9-12 Lacrosse Drills
197 drills for 9-12 lacrosse players. Browse by skill focus and add them directly to your practice plan.
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.
Gauntlet
Develop dodging skills, footwork, and ball protection through a gauntlet of moves. Players line up with balls. 5 cones in a straight line, 5 yards apart. At each cone, execute a dodge (coach-assigned or player's choice). After 2-3 reps, add a soft defender at each cone. Progress to allowing defenders to check. Variation: Move cone positions. Add a shot on goal after the final cone.
Split and Roll Dodge
Teach players to chain dodges together — split dodge into a roll dodge, finishing with a shot. Players line up at the top of the box with balls. Set up 3 cones: one in the middle of the box (5 yards in), and one to each side (5 yards down and over). Players drive in, split dodge at the first cone, go right or left, roll inside at the second cone, and drive for a shot. Variation: Move cone locations. Add defenders at the cones for pressure.
3 Man Relays
Stop-and-go sprint conditioning that mimics game situations. 2 cones 10 yards apart. One player at each cone, one in the middle. On the whistle, the middle player sprints to a cone and taps hands — that player sprints to the opposite cone and releases the next player. Continue for 2 minutes, then rest 1 minute. Repeat for your target duration. Variation: Add a ground ball or a specific dodge to each sprint.
Box Sprints
Condition players with constant changes of direction that mirror in-game movement. Set up 4 cones in a box, 5-10 yards apart. Sprint to cone 2, side shuffle to cone 3, drop step and side shuffle to cone 4, then accelerate through cone 1. Variation: Add a ground ball pickup on the final sprint off cone 4.
Grip it and Rip it
Develop goalie reactions to shots from multiple locations and distances. Goalie in the crease. A coach receives a pass from anywhere in the attack area and immediately shoots. Both passer and shooter move continuously. Farther shots should be harder; closer shots should emphasize placement. Work all save areas. Variation: Bounce shots. Rapid fire sequences. Goalie makes outlet passes after saves. Multiple passes between coaches before the shot. Up close, use fakes and non-traditional releases.
Side Ladder Clear
Develop a ladder clear, pushing the ball upfield through quick, connected passes. 2 goalies (or 1 goalie and 1 coach). Three lines on each side behind GLE. On "Clear," the first player breaks to the wing on a banana cut. Second player breaks up and cuts to the sideline near the top of the box. Third player sprints to midfield and cuts for a pass up the sideline. Ball moves goalie → wing → box → midfield. Players return to opposite lines. Variation: Adjust spacing between lines to change passing distances.
Out and Up Clear
Improve clearing and pushing the ball upfield quickly. 2 goalies (or 1 goalie and 1 coach) in the cage. Two lines on each side, about 3 yards behind GLE. On "Clear," the near player breaks to the wing on a banana cut while the wide player breaks upfield. Goalie clears to the wing; that player pushes the ball ahead to the player breaking downfield. Players return to opposite lines. Run both sides. Variation: Add a ride to pressure the clears.