Ball Control & Tempo

Ball Control & Tempo
Phase 2: Create & Manipulate: As players transition into the Early Train to Compete phase, the focus shifts from executing skills to intentionally creating advantages. Players learn how to manipulate defenders through two-man actions, off-ball movement, proper spacing, and early ball movement while developing the ability to play through second and third actions. Defensively, the emphasis is on communication, help principles, and recognizing how to disrupt offensive advantages. Coaches encourage players to read the game rather than memorize patterns, using competitive, game-like environments that develop intelligent, adaptable decision-makers.	Week 6 Practice / 90 Minute Session	Activities Hawk Passing w/ Brendan Dawson (Haverford School) Offensive Skill Session: Catch and Go Shooting Defensive Skill Session: Side Running Drill 4v4 Small Ball Game 6v6 Scrimmage
Hawk Passing w/ Brendan Dawson (Haverford School) - Link to Drill	Set Up	Focus Points
A good full field passing drills that works on ball control and transition Set Up Set up 8 lines total, and use 2 BALLS The ball will works its way up the field starting with the goalie to the low wing. Pass will continue ti restraining box, midfield wing, opposite restraining box, low wing, to the goalie. Continue the ball moving to the opposite side of field Coaching Points & Principles Everyone (except Goalie) Must cut to the ball to shorten the pass If you are on low wing or sideline, you always Rolla away towards the sideline before making the next pass		4 at each low wing 2 at the retaining box 2 on the Midfield wing sideline
Offensive Skill Session: Catch and Go Shooting - Link to Drill	Set Up	Focus Points
A great shooting drill to emphasize Attacking right off the pass and getting down hill with our shot on the run Set Up Put 2 lines on the high wigs with balls, and a cone in the top center between the two. Add in 2 more cones down each alley, with the second cone being more inside towards the cage. Players will start by getting to the high center cone, and receive a pass from the opposite line. As soon as they catch the ball, they attack the opposite side alley. They should be loaded by the time they get to the first cone, and finishing downhill towards the cage and that inner second cone. Coaching Points & Principles progressions Add in a Roll Back		We want the catch and attack quickly when e change sides of the field Shooting on the run – Getting downhill back towards the cage as we finish out shot Play fast!
Defensive Skill Session: Side Running Drill - Link to Drill	Set Up	Focus Points
A drill that works on defensive footwork and positioning Set Up Put a player or small group near a line, and spaced about 5 yards apart. On coaches whistle, the players will run the direction they are pointing. The emphasize is to turn the hips and run, while keeping your shoulders and stick in a. good position Coaching Points & Principles		Footwork – we are running, not shuffling or crossing our feet Keep your shoulders square to coach while turning your hips to run Stick Positioning – Keep it out straight and under control, especially when you change direction!
4v4 Small Ball Game - Link to Drill	Set Up	Focus Points
An uptempo game that emphasizes 2 player games, aggressive defense, and highly competitive! Set Up Bring the goals up to each restraining box creating a small sided game and split your group into two teams. On both ends, place 2 attack and 2 defense. To start the game, bring in two midfielders from each team and start the 4v4 game on one side. While they are playing 4v4, on the opposite end, add in 2 defensive midfielders who will be waiting for the gameplay to change direction. Once there is a goal, turnover, or dead ball deemed by coach, the defense will get the baulk up to the midfielders to bring down and play on opposite end. The defenders who have been waiting, will now play defense and the 2 midfielders who just finished playing offense, will return to the sideline. The Midfielders will play defense, then offense, and then they will be out. Attack and Defense can stay in for 2-3 minutes and then you can do wholesales changed depending on your personnel. Coaching Points and Principles Progressions You can play a smaller sided game with same principles for younger players in U14-U10 ages		Compete! Great game to keep score and compete Game IQ Offensively – playing in small spaces & implementing the 2 man game. Defense – Play with pressure, communicate Toughness! this drill will be highly competitive and players must be able to play fast and tough
6v6 Scrimmage - Link to Drill	Set Up	Focus Points
A live 6v6 scrimmage allows players to apply the skills and concepts practiced throughout the session in a game-like environment. Play continuously while encouraging communication, decision-making, and teamwork. Keep coaching interruptions to a minimum, using brief teaching moments between possessions to maintain the flow and maximize repetitions. Constraint Ideas: Possession clock • Every player touches the ball • Assisted goals only • Bonus points for defensive stops or caused turnovers • Start from specific situations (clear, ground ball, man-up, etc.) • Limit dodges or require a dodge before shooting • Reward good spacing and ball movement • Play uneven numbers (6v5, 5v6).

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Hawk Passing w/ Brendan Dawson (Haverford School)
Offensive Skill Session: Catch and Go Shooting
Defensive Skill Session: Side Running Drill
4v4 Small Ball Game
6v6 Scrimmage

Phase 2: Create & Manipulate: As players transition into the Early Train to Compete phase, the focus shifts from executing skills to intentionally creating advantages. Players learn how to manipulate defenders through two-man actions, off-ball movement, proper spacing, and early ball movement while developing the ability to play through second and third actions. Defensively, the emphasis is on communication, help principles, and recognizing how to disrupt offensive advantages. Coaches encourage players to read the game rather than memorize patterns, using competitive, game-like environments that develop intelligent, adaptable decision-makers.

