Clearing Lacrosse Drills
28 drills tagged with "Clearing". Use these in your practice plans to build focused, effective sessions.
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.
Weave
There are three lines of players (A, B and C) at the fifty yard-line facing the goal. The middle line (line B) is supplied with all of the balls. The first players in each line start down the field, the middle line cradling the ball. Player B passes the ball to his left to player C, and runs behind him to take his place at the left wing position. When player C receives the ball, he crosses the field to pass to player A, then runs behind him to take the right wing position. When player A receives the ball, he crosses the field and passes to player B, then runs behind him to take his position, and player B crosses again to pass to player C.
Keep Away 3v2
Improve clearing under pressure in tight spaces behind the goal. Goalie on the end line with 2 defensemen. 2 attackmen start 5 yards above the end line. Goalie and defense play keep-away by moving the ball quickly. Attack tries to gain possession or force the ball out of bounds. Players cannot cross GLE. Variation: Set a time limit for possession. Add a third rider or remove a clearing player. If attack gains possession, play 2v2 to goal.
Goalie Clear Passes
Develop clearing passes from the goalie through all levels of the field. Goalie starts with a ball. Outlet pass to the defenseman breaking up the left side. Defender passes to M1 breaking back to the ball. M1 turns and finds M2 breaking on the opposite side. M2 catches, turns, and feeds the attackman in the corner. Attackman turns into the middle for a 10-yard shot. Drill restarts after a save or reset. Variation: Set up multiple goals and run several groups. Allow the defender to play the ball after making the initial outlet.
Canadian 2v2 Ground Balls
Teach defenders to scoop ground balls in the crease area and transition the ball upfield. 2 defensive lines behind the goal, 5 yards from GLE. 2 goalies in the cage. Coach at 15 yards with a bucket of balls. Coach shoots low, soft shots that deflect into the rebound zone. Defenders rush up, scoop the ground ball, break out to the wing, then turn and throw back to the goalie. The player breaks upfield and receives a clearing pass. Repeat. Variation: Add offensive pressure near the crease.
Save To Clear Warm Up
Warm up the goalie's save-to-clear transition. Goalie in the cage. Coach shoots from about 10 yards. 2 players or coaches roam between midfield and the attack zone. Goalie makes the save, then immediately clears long to one of the targets. Alternate clearing targets each rep. Move targets around to vary clearing distances. Variation: Change shot locations. Add targets like trash cans in the midfield for the goalie to hit.
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.
Break Out to Fast Break
Develop ball movement, positioning, and hustle through a clearing-to-fast-break sequence where every player touches the ball. 4 lines behind the cage (3 attack, 1 midfield). On the whistle, attack moves the ball on a clear, getting all 3 a touch before feeding the midfielder breaking downfield. Keep clearing passes away from the middle. Once the midfielder has the ball outside the box, he turns and drives back in on a fast break — pass to the closest attackman, skip pass across, "one more" to the final attackman for the finish. Variation: Add defenders to increase difficulty.
Riding Drill after a shot on Goal
Improve riding after a shot on goal. Defense gets back and picks up clearing players as they set up. Lock defenders onto the attack, and get midfielders back before the clearing team to prevent the fast break. Variation: Strengthen the clear to practice forcing turnovers in live play.
Riding Drill 2-1-3 V with Dead ball off Sideline
Improve riding after a dead ball on the sideline. Lock your players onto the clearing team's attack and midfield. Play a 3-man zone with your attack, splitting the goalie and defensemen. Overload the ball side and force long passes or throws into traffic. Variation: Strengthen the clear to practice forcing turnovers in live situations.
Riding 2-1-3 V Ride with Dead Ball off Shot
Improve riding after a dead ball on the end line following a shot. Lock your attack and midfield onto the clearing team's players. Drop 3 attack players into a zone splitting the goalie and 3 defensemen. The attack zone up and attack the first clearing pass, forcing long or contested throws. Variation: Strengthen the clear to practice forcing turnovers in live situations.