The “Original” 3-on-2 West Genesee Drill
This is the "Old" version of a true classic practice drill that coaches everywhere use in camps, tryouts, and practices to work on conditioning, stick skills, scoring, and game situations!
West Gennies (pronounced "Jennies") have been used by youth and high school teams for decades. We still see top teams in the NCAA using them today. When we first published our version of the drill, we didn't know it was a variation. Today, we are here to show you "The Original".
This practice game is all about pushing the Break and working the numbers advantage when you get the ball. Every player in this drill will play Offense, then sprint back to "the Hole" to play Man-Down Defense. With fewer players on the field, you give all your players more space to move and more chances to touch the ball, plus teach them to communicate.
Plus, your players will love running sprints for 10-15 minutes. We use this drill with youth, high school and college players all the time. Everybody loves it. They don't even know they're doing conditioning! We use it with our girls teams too.
Here's THE DRILL:
Set up a shortened field, with goals roughly 40-60 yards apart. We have also seen teams play this across the width of the field with the goals on each side of the goal area box, also 40 yards apart. That leaves the other half of your full-size field for another drill or game.
Split up players into two teams and line them up in three (3) lines behind each goal. Mix in your long poles with everybody else. If you don't have two goalies, try using shot blockers or smaller pop-up goals. Or turn your normal goal face down and use the triangular bottom side as your goal. Maybe this will encourage your players to shoot bounce shots--
(Excellent!)
Figure 1.) This is a numbers advantage game! The first three Attackers (Blue 1, 2, and 3) will get an outlet pass from the Blue Goalie and bring the ball down and attack the goal quickly to use the 3-on-2 advantage.
The two Defenders (Red 1 and 2) should start in an "I" formation in front of the cage to cover the "Hole," and play defense "from inside out". Teach your Defenders to communicate who is covering the man with the "Ball!" and who is "Back!" to "Split!" the other two Attackers.
PRACTICE TIPS:
- Keep the drill moving! This is not a dodging drill. These are rapid-fire 3-on-2's going both ways. This drill is all about ball movement and recovery, getting back on Defense!
- This is not a game for outside shots. Throw pass and shot fakes to move the Defenders. Look to make "One More!" pass to the open man. Place your shots and finish inside. Dip and Dunk. Dunk and Dip, etc.
- Dropped passes are immediate turnovers. These numbers-advantage goals are easier to score than even-strength goals. Don't let your players throw away these opportunities.
- Keep the intensity up at practice by keeping time and keeping score for each game. The losing team should do some full-field sprints, hill sprints, Up Downs, Push Ups, etc.
VARIATIONS:
- 3-on-2 from the Sideline: Use this common game situation drill to teach your players to create space, move the ball, and go to the goal! We use this drill at all our summer camps and clinics.
- 3-on-2 with Two Ground Balls: We love this simple drill because it gives your players two reps every time. Twice the work, and twice the fun!
- 3-on-2 Bucket Drill from MLL Tryouts: Use this simple drill from the MLL with your youth or high school players.
- 3-on-2 to 4-on-3 "True North" Drill: Take things up a notch, and give your players two different numbers-advantage situations in the same rep with this great drill we got from Team Canada coaches and players.
