9-12 Lacrosse Drills
192 drills for 9-12 lacrosse players. Browse by skill focus and add them directly to your practice plan.
Rapid Fire Warm Up
Get your goalie a high volume of shots from multiple angles in a short time. Goalie starts on the right post. Set up 5 cones at 10-15 yards from the goal in an arc. On the whistle, the first player at each cone shoots one at a time, moving from right to left. Call out shot locations for shooters. Go through as many rounds as needed. Variation: Move cone positions and have shooters vary their shot types.
Diamond Sprints
Practice defensive footwork — drop steps, turns, and recovery movements. Set up 4 cones in a diamond, 5-10 yards apart. Start sideways at cone 1. Sprint at an angle to cone 2, drop step to cone 3, switch drop step direction to cone 4, then drive forward back to cone 1. Variation: Add a ground ball pickup on the final sprint.
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.
Target Practice Face Off
Practice winning faceoffs and directing the ball to specific locations on the field. Set up at the center X. One player at a time gets set with a ball. Before the whistle, the coach drops a cone somewhere in the midfield area. On the whistle, the player wins the draw and forces the ball toward that cone. Next player steps up, cone moves, and repeat. Variation: Use different faceoff moves. Have two players face off against each other with different colored cones as targets.
Round Robin Face Off
Get reps for 2-3 faceoff players going head-to-head with different moves. Set up at the midfield X. Players cycle in and battle until someone wins each draw. Focus on working different moves and playing out ground balls. Variation: Place cones or paint circles to designate where players should direct the ball, simulating getting it to wing players.
Pinch and Pop to a Fast Break
Practice the pinch-and-pop faceoff move transitioning into a fast break. Set up at the midfield X. Faceoff player goes against a coach or soft defender who will lose the draw. 3 attack players set up in the zone for a fast break. On the whistle, win the pinch-and-pop, gain the ground ball, and push the fast break. Variation: Use different faceoff moves. Add trailing players to develop into a slow break or 6v6.
Pass and Pick Away
Teach pass-and-pick-away to create space and scoring opportunities. Three lines at the top of the box — middle line has balls, outside lines do not. A soft defender or coach stands in front of each outside line. Middle player feeds to one side and runs to set a pick on the opposite side. That player uses the pick and drives to the feeder for a catch and shot. Next ball goes the opposite direction. Variation: Move starting locations. Add defenders for pressure.
Inside Pass and Pick Away
Practice pass-and-pick-away concepts inside the attack zone. Three lines — one at the point, two low and wide (resembling a 1-4-1). Point has the ball and feeds to a wing player, then drives in to set an inside pick for the off-ball player. That player times the pick and cuts off it for a feed from the opposite wing. Next group goes the opposite direction. Variation: Add defenders for added pressure and live reps.
Top and Bottom Give and Go
Practice the give-and-go from both X and the point. Two lines — one at X and one at the top of the box. Coach or feeder on the wing. Top player feeds the wing and cuts to the hole for a return pass and shot, then goes to the X line. X player feeds the wing and cuts upfield for the return, turns for a jump shot, then goes to the top line. Variation: Change locations. Add soft defense to force cuts behind or feeds ahead.
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.
Rock and Roll from X Dodge
Practice dodging around X and transitioning from one side of the crease to the other. Players line up at X with balls. Set a cone on GLE (left side, 3 yards off crease) and another on the opposite side (5 yards above GLE, 3 yards off crease). Attack the first cone, touch it, drive back behind the crease, sprint to the second cone, inside roll, and finish. Go rapid fire. Switch sides halfway through. Variation: Move cone locations. Add defenders at the cones.