Imagine this situation: You’re dribbling down the field and a defender runs straight at you. What do you do? Panic? Hit the ball? Run around her? No, keep your cool and use one of your stick skills to get past your opponent. A stick skill is anything used to dodge or fake out an opponent, one in particular being the dodge. A dodge is exactly as it sounds — a maneuver (usually pulling the ball) used by an offensive player to avoid an oncoming defending player, while still maintaining control of the ball. This guide will teach you how to dodge a defender so you can move with the ball or open up the field for passing and shooting opportunities.
There are three fundamental dodges: The right pull, left pull, and back pull. All the pulls are completed while you are dribbling, but feel free to practice them stationary before putting your skills to the test.
The Pull
The pull is a basic dodge use to get past a defender. Basically, when you have possession of the ball and are challenged by an opponent, you fake her out by stepping in one direction while pulling the ball in the opposite direction. The defender will likely get caught off guard and you’ll be able to get past them and continue up the field with the ball.
Pull Right
Pulling to the right is probably the most effective dodge you can use in the game. Combined with other moves, it has a very high success rate. This move is so popular because it forces the defender to use her reverse stick (weak stick) to defend against you. To pull the ball to the right, follow these steps:
- Hold the stick using the basic grip: Your right hand midway down the stick, and your left hand at the top of the handle.
- Plant your left foot on the ground and fake (pretend to move) left.
- Quickly turn the stick 180 degrees in your hand to grip the reverse stick. The flat side (the “face” of the stick) will face towards the right.
- With the stick’s face on the left side of the ball, make a wide pull by dragging the ball from the left side of your body to the right. Pull the ball in a straight line or slightly back towards your right foot — this prevents possible interceptions.
- Now, turn your stick another 180 degrees in your hand so that you are using your strong stick and control the ball on the right side of your body.
- Turn your body to face the right side of the field and position yourself between the ball and the defender. Accelerate forward.
- Scan the field and evaluate possible passing and shooting options.
When to Pull Right
You should pull to the right when there is a stick’s distance (about three feet) between you and an oncoming defender. This dodge is used to get around opposing players, but make sure to accelerate after the pull to gain the advantage. This move can also open up space (create a defender-free zone) by allowing you to get away from any defender and pass or shoot the ball into a clear zone.
Pull Left
Pulling to the left is a dodge used to beat defenders who are using their reverse sticks. By pulling to the left, you’ll also be able to move from the right side of the field to the inside. On a left pull, the ball is dragged from the right side of your body to the left. To pull to the left, follow these steps closely:
- Place your hands in the basic grip: Your right hand should be midway down the stick’s handle, and your left hand at the top.
- Fake to the right by planting your right foot on the ground and jerking your body towards the right.
- Make a wide pull by dragging the ball with the strong side of your stick from the right to the left side of your body. Make sure to drag flat (straight) across your body, or slightly back towards your left foot.
- Quickly switch your grip to use the reverse stick (turn the stick 180 degrees in your hand) to gain control of the ball on the left side of your body.
- Immediately after you control the ball on the left side of your body, quickly switch your hands back to the basic grip and dribble forward using the strong side of the stick. Accelerate up the field.
- Scan the field for possible passing and shooting options.
When to Pull Left
Pull to the left when you are at a stick’s distance away from a defender. This particular dodge is best used if defenders put themselves in weak positions by using their reverse sticks to defend against you. Pulling to the left will help you beat their defense and it can help you cut (change directions quickly) towards the inside of the field. Do not use this move if the defender is attacking you from your left; dodge by pulling to the right, instead.
Hot Tip: Practice Tips
If you find yourself having trouble switching between the strong and reverse stick, use this practice technique to improve your stick skills. Place two cones on the ground, about two or three stick lengths apart from each other. Start at the cone to the right. Drag the ball to the left cone using your strong stick. Then, turn the stick 180 degrees in your hand to grip the reverse stick, and drag the ball back to the first cone. Continue dragging the ball back-and-forth, from the left side to the right.
Focus on keeping the stick on the ball throughout the entire drag. That is, the stick never leaves the ball as you transition between grips. After you get the hang of it, work on developing your speed and accuracy. It will make pulling the ball much easier.
Pull Back
If you find yourself stuck on the field with no forward passing options, pull the ball back. This will slow down your game by giving yourself space to assess your options. Oftentimes, when players think they are being closed down (when there are a lot of defenders marking them), they will turn away from their opponents and run in a different direction, losing forward vision. To keep your focus on the field and open up some space, pull the ball back:
- Place your hands in the basic grip to control the ball.
- To pull the ball back, switch grips to use the reverse stick.
- Pull the ball back on the right side of your body, behind your right foot. You may also want to move your feet back with the pull (by either dragging or dribbling the ball) for a longer pull. You’ll essentially move back with the pull.
- Turn your body to face the right and position yourself between the ball and the defender.
- Accelerate into open space and scan the field for possible passes.
When to Pull Back
You should pull the ball back when there is little room between you and a defender and you have no forward passing options. By pulling the ball back, you also give yourself more time to make a move and increase your options on the field. Use this maneuver in crowded situations.
Super Stick Skills
After you master these moves, you can add tricks to each maneuver to improve your stick skills. For example, combining a right pull with a lift will help you pop the ball over a defender’s stick and move the ball even further up the field. But first, you must master these fundamentals to establish your skill base. As your skills get better, you’ll continually learn new moves to build on the basics. Keep an open mind and do not be afraid to try new things to create your own moves!
