4-6 Lacrosse Drills
63 drills for 4-6 lacrosse players. Browse by skill focus and add them directly to your practice plan.
3v3
Work 3v3 situations in the attack zone. 3 offensive players vs 3 defenders. Coach starts play with a ground ball or pass. Play until a goal, save, clear, or whistle. Variation: Defense clears all saves or takeaways out of the box. Add passing requirements or other skill constraints.
2v2
Work 2v2 situations in the attack zone. 2 offensive players vs 2 defenders. Coach starts play with a ground ball or pass. Play until a goal, save, clear, or whistle. Variation: Defense clears all saves or takeaways out of the box. Add rules like a minimum number of passes before shooting.
Give and Go
Develop the give-and-go play. Two lines at the top of the box — one with balls, one without. A soft defender or coach stands in front of the ball line. The ball carrier feeds to the second line and cuts to the goal. The receiver catches, switches hands, and throws a lead pass for the catch and shot. Rotate to the back of the lines. Variation: Change starting locations. Add defenders for more pressure.
Gauntlet
Develop dodging skills, footwork, and ball protection through a gauntlet of moves. Players line up with balls. 5 cones in a straight line, 5 yards apart. At each cone, execute a dodge (coach-assigned or player's choice). After 2-3 reps, add a soft defender at each cone. Progress to allowing defenders to check. Variation: Move cone positions. Add a shot on goal after the final cone.
3 Man Relays
Stop-and-go sprint conditioning that mimics game situations. 2 cones 10 yards apart. One player at each cone, one in the middle. On the whistle, the middle player sprints to a cone and taps hands — that player sprints to the opposite cone and releases the next player. Continue for 2 minutes, then rest 1 minute. Repeat for your target duration. Variation: Add a ground ball or a specific dodge to each sprint.
Box Sprints
Condition players with constant changes of direction that mirror in-game movement. Set up 4 cones in a box, 5-10 yards apart. Sprint to cone 2, side shuffle to cone 3, drop step and side shuffle to cone 4, then accelerate through cone 1. Variation: Add a ground ball pickup on the final sprint off cone 4.
Form Shooting
Force players to shoot on the run with proper hip rotation and balance. Players line up and take shots on the run, focusing on driving through with their hips and maintaining balance through the release. Variation: Add a defender or a second goal in the middle of the field to ensure shooters are going overhand rather than sidearm.
Feed the Crease
Practice defending crease players against picks, cuts, and feeds. 2 offensive players on the crease vs 2 defenders. Perimeter players move the ball around looking to feed the crease. Defenders constantly adjust, staying between their man and the ball to deny feeds. Communication is key to covering picks and rolls. Variation: Have offense work pick/re-pick, high-low cuts, and pick-and-roll on the crease.
Extend and Recover
Improve on-ball and off-ball defensive positioning, including extending to the ball carrier and recovering to the hole. Start as a modified 2v2. Two offensive players pass back and forth, forcing defenders to adjust. When your man has the ball, extend and break down with a bottom-hand check. When your man passes, drop step toward the ball, stick up in the passing lane, and recover to help position in the hole. Maintain the man-you-ball triangle when off-ball. Variation: Progress to 3v3 or 4v4 as technique improves.
Funnel
Practice defensive positioning and holds when playing a ball carrier from up top, directing them down the alley. Defensive middies and dummy offensive middies line up outside the restraining line. On the whistle, the ball carrier drives toward the goal. The defender turns his hips, points feet to the sideline, and takes away the middle. Establish contact with a top-hand hold — top hand on the ball carrier's lead shoulder, bottom hand on lead hip, gloves only (no stick contact). If the dodger rolls back, maintain contact and stay topside, driving them down the alley into the slide.
Hogan Lacrosse Box
Practice throwing and catching on the move while staying accurate to the box area. This is a 3-player drill. One player moves continuously around 2 stationary players. The moving player catches and throws from the "box" area next to his head as he circles. Stationary players work on quick, accurate feeds. Variation: Adjust spacing for longer or shorter distances to increase cardio or touches. Run figure 8s so the moving player works both hands.
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.