6-8 Lacrosse Drills
92 drills for 6-8 lacrosse players. Browse by skill focus and add them directly to your practice plan.
Fast Break Drill from Face-Off
Combine faceoff work with fast-break offense. Two middies come to the faceoff X, each with a ball. One ball is used for the faceoff, the other placed to the side. Winner attacks with the first ball; loser grabs the second and attacks the opposite end. Both push 4v3 fast breaks. Next pair steps in and repeats. Variation: Add a defender at the box area who runs in after the faceoff to create a 4v4 if the break doesn't convert. Add wing players for full faceoff reps.
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.
Hogan Lacrosse Butt to Butt
Develop body awareness, low leverage, and the ability to scoop a ground ball and escape pressure. Two players stand back to back with a ball on the ground between them. First whistle: players back up and jockey for position over the ball. Second whistle: players can kick the ball out and pick it up, then get away from pressure. Focus on using feet and creativity to get the ball into a position for a clean pickup.
Handling Defensive Pressure
Teach players to handle defensive pressure, work for the ball, and create turnovers under time constraints. 6v6 in the attack zone. Offense holds possession for 6 minutes without leaving the box. After 45 seconds, add a 7th defender and work to double-team the ball. Variation: Shrink the zone with cones, remove offensive players, or use the goalie to double behind the cage.
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.
50 Yard Fight
Build 1v1 skills in a confined space with continuous reps. Two lines of players on each side of the crease extending to midfield — one offense, one defense. The lines restrict the dodging area. Top offensive player steps out and goes 1v1. The defender works on turning and forcing side to side until the attack zone, then plays it out to a shot or turnover. Drill is rapid fire — next pair goes as soon as the previous pair reaches the box. Variation: Change starting locations.
Triangle line Drills
Build stick skills through constant-motion passing and ground ball work in a triangle formation. Set up cones in a triangle, 15-20 yards between points. Players pass in one direction and follow their pass to the next cone. Receivers catch on the run and release quickly. Run 1.5 minutes each direction, then switch and rest. All players should be moving constantly. Variation: Spread players out to increase conditioning and pass distance.
Meat Loaf Drill GB and Passes
Improve passing and catching on the run using both hands, with an emphasis on over-the-shoulder catching and quick hand switches. Similar to the Star Drill. Use 2-3 balls with advanced players. Run in both directions to work both hands. Focus on cross-handed catching (over the shoulder), quick hand switches, and fast passes. Start with ground balls, then progress to passes. Variation: Add more balls for constant involvement. Adjust the distance between lines to change pass length and drill speed.
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.
4 Corner Over the Shoulder GB's and Passes
Improve catching on the run, over-the-shoulder grabs, hand switching, and throwing to the box area. Mark 4 corners with cones, at least 3 players per corner. Start with one ball rotating counterclockwise — catch over the left shoulder, pass with the right hand. Switch directions halfway to work the other hand. Add more balls as skill allows. For ground ball reps, players in line wait for a "break" call, then get a ball rolled to them while moving upfield. Variation: Alternate between passes and ground balls. Have players sprint the sides and jog the top for added conditioning. Blow a whistle to reverse direction and keep players sharp.