Competition Lacrosse Drills
37 drills tagged with "Competition". Use these in your practice plans to build focused, effective sessions.
Scoop and Clear
Work ground balls in game-like situations with communication, possession, and transition to offense. Coach at the top of the box with balls. 2 lines of light jerseys behind the cage, 2 lines of dark jerseys. Coach rolls a ball out — first players from each line compete for the ground ball using man/ball communication. Team that wins goes on offense, other goes on defense. Play ends on a shot, save, or clear. Variation: Goalie clears all saves/goals to the defensive team for re-break reps. Coach yells "plus 1" to add players and build from 2v2 to 3v3.
5v5
Work 5v5 situations in the half field. 5 offensive players vs 5 defenders. Coach starts play with a ground ball or pass. Play until a goal, save, clear, or whistle. Variation: Defense clears all saves or takeaways out of the box. Add passing requirements or other skill constraints.
4v4
Work 4v4 situations in the attack zone. 4 offensive players vs 4 defenders. Coach starts play with a ground ball or pass. Play until a goal, save, clear, or whistle. Variation: Defense clears all saves or takeaways out of the box. Add passing requirements or other skill constraints.
3v3
Work 3v3 situations in the attack zone. 3 offensive players vs 3 defenders. Coach starts play with a ground ball or pass. Play until a goal, save, clear, or whistle. Variation: Defense clears all saves or takeaways out of the box. Add passing requirements or other skill constraints.
2v2
Work 2v2 situations in the attack zone. 2 offensive players vs 2 defenders. Coach starts play with a ground ball or pass. Play until a goal, save, clear, or whistle. Variation: Defense clears all saves or takeaways out of the box. Add rules like a minimum number of passes before shooting.
Handling Defensive Pressure
Teach players to handle defensive pressure, work for the ball, and create turnovers under time constraints. 6v6 in the attack zone. Offense holds possession for 6 minutes without leaving the box. After 45 seconds, add a 7th defender and work to double-team the ball. Variation: Shrink the zone with cones, remove offensive players, or use the goalie to double behind the cage.
4 on 4 Pressure
Force pressure as passes are made, then transition to a clear after every shot, goal, or save. 4v4 in the attack zone. Offense works the ball while defense pressures passes. After a shot, goal, or save, the goalie clears out and players break into transition. Variation: Go 4v3 or 3v4 to add or reduce pressure.
Cone Smashers
Setup: Coach sets up several flat cone patterns mimicking right- and left-handed face dodges. Divide players into groups of 2–3 per cone set. Each player has a stick; balls optional. Execution: - Players start at the first cone and move through the footwork pattern, “smashing” each cone with their stick or foot. - After completing the pattern, the next teammate goes immediately. Run as a relay race to see which group finishes first. - Continue until all players complete the set. Coaching Points: - Emphasize low, balanced movements; proper foot placement; stick protection; and quick transitions. Each cone should be clearly smashed to reinforce correct mechanics. Variations: - Switch top hand on the stick. - Add a ball and finish with a shot. - Change dodge types (split dodge, roll dodge, etc.) to mix footwork patterns.
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.
Hidey Hoe
Hidey hoe drill 2 lines up the numbers on each side of the net 2v2 GB to goal or whistle Losing team gets a pass from coach adds a player goes 3v2 play to whistle or goal Opposite team gets a pass to a new player makes it a 3v3 to whistle or goal Coach chooses a team to have the ball aplay 4v4 to whistle or goal Repeat
Circle GBs
Players form a circle around the draw circle or any marked circle. On the whistle, the coach rolls a ground ball into the center. Two players run in, compete for the ball, and play a live 1v1. The focus is on reaction, winning possession, and ball protection. Variations: - Running through the ground ball and escaping the circle - Securing the ball and making a pass to a player on the outside. - Coaches can change spacing, number of players, or the escape option.