Defense (Individual) Lacrosse Drills
42 drills tagged with "Defense (Individual)". Use these in your practice plans to build focused, effective sessions.
Offense/Defense Split Template
Players divide into offensive and defensive groups on opposite sides of the field. Offense: INSERT DRILL HERE Defense: INSERT DRILL HERE ADD DESCRIPTION TO PLAN EXPORT to handle multiple drills in the same block.
Youth Defensive Shuffle Drill
Set up a 5-yard side-to-side area using cones. Players start in a low defensive stance, feet shoulder-width, knees bent, hands/stick in front. Shuffle laterally across the zone, keeping stick up when changing direction. Focus on quick, controlled footwork and proper stick positioning. Progress by adding a ball carrier to reinforce stick placement and reaction while maintaining defensive stance.
Continuous Crease Roll and Top 8M Defense
Drill Description This is a fast-paced defensive drill that gives defenders repeated reps defending crease rolls and 1v1s from the top of the 8M. Balls are placed behind the GLE and at the top of the 12M, with attacker lines at both locations. One defender lines up on the GLE at the hash next to the crease. The attacker behind the GLE goes first and chooses which side to roll. As soon as a shot is taken or the ball becomes dead, the attacker at the top of the 12M is immediately released. The defender must recover quickly, approach with shooting space awareness, slow the attacker, and force her outside. The drill runs continuously at a high tempo.
Diamond 1v1s
Set up cones in a diamond around half the field. Set up 1 cone and another cone 5-7 yards inside. Offensive and defensive players line up at each cone with balls. The defensive player starts on the outside, offensive player on the outside. On the whistle, players exchange, coach throws a ball to offensive player and offensive player dodges to the goal against defensive player. Focus on good approaches for defense and hard dodges & separation for offense.
1 v 1 in Box
Create a 10 x 10 box. One player with the ball in on offense, and tries to get past the other player to the other side of the box. This can be done with the defender with a stick or without.
Knock Down Drill
Two players or coaches are passing back and forth. The defensive line cuts through the pass at a 90 degree angle. They sprint to the cone and come back to the middle/crease leading with their stick to knock down the next pass.
Pentagon Approach
5 cones set up in the shape of a pentagon, about 5 yards apart. 2 players start inside back to back. 1 offensive player runs around 1 of the 3 pre determined cones, while 1 Defender runs around 1 of the 2 other predetermined cones and has to approach the ball. Works on various approach angles and taking away middle of field.
Gladiator
Bucket goes in the middle of the crease. One player starts with the ball ~10 yards away from the bucket. One player starts on the crease. The player with the ball is trying to put the ball in the bucket while the other player is looking to prevent it. This should be competitive and physical.
Footwork Drill
This drill builds reaction time, defensive footwork, and anticipation. Athletes start with foot fires, then on a whistle twist hips left or right while keeping shoulders square. Add cone calls: if the color is behind, they slide; if in front, they sprint, break down, touch, and return. Final stage combines hip twists with cone recognition, forcing quick direction changes and recovery—mimicking real defensive movement.
Foot Work (Ladder)
2 in 2 out 1 in 1 out Icky shuffle Hop scotch One foot jumps
3-Man Ground Ball Drill
Set three players: Player 1, Player 2, and Player 3. Player 1 rolls a ball to Player 2, who scoops it cleanly. Player 2 immediately passes to Player 3, who looks to quickly move the ball back to Player 1 for a shot on goal. Emphasize proper ground ball technique and creating space. Rotate players to keep everyone active.
Def footwork to GB
four cones set up about 5 yards apart in a square, and GB set a little ahead of the box. Sprint forward, side shuffle, back pedal until where you started, then sprint up to pick up GB. Can implement a dodge or dodge then pass coming out of the GB.
Build a practice around defense (individual) drills
Add these drills to a drag-and-drop practice plan, customize timing, and share with your coaching staff.
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