7-10 Lacrosse Drills
144 drills for 7-10 lacrosse players. Browse by skill focus and add them directly to your practice plan.
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.
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.
Interception
Develop defensive extend-and-recover technique by intercepting passes. X1 passes to X2 — defender extends to play the ball. X2 rolls away and quickly passes to X3. The defender recovers to the inside, stick first, looking to intercept or knock down the X3-to-X1 pass. Variation: Allow the drill to become a 1v1 with the offensive player shooting if they beat the defender.
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.
Canadian 2v2 Ground Balls
Teach defenders to scoop ground balls in the crease area and transition the ball upfield. 2 defensive lines behind the goal, 5 yards from GLE. 2 goalies in the cage. Coach at 15 yards with a bucket of balls. Coach shoots low, soft shots that deflect into the rebound zone. Defenders rush up, scoop the ground ball, break out to the wing, then turn and throw back to the goalie. The player breaks upfield and receives a clearing pass. Repeat. Variation: Add offensive pressure near the crease.
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.
Save To Clear Warm Up
Warm up the goalie's save-to-clear transition. Goalie in the cage. Coach shoots from about 10 yards. 2 players or coaches roam between midfield and the attack zone. Goalie makes the save, then immediately clears long to one of the targets. Alternate clearing targets each rep. Move targets around to vary clearing distances. Variation: Change shot locations. Add targets like trash cans in the midfield for the goalie to hit.