15+ Lacrosse Drills
239 drills for 15+ lacrosse players. Browse by skill focus and add them directly to your practice plan.
Holman Drill
Set three offensive players (Player 1–3) behind the goal with balls and two defensive players (Player 4–5) up top. On the whistle, Player 1–3 attack the 3v2. On a goal, save, or stoppage, the next two defenders (Player 6–7) enter with a ball to create a 4v3, while the first two defenders stay. Offense rotates out and three new players enter to start a new 3v2. Continue rotations, switching players from bottom to top every 4–5 minutes.
Bears drill
X1 receives pass from goalie then passes to X2 who is already ahead. X2 runs to Half boards (HB). X1 sets pick on invisible defender, opens looking for pass. X2 uses pick and cuts top, passes to X1 for a shot. **Run this with 2 lines at both ends** Evolution: have 2 lines out and a third line on the bench. When X2 passes center, X3 exits front doors and runs in, X2 passes to X3 for a shot. ***Second evolution: coach is in corner and passes to X1 for another shot at goal. Goalie is saving from both sides of court. Coach waits until X3 has released their shot. Goalies need to pay attention.
5v4 Fast Break with Trailing Middie
- Can have 7v6 as well with trail. - Setup with 3 middies on attack and 2 middies on defense coming in from the 50 with 2 attack and 2 defenders low (or 4 attack and 4 defenders low) - Add the 3rd defensive middie once the ball passes the 30. - Defense needs to slow down the ball and then get organized until they can get into a settled offense. - Offense needs to push the fast break before defense can get settled. - Switch out the low girls every 3-4 reps.
Out of Dodge Drill
Start six offensive players in a 1-4-1 formation and six defenders matched up, with a goalie in the cage. On the coach’s whistle, offense begins passing around the perimeter. The coach calls out the jersey number of the defender covering the ball. That defender sprints to the sideline and back before returning to the play. As the defender vacates his spot, the ball carrier attacks the goal, forcing the rest of the defense to slide and adjust to limit scoring opportunities. After a goal or turnover, the drill resets and another defender is called out. Players rotate positions after several repetitions. Emphasize clear communication, proper footwork, and awareness of both the ball and adjacent slides. Defense must move cohesively, anticipate offensive cuts, and maintain strong positioning.
5v4 Drill
Set up half the field with five offensive players and four defenders. The coach holds a ball and can either roll it out as a ground ball or pass it directly into the group to start the action. On the whistle, the offense attacks the goal with one extra player, moving the ball quickly and looking for gaps. The defense slides, communicates, and tries to prevent a shot while managing their numbers disadvantage. The play continues until there’s a goal, save, clear, or the coach blows the whistle. Focus on crisp passes, smart positioning, and timing your slides perfectly. Encourage the offense to use the extra player advantage without overcommitting, and remind defenders to anticipate passes and recover quickly. To mix it up, flip the numbers so the defense has five and the offense has four, or add rules like a minimum number of passes before shooting, or requiring defenders to clear the ball outside the attack zone. You can even start from a ground ball to simulate a chaotic restart.
Gladiator
Bucket goes in the middle of the crease. One player starts with the ball ~10 yards away from the bucket. One player starts on the crease. The player with the ball is trying to put the ball in the bucket while the other player is looking to prevent it. This should be competitive and physical.
Half field 3v3 continuous
- break into 2 teams - there will be 3 lines of each team lined up at the 30 - the light team starts on attack and the dark team starts on defense in a 3v3 - if the light team scores or turns the ball over, the dark team clears to the 3 lines of dark on the 30, 3 light players re-defend. - Once cleared, the 3 dark defense goes out, the 3 new dark players are on offense and the light players that were just on offense are now on defense.
Footwork Drill
This drill builds reaction time, defensive footwork, and anticipation. Athletes start with foot fires, then on a whistle twist hips left or right while keeping shoulders square. Add cone calls: if the color is behind, they slide; if in front, they sprint, break down, touch, and return. Final stage combines hip twists with cone recognition, forcing quick direction changes and recovery—mimicking real defensive movement.
Ground Ball Relay
Break into groups of 3. To start, one girl will roll a ground ball out to the other two. Whoever gets the ground ball is running through the cone, whoever doesnt get the ball, is playing defense on the girl, and trying to turn her. Switch the girl who is throwing the ground ball out. After a few, switch one girl from each group so they are going against different people.
Cadet drill
CADET DRILL WHITE TEAM WILL BE ON OFFENSE Blue and White middies will be in a line on the opposite restraining line. Starts with 3 Attack and 3 D poles off of a GB Play to a Shot, Save or Goal Goalies will clear the ball Ball will get to offensive middie at midfield O Middie will start a 4v3, 5v4 break Trailing defender (D mid) is released off the first pass This will repeat until we are 6v6 Then the drill will reset
Foot Work (Ladder)
2 in 2 out 1 in 1 out Icky shuffle Hop scotch One foot jumps
Z Passing Drill
Lines of 3–5 players with 2 cones set 8–10 yards apart off the sideline. The first player in line runs to the far cone, executes a specific move (around, step back, roll away, split back, or split roll) then passes to the next player. The drill flows continuously with quick reps and limited downtime. - Around: tight turn, stay balanced - Step back: create space under pressure - Roll away: protect stick, change direction - Split back: sharp redirection - Split roll: add deception with footwork