to scale. Circles with numbers or letters mark players. Other markers and arrows are explained in the caption; some diagrams show puck or ball movement instead of skating. Red arrows show shots. Follow the written setup for spacing.

How to run it

Equipment: Stick, Soft ball, Floor tape

  1. Make an L on the floor with two 18-inch tape strips. Stand behind the corner with a stick and a soft ball at the far end of the strip pointing away from the body.
  2. Place the blade beyond the ball and draw it toward the corner of the L. Stop the ball at the corner before changing the blade angle.
  3. Guide the ball sideways along the second strip to its end. Return it to the starting point and repeat; the feet remain still for this first version.
  4. Make five successful L routes, then reverse the side strip so it points the other way. Complete five more and take a short break before another set.
  5. Use five minutes. Count routes with a clear corner and a ball kept within one blade width of the tape, rather than quick diagonal shortcuts.

Key teaching points

  • Cue: “Pull, corner, slide.” Each side of the L is a separate control task.
  • Leave enough room in front of the feet to turn the blade at the corner.
  • Keep the lower hand relaxed enough to reposition the stick as the ball changes direction.

Common mistakes

  • Ball cuts diagonally across the L. Try: pause fully at the corner.
  • Ball rolls past the side strip. Try: use a smaller sideways push and stop it at the end.
  • Blade catches on the floor. Try: lighten the pressure and slow the direction change.

Make it fit the player

  • Easier: shorten each strip to 12 inches and pause at all three points.
  • Harder: remove the corner pause while keeping the same precise L-shaped route.
Research context & source notes

Background sources for this drill’s skills and teaching principles.

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