Extra-Man Offense Lacrosse Drills
27 drills tagged with "Extra-Man Offense". Use these in your practice plans to build focused, effective sessions.
West Genny
Set three offensive players (Player 1–3) vs. two defenders (Player 4–5) on a short field with a net at each end (sideline-to-sideline OR box-to-box OR similar distance). Play 3v2 until a goal or turnover. The last offensive player to touch the ball rotates out; remaining offense switches to defense and runs back into the hole to defend their net. The goalie clears a new ball to 3 new offensive players pushing down in a 3v2. End practice on a high note and keep score for fun!
2v1 Ground Balls
Set three lines 2 yards apart: two teammates on the outside lines, one defender in the middle line. Coach rolls a ball toward the middle. First teammate scoops the ball; second teammate positions between ball and defender, using body and stick to shield. Communicate and work together to win possession. Can vary angles or progress to a “go to goal” scenario.
Scrappin'
Scrappin is a high-energy starter drill that builds toughness, stick skills, and communication in tight spaces. Three offensive players face two defenders inside a cone box (~15 yards from goal). Coach rolls out three balls per rep. Players battle for ground balls, then offense looks to space out in a triangle and move the ball quickly for a finish. Defense works 2v3 with sticks in lanes, disrupting passes, and clearing outside the cones. Points: offense scores on goals, defense scores on clear
3v2 Drill
Set three offensive players (Player 1–3) against two defenders (Player 4–5) in the attack zone. Coach starts with a ground ball or pass to offense. Offense works quick passes, sharp cuts, and stick skills to create high-percentage shots. Defenders communicate, slide, and maintain positioning. Play continues until a goal, save, clear, or whistle. Rotate roles to keep all players active.
3-2 Read and Feed Offensive Drill
6-person drill simulating slide recovery window exploitation. Dodger attacks, forces slide from two defenders who exit drill. Creates 3v2: feeder receives pass, reads two remaining defenders. Three options based on defensive reaction: feed backside dive if defender guards ball, feed pop behind ball if defender takes backside, or wrap corner if defender gets caught between. Emphasizes quick decisions during defensive recovery gaps.
JHU
5 Lines of players are lined up along GLE (Lines in Order: Offense, Defense, Offense, Goal, Defense, Offense). A cone is placed 5 yards on the outside of the first and last offense lines, a cone is placed at the top of the box in front of the inner offense line (distance can vary on age and speed of drill). When whistle is blown, the outer offense and defense must run around the outside cones and drop into the whole of the field, the inner offense must run around the top cone and receive a ball to play to a goal or dead ball.
3v2 Sideways
Set up cones to define each team’s half of the field. Place three offensive players (Player 1–3) vs. two defenders (Player 4–5). On the whistle, offense moves the ball within boundaries, looking for high-percentage shots; defenders communicate, stay tight, and force turnovers. Can start with ground balls, adjust players, or shift boundaries for progression.
Holman Drill
Set three offensive players (Player 1–3) behind the goal with balls and two defensive players (Player 4–5) up top. On the whistle, Player 1–3 attack the 3v2. On a goal, save, or stoppage, the next two defenders (Player 6–7) enter with a ball to create a 4v3, while the first two defenders stay. Offense rotates out and three new players enter to start a new 3v2. Continue rotations, switching players from bottom to top every 4–5 minutes.
5v4 Fast Break with Trailing Middie
- Can have 7v6 as well with trail. - Setup with 3 middies on attack and 2 middies on defense coming in from the 50 with 2 attack and 2 defenders low (or 4 attack and 4 defenders low) - Add the 3rd defensive middie once the ball passes the 30. - Defense needs to slow down the ball and then get organized until they can get into a settled offense. - Offense needs to push the fast break before defense can get settled. - Switch out the low girls every 3-4 reps.
Out of Dodge Drill
Start six offensive players in a 1-4-1 formation and six defenders matched up, with a goalie in the cage. On the coach’s whistle, offense begins passing around the perimeter. The coach calls out the jersey number of the defender covering the ball. That defender sprints to the sideline and back before returning to the play. As the defender vacates his spot, the ball carrier attacks the goal, forcing the rest of the defense to slide and adjust to limit scoring opportunities. After a goal or turnover, the drill resets and another defender is called out. Players rotate positions after several repetitions. Emphasize clear communication, proper footwork, and awareness of both the ball and adjacent slides. Defense must move cohesively, anticipate offensive cuts, and maintain strong positioning.
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.
Numbers
Players line up with the offense at the top of the field and the defense on the sides. The coach calls out a set of numbers, such as “43,” where the first number is offensive players and the second number is defensive players. That many players sprint in to compete for the ball and play a live possession, e.g., 43 - 4v3, 55 - 5v5, 32 - 3v2. Variations can adjust the number combinations to create even or uneven matchups.
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