15+ Lacrosse Drills
239 drills for 15+ lacrosse players. Browse by skill focus and add them directly to your practice plan.
4-Points 1v1
Build 1v1 offensive and defensive skills from multiple starting points around the attack zone. Set up 4 cones around the attack box — one at X, one at the point, and two out wide. Both offensive and defensive lines at each cone. Coach starts each rep by throwing or rolling a ball to the offensive player. The attacker gathers and goes 1v1. Give each rep 4-5 seconds before blowing a double whistle to end. Rotate through each cone. Variation: Roll the ball to start with a ground ball. Add a goalie for live shots.
Inside 1v1
Develop 1v1 skills on both offense and defense around the critical scoring area. Set up 4 cones around the attack box — one at X, one at the point, and two out wide. Offensive lines at each cone above GLE, one defensive line at X. Mark the "Critical Scoring Area" with 4 cones (5 yards off crease at GLE, extending 5-10 yards upfield). Coach starts each rep by throwing or rolling a ball to an offensive player. Offense works to beat the defender into the scoring area. Defense works proper positioning to force low-percentage shots. Variation: Roll the ball to start with a ground ball pickup.
1v1 Scramble or Recover
Teach decision-making in scramble and recovery situations. Set up 3 groups across the half field, each with an offensive and defensive line. Offense starts with the ball. On the whistle, pairs go 1v1 standing side by side. The offensive player presses to the cage, looking to change direction or accelerate past. The defender works to recover to the hole or get a takeaway. Recovering to the middle is the priority for the defender. Rotate through each group. Variation: Change starting locations for each group.
Box reverse
Develop clearing skills and field reversal. 3 defenders start in front of the crease, goalie in cage with the ball. On "Clear," players break out — 2 to one side, 1 to the other. Goalie clears high to the first player, who reverses to the low wing then sprints to the opposite low corner. Low wing swings to the goalie, who clears opposite high. That player throws down to the low wing (who came from the opposite high post), reverses to the goalie, who delivers a final pass to the top opposite corner. Variation: Add a ride to pressure the clears.
Rebound Wall
This drill sharpens goalie reactions, tracking, and positioning when shots come from unpredictable angles. Set the goal 3–5 yards off a solid wall so that shots bounce back toward the net. The coach stands behind the goal and fires balls at the wall, creating unpredictable rebounds. The goalie must track the ball off the wall, step properly, and make the save. Focus on maintaining consistent positioning, staying low and balanced, and reacting quickly with proper hand-eye coordination. To challenge the goalie further, vary shot speed, angles, and timing so rebounds aren’t predictable. The drill builds reflexes and improves confidence handling shots from unexpected locations.
Blind Man's Bluff
The coach selects a random mix of offensive and defensive players. Anything from 3v3 to 4v2 or even 3v5 to simulate unsettled play. Players walk around with their eyes closed while the coach moves them, ensuring they’re randomly spread across the field. On the coach’s signal—“STOP!”—players freeze, keeping their eyes closed. The coach rolls out a ball and yells “Ball down!”. Players open their eyes and immediately play out the situation, attacking or defending based on their numbers. The focus is on loud, clear communication, proper spacing, and quick reads. Offense practices moving without the ball and exploiting openings, while defense adjusts formations and anticipates passes on the fly.
Air Force Drill
The coach blows the whistle and rolls out a ground ball to each wing. Players race to the balls, and whoever wins each ground ball immediately leads a 4v3 fast break toward their designated end of the field. The defenders sprint back to stop the attack, and play continues until there’s a goal, turnover, or the coach whistles the drill dead. Focus on quick pickups, fast ball movement, and communication. Attackers should exploit numbers advantage, while defenders practice sliding, coverage, and recovering under pressure. Variations let you adjust intensity and complexity: change the fast break setup, add or subtract players, bring in players from other areas, or allow the ground ball loser to chase, turning it into a 4v4. You can even have the chaser come from the opposite wing to keep players reading the play and reacting quickly.
Short Field
Move the nets up to create a pretty small, tight field to play up and down. This will be a live 4v4 back and forth. Focus on 2 man games and playing fast and tight. Keep score for a fun competition to boost energy at practice or finish for sprints.
Bump and Run Coverage
Set up the drill like a football pass play with an offensive player lined up across from a defender who does not have a stick. On the whistle, the offense makes one hard move and goes, while the defender bumps, runs, and stays tight in coverage to prevent the offensive player from catching an outlet pass from the coach.
2 D Breakout
2 defenders break out from the goal to the box/alleys. The goalie throws a pass to one defender and then they complete 2 over passes before passing to a third defender/midfielder near the midfield line at the opposite box.
Split Drill
Place cones down the center of the 8-meter to split it in half. Position three attackers on each side, with five defenders total. On the ball side, three defenders play man-to-man (3v3), while the opposite side starts as 3v2. Offense works to swing the ball across to the backside for the advantage. Once the ball moves, one defender may shift over to balance it at 3v3. Offense must stay on their side; only one defender can cross.
Box Passing
- Make a rectangle with 4 lines of players - Players will pass 1-2 balls around, working on catching with their outside hand. - Focus on leading passes.