Developing a strong crease attacker starts with identifying the skills and mindset needed to be successful around the cage. The goal is to build the basic skill sets first, then progress those skills into more complex applications and decision-making situations.

Keys for a Crease Attacker

There are four key qualities to develop in a crease attacker:

1. Quarterback Mentality
A crease attacker needs to see the field and make plays. Having a quarterback mentality means being aware of what is happening around you and being ready to make the next decision.

2. Able to Beat 1 and See 2
A crease attacker should be able to beat one defender while also seeing the second defender. The ability to recognize the next defender helps create opportunities for both the attacker and teammates.

3. Playmaker > Feeder
The focus should be on being a playmaker rather than simply being a feeder. The crease attacker needs to be capable of creating an opportunity, not just looking to pass.

4. Finisher > Shooter
The goal is to develop finishers. Shooting is one part of the position, but the emphasis is on being able to finish the opportunity when it is created.

Build the Skills With High Reps

The foundation starts with high-repetition skill work. The drills listed for developing crease attackers include T-passing, C-cut shooting, up-the-hash shooting, no-steam redodge, dodge to redodge, and peak passing.

These skills give players repeated opportunities to work on the basic actions needed around the cage.

T-Passing

T-passing is one of the high-repetition passing skills used in the progression. There is also a variation that incorporates a roll out.

C-Cut Shooting

C-cut shooting is included as a high-repetition shooting skill. It gives players another specific shooting action to practice as they develop their crease attacking abilities.

Up the Hash Shooting

Up-the-hash shooting is another shooting skill included in the progression. It is designed as part of the repeated skill work used to develop attackers.

No Steam Redodge

The no-steam redodge focuses on the redodge action and is included among the high-repetition skills.

Dodge to Redodge

Players also work on combining a dodge with a redodge. This adds another layer to the individual skill progression.

Peak Passing

Peak passing rounds out the listed high-repetition skills and continues the focus on passing development.

Progress Into Decision-Making

Once players have worked through the high-repetition skills, the progression moves into decision-making drills. These drills put players into situations where they have to apply their skills in a more game-like environment.

The decision-making progression includes:

  • 1v1s from X

  • Bomb Cut Feeding

  • 3v2 to 3v3 Feeding

  • 3v3 + Feeder

  • 4v4 L

These drills progress from individual situations into more complex situations involving additional players.

From Basic Skills to Game Situations

The overall approach is to start with the desired outcome, break it down into basic skill sets, and then build those skills into more complex applications.

For crease attackers, that means developing the individual skills first and then putting those skills into decision-making situations.

The progression moves from high-repetition skills into decision-making drills, helping players apply their passing, shooting, dodging, and feeding skills in increasingly complex situations.

The end goal is a crease attacker who has the quarterback mentality, can beat one defender and see the second, and is focused on being a playmaker and finisher.