|
Pre Practice Offense - Link to Drill
|
Set Up |
Focus Points |
A step down shooting drill that emphasizes team offense out of a 2-2-2 or 1-3-2 offense
Set Up
Put 1 line in each high wing and a line on the high crease. The ball will start with an alley dodge, and the player on crease will be popping up into space for a throwback/jam pass from dodger. The opposite side wing player will mirror the dodger, so thy are in a good shooting position. The pop guy will transfer to opposite low wing for a step down shot.
Coaching Points & Principles |
|
- Dodge hard down the alley, when jamming, we want to roll away to mimic getting hands free
- Pop player should be vocal, and getting into high space for a quick transfer
- Step Down Shooting – catch it loaded and shot of quick!
|
|
3v2 Approach Drill w/ Jim Stagnitta (Premier Lacrosse League) - Link to Drill
|
Set Up |
Focus Points |
Put players in groups of 5, with 3 on the perimeter forming a triangle, and 2 on the inside playing defense. The 3 perimeter plays will pass the ball around, and the defense must slide and cover to maintain their (I) Shape
Coaching Points & principles |
|
- Communicate – “I got Ball” & “I’m In”
- Sticks Up – Maintain sticks up in passing lanes
|
|
Full Field Riding and Clearing - Link to Drill
|
Set Up |
Focus Points |
This full-field, continuous drill gives both sides of the ball live reps within your team’s clearing and riding systems. Start with the goalie and clearing unit working through your Ladder Clear (Or another system if that’s what you prefer), while the riding team applies your core riding principles at full speed. Once the clearing team successfully crosses the midfield line and establishes an offensive possession, the coach blows the whistle to create a dead-ball situation. The ball immediately starts going the opposite direction, with the units transitioning into their new riding and clearing responsibilities. There are no shots or goals unless the coach calls for live offense—the emphasis is on clearing, riding, communication, decision-making, and getting organized in transition.
The drill can easily be adjusted to prepare for specific opponents or reinforce different concepts. Have your clearing group work against different looks such as a 10-man ride, zone ride, or aggressive pressure, or challenge your riding unit against stack clears, traditional ladder clears, or other opponent-specific formations. Coaches can also emphasize transition substitutions, forcing players to recognize when and where to sub without sacrificing field balance. Keeping the drill moving continuously creates realistic conditioning while giving players repeated opportunities to recognize, communicate, and solve full-field situations. |
|
|
|
4V3 New School Game - Link to Drill
|
Set Up |
Focus Points |
An uptempo game that emphasizes quick unsettled situations!
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 4 Offensive Players and 3 Defensive Players. IMPORTANT RULE – Players on both teams are NOT ALLOWED to cross midfield. The game will start with a defending team clearing the ball, starting with the goalie. The players on opposite side of field, must get open for a clean outlet/clear since their clearing teammates cannot cross midfield. The game plays as a 4v3 and the offensive must find the advantage opportunity to create offense. The defense must play player down, and stick to their principles as noted below, to protect the goal. Play for 2-3 minutes, and then sub everyone.
Coaching Points and Principles
Progressions
- Add a 5th offensive and 4the defensive player to create a 5v4 game
- Make playing space smaller for younger players
|
|
- Clearing Principles – Work to get open, spread the field out
- Defensive Principles – Protect the house/crease area, keep sticks in passing lanes, disrupt the offensive play
- Offensively – Find the advantage whether its a 2v1 down the wing or up top
|
|
Defensive Skill Session - Link to Drill
|
Set Up |
Focus Points |
A great Drill Designed by Coach Mike Marich that works on defensive slide and recover principles and offensive spacing
Set Up
Put 5 cones around in a circle, and space based on your player ages and skill levels. Add 4 offensive players on the perimeter and 3 defenders inside. The offense must move the ball around while the defense is constantly sliding and rotating
Coaching Rules, Points & Principles
Progressions
- Add in Cuts from the offense forcing defense to protect the middle
|
|
- Offense No skips Ball can go either direction With one cone free and no skips, one player needs to get to an open cone.
- No skips
- Ball can go either direction
- With one cone free and no skips, one player needs to get to an open cone.
- Defense Stop ball Can’t play ball and first pass Back two guys are help (adjacent and 2).
- Stop ball
|
|
Offensive Skill Session: Crease Finishes - Link to Drill
|
Set Up |
Focus Points |
A team shooting drill that works on the crease finishes. If you player out of a 1-4-1 or a 2-2-2, this is a great shooting drill to use at practice
SET UP
Put 6 lines on the field, 2 on lower goal line, 2 on high wing, and 2 inside the high crease. Only keep 2 players in each line on crease. The ball starts in the top lines, with a pass down to the lower line. The player on crease will cut to the ball for a finish on the crease
Coaching Points and Principles
Progressions
- Add in diagonal cuts
- Add in pump fakes and different finish typer
- Start the balls down low, put players on lower crease, and finish catching upfield and turning back down hill
|
|
- Move your feet when passing, don’t stand still!
- Time up your cut – wait till you make eye contact with teammate with ball
- Finish! focus on high-low
|
|
Shell Motion - Link to Drill
|
Set Up |
Focus Points |
A drill that works on your defensive principles and protecting the house/scoring area
Set Up
On one end of the field, put 5 offensive players and 5 defensive players out, with 4 perimeter and 1 crease player. Use cones to create an 5×5 – 8×8 house area in front of the goal. The offense will move the ball on the perimeter, and the defense will work together to approach the ball, and off ball players working to sink in to help the house. Defenders 2 passes awat should be all the way inside the house, with the adjacent teammates with 1 foot in the house. Have the offense move the ball around so the defense has to constantly move on and off ball to maintain position. Initiate the motion by having a player carry the ball like a sweep from up top, while exchanging spots with other players. You can also incorporate picks to trigger that motion
Coaching Points and Principles
Defensively
Offense
- Move the ball quickly, and think about spacing make good 8-10 yard passes
Progressions
- Add in cuts/motion
Play 6v6 of 4v4
|
|
- Players approaching the ball should break down with their stick out, thinking about the angle of approach, keeping ball carriers away from the middle.
- Off ball defense get you sticks up in the passing lanes
- Communicate “Ball” “1 slide”, “2 Slides
|
|
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). |
|
|
