4-6 Lacrosse Drills
57 drills for 4-6 lacrosse players. Browse by skill focus and add them directly to your practice plan.
Ground Ball to Shoot
Player A1 starts with the ball and rolls it out to A4 for a ground ball scoop. A4 scoops the ball and immediately passes it back to A1. After passing, A4 cuts back-door toward the goal to receive a return pass from A1 and finishes with a catch-and-shoot. Focus on clean scoops, accurate passes, and timing the back-door cut to create a good shooting angle. Encourage awareness of defenders, proper stick placement, and quick decision-making. For a challenge, add a defender randomly from either line. With the defender, players can cross in front of the goal and flip or fake-flip the ball instead of making the second pass to simulate in-game adjustments.
Hot Rock
Set up a 20x20 yard box with three offensive players against two defenders. Offense moves and passes within the box, working to keep control of the ball. Defenders work together. One covers the ball, while the other splits the remaining two offensive players to disrupt passing lanes. Play continues as offense tries to maintain possession, and defense tries to create turnovers. Multiple boxes can run simultaneously so all players get turns on offense and defense. Encourage crisp ball movement, smart spacing, and clear communication. Offense should recognize overloads and exploit them, while defense practices teamwork and anticipation. Variations include awarding points for four consecutive passes by offense or interceptions/possession gains by defense to make the drill competitive. Adjust box size or numbers to challenge players further.
Crease Fire Shooting
Setup - Place two feeders (A1, A2) near the top of the box, spaced about 10–15 yards apart. - Crease man (X) starts just behind or slightly to the side of the goal crease, stick in the “box area” near shoulder and head. - Use one goal with a goalie optional for warm-up; adjust spacing if needed for player skill level. Execution The two feeders (A1 and A2) must NOT be stationary. Stress game-like dodge and feeds. The crease man (X) should cut down on a tangent to goal to obtain the best angle at shooting on goal. He must not merely sweep across the front of the cage. Crease stick must be in the “box area” (near shoulder and head). Crease man should not catch and cradle the pass, but catch and shoot in a single motion. Coaching Points - Feeders must move and read the crease man, mimicking live dodge situations. - Crease man’s stick should stay high and tight to the shoulder for proper shot mechanics. - The pass should arrive just as the cutter hit
2v1 to the Cage
The drill starts with the coach throwing the ball in to initiate a 2v1 toward the cage. Cut the field in half and attack from a top corner. Keep it in tight. The two offensive players work to move the ball quickly and attack the net, while the defender focuses on playing the middle, having their stick up, communicating, and forcing a low-angle or outside shot.
Sqaures
There are 4 lines (A,B,C and D), each at a point on a square. Player A starts with the ball and runs toward player B. Player B runs toward line C (perpendicularly to player A's movement) and receives the ball from player A. Player B continues with the ball as player C moves toward line D. Player B passes to player C, who advances toward line D. The ball continues to be passed around the square. Variations: - Add more than one ball - Change directions - Left-handed
3v3 Drill
Set three offensive players (Player 1–3) against three defenders (Player 4–6) in the attack zone. Coach starts with a ground ball or pass to offense. Offense works quick passes, sharp cuts, and stick skills to find shooting lanes. Defenders communicate, maintain positioning, and contest shots. Play continues until a goal, save, clear, or whistle. Rotate players frequently to keep everyone involved.
Keep Away 3v2
Improve clearing under pressure in tight spaces behind the goal. Goalie on the end line with 2 defensemen. 2 attackmen start 5 yards above the end line. Goalie and defense play keep-away by moving the ball quickly. Attack tries to gain possession or force the ball out of bounds. Players cannot cross GLE. Variation: Set a time limit for possession. Add a third rider or remove a clearing player. If attack gains possession, play 2v2 to goal.
Two Line Shooting
Improve shooting technique and accuracy from both sides. 2 lines at the top of the box with plenty of balls. Players make a dummy dodge and shoot overhand with the inside hand. Switch lines after each shot to alternate sides. Variation: Vary dodge types. Add a shadow defender. Switch to outside hands. Allow all positions.
Shooting on the Run
Improve shooting accuracy and technique on the run. One line at the top of the box with plenty of balls. Players make a dummy dodge and shoot overhand to three-quarter on the run, rotating hips so they end up backpedaling after the release. Variation: Change sides to work both hands. Add a coach near the goal to force shooters to keep running toward the cage. Allow all positions.
Over the Top Shooting
Improve overhand shooting technique and accuracy. 2 lines at the top of the restraining box with plenty of balls. Players make a dummy dodge and shoot overhand over the first goal (from about 2 yards away) into a second goal behind it. As technique improves, bring shots lower and lower. Variation: Vary the dodge type. Switch between inside and outside hands. Allow all positions to shoot.
Single Line Ground Balls
Develop ground ball skills and outlet passing in a continuous flow. X1 rolls a ball to himself and scoops. X2 chases. X1 curls right or left and passes back to X3, who mirrors X1. X3 then rolls a ball for X2 to pick up. X2 passes to X3. Drill recycles with the next players — X3 starts his own ground ball. Variation: Have the outlet step opposite the defender. Increase defensive pressure as technique improves.
Ground Balls w/Outlet Pass
Develop offensive ground ball recognition and outlet passing. X1 rolls a ball to X4 for a ground ball scoop, then steps out as a shadow defender. As X4 scoops, X2 steps out and mirrors the side X4 turns to. X4 passes back to X2. Variation: Have the outlet player step to the opposite side of the defender.