Set up six cones in a semi-circle representing top center, top left, and top right areas. Start at the middle cone and rotate clockwise, designating each cone as an offensive player. Defensive players work on breaking down with short, choppy steps, keeping their stick out to take away top side, forcing attackers to the low alley. Focus on recovery to the inside and maintaining positioning. Repeat counterclockwise for full coverage and consistency. Next player goes when player hits second cone.

Add "Spoke Drill" to your practice plan

Sign up free and this drill is waiting for you in the builder — drag to arrange, set the timing, and export a printable PDF.

Add to Practice — Free

Join coaches building plans from 250+ lacrosse drills — no credit card required.

How “Add to Practice” works

No spreadsheets, no setup. From this drill to a printable plan in under a minute.

1

Add to Practice

Tap the button on any drill and it lands in your plan.

2

Arrange & time it

Drag to reorder and set how long each drill runs.

3

Export & run it

Download a clean PDF and take it to the field — free.

Related Drills

Static 4v3

This drill starts with 4 offensive players and 3 defenders. The 4 offensive players are set up in a rectangle, the 2 low players are at about GLE and 3 yards off the crease, the top players are about 7 yards above the cage even with the bottom 2 players. The 3 defenders set up in a triangle in the middle of the rectangle. The purpose of this drill is for the defense to work on rotating. Specifically, reading the offense's body language and understanding when a full rotation is necessary, versus being able to hedge and go ball to ball. This is traditionally a box lacrosse drill, but it proves to be quite useful at younger levels to help develop defensive IQ. To make this more a defensive drill, the offense is NOT allowed to move. They must stay static in their spots, but its important to emphasize to the defense that they are not trying to take the ball away, but slow down the offense.

Team DefenseMan-Down DefenseTransition

Split field 2 v 2

Work together in a pair mirroring each other. Field is cut in half down the middle. 2v2 until someone scores. Mirror ball carrier. Set picks and roll. Play together.

Team DefenseBox - OffenseHalf-Field

3v3 Drill

Set three offensive players (Player 1–3) against three defenders (Player 4–6) in the attack zone. Coach starts with a ground ball or pass to offense. Offense works quick passes, sharp cuts, and stick skills to find shooting lanes. Defenders communicate, maintain positioning, and contest shots. Play continues until a goal, save, clear, or whistle. Rotate players frequently to keep everyone involved.

Team DefenseShooting

Hawk High

Work on defensive positioning and approach in the attack zone. Defenders line up on the bottom-left cone. At the coach's signal, sprint to the top cone and address the coach as if he were a dodger. Recover to the crease cone. Variation: Include attackmen and midfielders. Increase speed as players improve. Approach from both sides.

Team Defense

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.

Stickwork

Full Field Fast Breaks

Set up two lines of players at opposite ends of the field, with a goalie in each net, three attackmen, and three defenders at each end setup for a fast break (Attack in L shape, Defense in triangle). The drill begins when the goalies at both ends throw an outlet pass on the run to the line on their right (change to left as you see fit). The midfielder gets the outlet and pushes the 4v3 fast break, while the other line sends a chaser to the ball carrier. The drill continues until the fast break results in a shot or defensive stop.

TransitionClearingFull-Field

Over and Down Shooting

Develop ball movement and positioning — move the ball from the top, across and down for a crease finish. 3 lines with cones: one at the top of the box, one at the opposite top, one 3 yards behind GLE. Balls start at the top corner. That player dodges inside, bounces back, and feeds across to the other top line. That player catches and moves it down to the GLE line, who finishes across the crease. Rotate counter-clockwise. Variation: Switch sides. Designate the shooter. Add defense.

ShootingTeam Offense

Scrimmage

Set 10 offensive players (Player 1–10) vs. 10 defenders (Player 11–20) on a full field with nets at each end. Coach starts play with a ground ball, faceoff, or pass. Play continues until a goal, save, clear, or whistle. Encourage players to communicate, apply game-level intensity, and practice transitions, stickwork, and defensive positioning.

ConditioningTransitionFull-Field