Week 6 Practice / 90 Minute Session

Please Note:The practice is designed to bring value across multiple age levels. You can use this as a foundation to build and develop your own practice. With that being said, we highly encourage you to adjust the drills based on your team’s age and skill levels. Lacrosse Drive should always be used as a starting point — you can make drills easier or harder by changing the constraints.

To make a drill easier, you might Increase the playing area, reduce the number of defenders or rules, add time or space to make decisions

To make a drill harder, you might: Shrink the field or add boundaries, add defenders or touch restrictions (e.g., “one-pass before shooting”), or Limit time or space to force faster decisions

Small adjustments to field size, player numbers, and rules can significantly change the challenge level while maintaining the same core learning goal.

Hawk Passing w/ Brendan Dawson (Haverford School)

Set Up

Set up 8 lines total, and use 2 BALLS

4 at each low wing
2 at the retaining box
2 on the Midfield wing sideline

The ball will works its way up the field starting with the goalie to the low wing. Pass will continue ti restraining box, midfield wing, opposite restraining box, low wing, to the goalie. Continue the ball moving to the opposite side of field

Coaching Points & Principles

Everyone (except Goalie) Must cut to the ball to shorten the pass
If you are on low wing or sideline, you always Rolla away towards the sideline before making the next pass

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Tags

Block - On Air (no opponent)College High School Intermediate Men’s Lacrosse Riding and Clearing Team Passing U14

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Offensive Skill Session: Catch and Go Shooting

Set Up

Put 2 lines on the high wigs with balls, and a cone in the top center between the two. Add in 2 more cones down each alley, with the second cone being more inside towards the cage. Players will start by getting to the high center cone, and receive a pass from the opposite line. As soon as they catch the ball, they attack the opposite side alley. They should be loaded by the time they get to the first cone, and finishing downhill towards the cage and that inner second cone.

Coaching Points & Principles

We want the catch and attack quickly when e change sides of the field
Shooting on the run – Getting downhill back towards the cage as we finish out shot
Play fast!

progressions

Add in a Roll Back

Tags

Advanced Attack Block - On Air (no opponent)College Foundational Skills High School Intermediate Men’s Lacrosse Midfield Shooting Shooting on the Run Team Shooting U12 U14

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Defensive Skill Session: Side Running Drill

Set Up

Put a player or small group near a line, and spaced about 5 yards apart. On coaches whistle, the players will run the direction they are pointing. The emphasize is to turn the hips and run, while keeping your shoulders and stick in a. good position

Coaching Points & Principles

Footwork – we are running, not shuffling or crossing our feet
Keep your shoulders square to coach while turning your hips to run
Stick Positioning – Keep it out straight and under control, especially when you change direction!

Tags

Block - On Air (no opponent)Defense Defensive Positioning & Footwork Defensive Stick & Body Contact Foundational Skills High School Men’s Lacrosse Positional / Tactical U12 U14

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4v4 Small Ball Game

Set Up

Bring the goals up to each restraining box creating a small sided game and split your group into two teams. On both ends, place 2 attack and 2 defense. To start the game, bring in two midfielders from each team and start the 4v4 game on one side. While they are playing 4v4, on the opposite end, add in 2 defensive midfielders who will be waiting for the gameplay to change direction. Once there is a goal, turnover, or dead ball deemed by coach, the defense will get the baulk up to the midfielders to bring down and play on opposite end. The defenders who have been waiting, will now play defense and the 2 midfielders who just finished playing offense, will return to the sideline. The Midfielders will play defense, then offense, and then they will be out. Attack and Defense can stay in for 2-3 minutes and then you can do wholesales changed depending on your personnel.

Coaching Points and Principles

Compete! Great game to keep score and compete
Game IQ
Offensively – playing in small spaces & implementing the 2 man game.
Defense – Play with pressure, communicate
Toughness! this drill will be highly competitive and players must be able to play fast and tough

Progressions

You can play a smaller sided game with same principles for younger players in U14-U10 ages

Tags

2-Player Game 4v4 Advanced College Communication Decision Making Game - Live Play High School Intermediate Lacrosse IQ Men’s Lacrosse Small Area Games Small Area Games Transition U14

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6v6 Scrimmage

A live 6v6 scrimmage allows players to apply the skills and concepts practiced throughout the session in a game-like environment. Play continuously while encouraging communication, decision-making, and teamwork. Keep coaching interruptions to a minimum, using brief teaching moments between possessions to maintain the flow and maximize repetitions.

Constraint Ideas: Possession clock • Every player touches the ball • Assisted goals only • Bonus points for defensive stops or caused turnovers • Start from specific situations (clear, ground ball, man-up, etc.) • Limit dodges or require a dodge before shooting • Reward good spacing and ball movement • Play uneven numbers (6v5, 5v6).

Advanced Beginner College Game - Live Play High School Intermediate Men’s Lacrosse U10 U12 U14

View Drill Page →