Ground Balls Lacrosse Drills
35 drills tagged with "Ground Balls". Use these in your practice plans to build focused, effective sessions.
Ground Ball Hog
Musical chairs with lacrosse balls. 16 players, 15 balls scattered on field. Players scramble for balls, those without sit out. Remove 2-3 balls each round to accelerate pace. Last player standing wins. 10-15 minute duration. Hidden conditioning benefit - players don't realize cardio workout. Emphasizes hustle, ground ball skills, competitive spirit. Rules: no slashing/hacking. Ends practice on high energy note with maximum engagement. Drill @ 2:16 in Video.
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.
2v2 Continuous Ground Ball Drill
Set up two teams of two inside the 8-meter. Coach rolls out a ground ball—players battle 2v2 to gain possession and score or clear. Once the play ends (goal, turnover, or out of bounds), a new ball is immediately rolled in from a different spot to keep players reacting and communicating. Each group plays three balls in a row before rotating out. Emphasize body positioning, running through the ball, and quick transitions from ground ball to offense or defense. Keep pace fast and intensity high.
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
Hungry Hippo Relay
Relay race format with 8 kids per line. Coach rolls ground ball, youth player scoops and sprints to dunk ball in bucket, returns to line and sits. Team that finishes first wins. Run best-of-three format. Emphasizes ground ball technique while maintaining fun competitive element. Simple setup: lines, buckets, multiple balls. Keeps practice engaging and fun through relay race excitement and friendly competition.
Swarm Drill
Set up 6 offensive players outside the crease moving clockwise and 6 defenders inside moving counterclockwise. Coach rolls or passes the ball to a random offensive player. Two defenders immediately converge to create a 2v1 on the ball. Offense must secure the ground ball, find outlets, and quickly move the ball. Defenders rotate to cover adjacent threats, emphasizing communication, quick reactions, and aggressive doubling.
Muddle Drill
Drill Description This is a competitive 5v5 drill focused on winning ground balls inside the 8 meter and transitioning quickly to offense or defense. Five attackers and five defenders start inside the 8 meter. The coach moves around the outside of the 12 meter and behind the goal with a ball, and players may not look at the coach. The coach rolls a ground ball into the 8 meter to start play. If the offense gains possession, they immediately attack the cage and try to score. If the defense gains possession, they must clear the ball with control to the 50 yard line. Scoring: -Attack scores a goal = 1 point -Attack forces a turnover on the ride = 2 points -Defense clears successfully to the 50 = 1 point -Defense completes two passes during the clear = 2 points
Steal the Bacon
A ball is placed at midfield and the players are divided into two teams. Each team spreads out along opposing lines about 25 yards away from the ball (or around the circle). Each player has a number and the numbers on one team coincide with those on the other. The coach calls a number and the two players who have those numbers sprint for the ball in the center. The player who picks up the ball must then cradle and cross his own line when a point is scored. Keep score for a fun end of practice game for youth teams!
3-2-1 Ground Balls
3 players line up on the line. The coach rolls out a ground ball from behind the 3 players. They fight for a 1v1v1 ground ball. The player who picks it up passes to the coach and is out. The remaining 2 players come back to the line and the coach rolls out a 1v1 ground ball. The player who picks it up passes to the coach and is out. Finally, the coach rolls out a solo GB to the last player to finish.
GB Gauntlet
2 girls on either side of the ball, one girl with a football pad - One at a time run through the ground ball. The two girls on either side of the ball can try to check the ball if its there. - Once the girl picks up the ball, she has to handle the bump from the girl with the football pad and run through the cone. - Go until you have a certain number of clean fast ground balls
Ground Ball Relay
Break into groups of 3. To start, one girl will roll a ground ball out to the other two. Whoever gets the ground ball is running through the cone, whoever doesnt get the ball, is playing defense on the girl, and trying to turn her. Switch the girl who is throwing the ground ball out. After a few, switch one girl from each group so they are going against different people.
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.
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