7-10 Lacrosse Drills
142 drills for 7-10 lacrosse players. Browse by skill focus and add them directly to your practice plan.
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.
Keep Away 5v4
Improve ball movement in tight spaces under pressure. Midfielders play keep-away against defensive midfielders in a confined area between cones (10 yards inside the restraining line) and the restraining line. Start 5v4 with the clearing team up. Variation: Set a possession time limit. Add or remove a player after time expires. If the riding team gains possession, play it out to goal as a 4v5.
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.
Quick Hands
Develop goalie hand-eye coordination without a stick. Goalie in ready position, no stick. Coach stands 4-5 feet away and tosses balls at the cage. Goalie makes saves mimicking stick movements but catches with the top hand. Work all shot positions. Variation: Bounce the ball and have the goalie save it using only the chest protector.
Hit Spots
Develop goalie hand-eye coordination through progressive distance shooting. Goalie in ready position. Coach starts 2-3 yards away, lightly tossing balls while moving in an arc around the goal. Goalie saves and quickly returns the ball. Hit all shot positions twice, then back up to 5-7 yards and repeat, then 10-12 yards. Increase shot speed with distance. Vary release points so the goalie sees different angles. Variation: Bounce shots. Rapid fire sequences. Goalie makes outlet passes after saves.
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.
Punt Return Drill +1
Improve defensive approach above GLE with a recovering second defender. X starts with the ball. D1 is positioned to take away the middle. On the whistle, X dodges and D1 forces him down the alley. D2 recovers to the crease as D1 engages. Variation: Include attackmen and midfielders. Increase speed as players improve. Run from both sides.
Punt Return
Improve defensive approach and positioning above GLE. Defenders in a single line on the crease. At the coach's signal, sprint to the top cone and address the dodger. Force the ball carrier down the alley, away from the middle of the field. Variation: Include attackmen and midfielders for position-specific reps. Increase speed as technique improves. Run from both sides.