A clear is how a team escapes defensive pressure. At 13-14, players can learn a structured three-pass pattern that gets the ball to open space.
Equipment needed: 6 cones, 1 ball, 6 sticks.
Setup: Mark the defensive zone with cones at the restraining line. One defender has the ball in the zone. Two players line up 5 yards away (wings of the clear). One player lines up at the restraining line facing the ball carrier (outlet).
How to run it:
- Defender passes to the first wing, who catches and immediately looks downfield.
- Wing passes to the outlet player at the restraining line. Outlet is the first person to get past the line.
- Outlet advances the ball upfield to open space, then passes to the second wing coming behind.
- Do 4 reps slow, then 4 reps at game speed with a coach providing light pressure.
What to look for:
Each pass should be crisp and on time. If the first pass is late or off-target, the wing has no room to move. The outlet player should be moving to the restraining line before the pass is made. If they’re standing still, they’re not a viable outlet. The second wing should be trailing, ready to continue the clear if the outlet is covered.
Variation: Add a second defender to apply real pressure on the clear. Players have to read the pressure and pick the right outlet, not just run the pattern.