Dodging Lacrosse Drills
16 drills tagged with "Dodging". Use these in your practice plans to build focused, effective sessions.
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.
Give and Go Drill
- The ball starts at the top near the 15 (higher than the 12m) - Start in your right hand and dodge to your left hand - Once you get to the left elbow, pass down to a coach that in next to the goal - Once you pass, cut backdoor on your defender
Zig Zag Dodge Drill
Set up two cones: one downhill, one near goal line extended. Players perform a split dodge at the first cone, then a zigzag dodge at the second, simulating live game action. After the second dodge, make a pass to the backside and cut for a shot. Focus on footwork, timing, and maintaining game-like intensity. Reps should emphasize smooth transitions, realistic angles, and quick decision-making under pressure.
Scoring from X
Set up a goal with a high-crease goalie. Players practice a sequence of 3–4 dodges—split, co-dodge, hesitation—then turn the corner toward the goal. Focus on precise footwork, stick positioning, and quick execution on each move. Incorporate a short final shot under simulated goalie pressure. Emphasize game-like speed and technique over repetition, ensuring each dodge and shot is clean, controlled, and consistent before moving to the next rep.
Gronk Dodging
Set up 2–3 cones 5–10 yards apart to simulate defenders. Catch the ball, square your shoulders to the defender, and engage them with your body. Use a Gronkowski-style dodge: lean into the defender, step off your drive foot to create space, then shoot on the run. Focus on body positioning, balance, and timing to maintain control and generate an open shot. Progress to multiple “defender” cones for live-action practice.
Post Up 1v1
Work on attacking with your back to the cage in a 1v1 setup. Start with the ball entering the 8-meter; the player posts up using elbows, body, and footwork to shield the defender and create space. Incorporate jab steps, body fakes, and shoulder fakes to initiate contact and open shot opportunities. As skills progress, add the four perimeter players for full 5v5 simulation, emphasizing vision, timing, and decision-making under a shot clock.
Rock and Roll from X Dodge
Practice dodging around X and transitioning from one side of the crease to the other. Players line up at X with balls. Set a cone on GLE (left side, 3 yards off crease) and another on the opposite side (5 yards above GLE, 3 yards off crease). Attack the first cone, touch it, drive back behind the crease, sprint to the second cone, inside roll, and finish. Go rapid fire. Switch sides halfway through. Variation: Move cone locations. Add defenders at the cones.
Gauntlet
Develop dodging skills, footwork, and ball protection through a gauntlet of moves. Players line up with balls. 5 cones in a straight line, 5 yards apart. At each cone, execute a dodge (coach-assigned or player's choice). After 2-3 reps, add a soft defender at each cone. Progress to allowing defenders to check. Variation: Move cone positions. Add a shot on goal after the final cone.
Split and Roll Dodge
Teach players to chain dodges together — split dodge into a roll dodge, finishing with a shot. Players line up at the top of the box with balls. Set up 3 cones: one in the middle of the box (5 yards in), and one to each side (5 yards down and over). Players drive in, split dodge at the first cone, go right or left, roll inside at the second cone, and drive for a shot. Variation: Move cone locations. Add defenders at the cones for pressure.
Change of Direction
Develop dodging, footwork, and transitional movement into a shot. Focus on creating time and space. Set up 4 cones in sequence. At each cone, players perform a dodge, switch, or change of direction, then finish with a shot on goal. Emphasize powering off each move and finishing with a shot on the run. Variation: Move cone locations. Add a defender at the last cone. Put targets on the goal or add a goalie.
X Dodge and Crease Picking
Practice dodges from X and crease player movement based on which side the ball comes from behind the goal. Ball starts with a player at X. The hand the ball carrier begins with tells the crease players he'll be dodging to the opposite hand and coming around the goal. Crease players position opposite and away from where the ball will be coming. Variation: Add pick and re-pick, or pick and roll for the crease. Can also run from the top of the diamond with crease players going low.
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