9-12 Lacrosse Drills
197 drills for 9-12 lacrosse players. Browse by skill focus and add them directly to your practice plan.
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.
Star Drill GB and Passes
Improve ball movement and stick skills while avoiding contact with other players. 5 lines in a star shape, 30 yards apart diagonally. Start with one ground ball, then progress to multiple balls and passing. Pass to the player two lines away (#1 to #3, #3 to #5, #5 to #2, etc.). Players should be in constant motion with lots of communication — know who's giving you the ball and who you're throwing to before you receive it. 4 balls is the max for simultaneous motion. 2-4 players per line. Variation: Time how long your players can go without a drop.
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.
Inside 1v1
Develop 1v1 skills on both offense and defense around the critical scoring area. Set up 4 cones around the attack box — one at X, one at the point, and two out wide. Offensive lines at each cone above GLE, one defensive line at X. Mark the "Critical Scoring Area" with 4 cones (5 yards off crease at GLE, extending 5-10 yards upfield). Coach starts each rep by throwing or rolling a ball to an offensive player. Offense works to beat the defender into the scoring area. Defense works proper positioning to force low-percentage shots. Variation: Roll the ball to start with a ground ball pickup.
1v1 Scramble or Recover
Teach decision-making in scramble and recovery situations. Set up 3 groups across the half field, each with an offensive and defensive line. Offense starts with the ball. On the whistle, pairs go 1v1 standing side by side. The offensive player presses to the cage, looking to change direction or accelerate past. The defender works to recover to the hole or get a takeaway. Recovering to the middle is the priority for the defender. Rotate through each group. Variation: Change starting locations for each group.
Rebound Wall
This drill sharpens goalie reactions, tracking, and positioning when shots come from unpredictable angles. Set the goal 3–5 yards off a solid wall so that shots bounce back toward the net. The coach stands behind the goal and fires balls at the wall, creating unpredictable rebounds. The goalie must track the ball off the wall, step properly, and make the save. Focus on maintaining consistent positioning, staying low and balanced, and reacting quickly with proper hand-eye coordination. To challenge the goalie further, vary shot speed, angles, and timing so rebounds aren’t predictable. The drill builds reflexes and improves confidence handling shots from unexpected locations.
Blind Man's Bluff
The coach selects a random mix of offensive and defensive players. Anything from 3v3 to 4v2 or even 3v5 to simulate unsettled play. Players walk around with their eyes closed while the coach moves them, ensuring they’re randomly spread across the field. On the coach’s signal—“STOP!”—players freeze, keeping their eyes closed. The coach rolls out a ball and yells “Ball down!”. Players open their eyes and immediately play out the situation, attacking or defending based on their numbers. The focus is on loud, clear communication, proper spacing, and quick reads. Offense practices moving without the ball and exploiting openings, while defense adjusts formations and anticipates passes on the fly.
Short Field
Move the nets up to create a pretty small, tight field to play up and down. This will be a live 4v4 back and forth. Focus on 2 man games and playing fast and tight. Keep score for a fun competition to boost energy at practice or finish for sprints.
Bump and Run Coverage
Set up the drill like a football pass play with an offensive player lined up across from a defender who does not have a stick. On the whistle, the offense makes one hard move and goes, while the defender bumps, runs, and stays tight in coverage to prevent the offensive player from catching an outlet pass from the coach.
2 D Breakout
2 defenders break out from the goal to the box/alleys. The goalie throws a pass to one defender and then they complete 2 over passes before passing to a third defender/midfielder near the midfield line at the opposite box.
Split Drill
Place cones down the center of the 8-meter to split it in half. Position three attackers on each side, with five defenders total. On the ball side, three defenders play man-to-man (3v3), while the opposite side starts as 3v2. Offense works to swing the ball across to the backside for the advantage. Once the ball moves, one defender may shift over to balance it at 3v3. Offense must stay on their side; only one defender can cross.
Box Passing
- Make a rectangle with 4 lines of players - Players will pass 1-2 balls around, working on catching with their outside hand. - Focus on leading passes.