9-12 Lacrosse Drills
192 drills for 9-12 lacrosse players. Browse by skill focus and add them directly to your practice plan.
Ground Ball to Shoot
Player A1 starts with the ball and rolls it out to A4 for a ground ball scoop. A4 scoops the ball and immediately passes it back to A1. After passing, A4 cuts back-door toward the goal to receive a return pass from A1 and finishes with a catch-and-shoot. Focus on clean scoops, accurate passes, and timing the back-door cut to create a good shooting angle. Encourage awareness of defenders, proper stick placement, and quick decision-making. For a challenge, add a defender randomly from either line. With the defender, players can cross in front of the goal and flip or fake-flip the ball instead of making the second pass to simulate in-game adjustments.
Hot Rock
Set up a 20x20 yard box with three offensive players against two defenders. Offense moves and passes within the box, working to keep control of the ball. Defenders work together. One covers the ball, while the other splits the remaining two offensive players to disrupt passing lanes. Play continues as offense tries to maintain possession, and defense tries to create turnovers. Multiple boxes can run simultaneously so all players get turns on offense and defense. Encourage crisp ball movement, smart spacing, and clear communication. Offense should recognize overloads and exploit them, while defense practices teamwork and anticipation. Variations include awarding points for four consecutive passes by offense or interceptions/possession gains by defense to make the drill competitive. Adjust box size or numbers to challenge players further.
Crease Fire Shooting
Setup - Place two feeders (A1, A2) near the top of the box, spaced about 10–15 yards apart. - Crease man (X) starts just behind or slightly to the side of the goal crease, stick in the “box area” near shoulder and head. - Use one goal with a goalie optional for warm-up; adjust spacing if needed for player skill level. Execution The two feeders (A1 and A2) must NOT be stationary. Stress game-like dodge and feeds. The crease man (X) should cut down on a tangent to goal to obtain the best angle at shooting on goal. He must not merely sweep across the front of the cage. Crease stick must be in the “box area” (near shoulder and head). Crease man should not catch and cradle the pass, but catch and shoot in a single motion. Coaching Points - Feeders must move and read the crease man, mimicking live dodge situations. - Crease man’s stick should stay high and tight to the shoulder for proper shot mechanics. - The pass should arrive just as the cutter hit
Four Corner Finish
Setup: Set four players with balls at the corners of a box, about 12 to 15 yards apart depending on age and level. One attacker and one defender start inside the box. Each corner player has a ball. On the whistle, the attacker must cut to space, receive a pass from any corner, and immediately shoot. After each shot, she must quickly reset, cut again, and receive the next ball from a different corner. She can choose the order of corners, but must receive and shoot one ball from each corner to complete the rep. The defender plays live throughout, applying pressure and forcing the attacker to work for separation.
2v1 to the Cage
The drill starts with the coach throwing the ball in to initiate a 2v1 toward the cage. Cut the field in half and attack from a top corner. Keep it in tight. The two offensive players work to move the ball quickly and attack the net, while the defender focuses on playing the middle, having their stick up, communicating, and forcing a low-angle or outside shot.
2v1 Corner GBs
Set up two offensive players and one defender in the corner, then roll a ground ball out to start the rep. The two offensive players work together to scoop cleanly and move the ball with light pressure, focusing on communication and off ball player moving to space (not in line with defender). Emphasize effort and quick ball movement rather than physical contact & competition.
Overs with Rollaway
Over passes with a partner. Each partner will catch the over pass then roll away from pressure, change hands (optional, but encouraged) and throw an over pass.
Hockey/Footie
Set players up in a defined area and have them hockey or kick the ball around in a controlled manner, keeping it on the ground and moving continuously. Emphasize soft touches, awareness, and quick decision-making while staying active and communicating to maintain tempo and control.
Bent Knee Passing
Set players up in pairs about 10–15 yards apart and have them pass while staying in an athletic, bent-knee stance. Each rep, the passer takes two controlled steps forward to throw, then two steps back to receive the return pass, focusing on balance, soft hands, and keeping their base under them the entire time.
1v1 Draws Drill
1v1 Draws Drill Setup: – Two lines of players line up on the draw circle, just like in a real game draw. – Coach stands in the center with the balls and will blow the whistle and toss the ball up at the start of each rep. How it Works: – On the coach’s toss, both players react and battle to gain possession. – Focus on clean stick control, quick reaction, and body positioning. – After several reps, move into elimination format The player who wins the draw stays in and goes to the back of the line, while the player who loses is out. – Continue until one player remains as the overall winner. Focus: – Fast hands and anticipation – Strong stance and body positioning – Competing for 50/50 balls – Quick transition to control after gaining possession
3v3 to 4v4 to 5v5
- Start with a setup 3v3 in a high triangle shape, play through a bit, with emphasis on holding your shape - Play 3v3 for a bit then add 1 defender and 1 attacker. Shape should be in a box now, play through - Add 1 defender and 1 attacker and move into a house shape - Introduce pass pick away, pass cut through - Overall, make sure we continue moving
4 Man 2 Ball
https://youtu.be/ZkGthlWg_Mw?feature=shared