6-8 Lacrosse Drills
86 drills for 6-8 lacrosse players. Browse by skill focus and add them directly to your practice plan.
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.
Goalie Footwork
Develop goalie footwork, quickness, and ready-position discipline. Lateral Hops: Hop side to side over a shaft, staying in ready position (30 sec) Front to Back: Hop forward and back over a shaft in ready position (30 sec) 2-Step: Take 2 steps right or left over a shaft, maintaining ready position (30 sec) 4 Squares: Work a 4-hop pattern over 2 intersecting shafts (30 sec) Variation: Randomly toss a ball during any drill for a save. Run diagonal patterns on 4 Squares.
Alley Footwork Drills
Develop defensive footwork fundamentals. Players sprint cone to cone using proper technique, planting and exploding toward each cone. Variation: Carry a stick and throw checks at each cone. Play shadow defense on a ball carrier running the same pattern.
Goalie Clear Passes
Develop clearing passes from the goalie through all levels of the field. Goalie starts with a ball. Outlet pass to the defenseman breaking up the left side. Defender passes to M1 breaking back to the ball. M1 turns and finds M2 breaking on the opposite side. M2 catches, turns, and feeds the attackman in the corner. Attackman turns into the middle for a 10-yard shot. Drill restarts after a save or reset. Variation: Set up multiple goals and run several groups. Allow the defender to play the ball after making the initial outlet.
One Feeder Finishing
Practice finishing on cuts with a variety of good and bad passes. A line of players across from a feeding coach. Players cut one at a time across the field, catching various passes (high, low, behind) and finishing on the crease. Variation: Add a defender covering the cutter to pressure the pass and finish.
3v2
Work 3v2 situations in the attack zone. 3 offensive players vs 2 defenders. Coach starts play with a ground ball or pass. Play to a goal, save, clear, or whistle. Variation: Flip it — 2 offensive players vs 3 defenders. Defense clears all saves or takeaways. Add passing requirements.
2v1
Work 2v1 situations in the attack zone. 2 offensive players vs 1 defender. Coach starts play with a ground ball or pass. Play to a goal, save, clear, or whistle. Variation: Flip it — 1 offensive player vs 2 defenders. Defense clears all saves or takeaways. Add passing requirements.
Scoop and Clear
Work ground balls in game-like situations with communication, possession, and transition to offense. Coach at the top of the box with balls. 2 lines of light jerseys behind the cage, 2 lines of dark jerseys. Coach rolls a ball out — first players from each line compete for the ground ball using man/ball communication. Team that wins goes on offense, other goes on defense. Play ends on a shot, save, or clear. Variation: Goalie clears all saves/goals to the defensive team for re-break reps. Coach yells "plus 1" to add players and build from 2v2 to 3v3.
4 Corner Pick and Go Ground Balls
Drill ground ball pickups going straight to goal. Coach at the top of the box with a bucket of balls. 4 lines of players around the attack zone. Coach rolls a ball to a line — that player scoops and goes to goal for a shot, then sprints to the opposite line. Variation: Add a soft defender or coach with a long pole in the middle. Add a goalie for live reps.