Half-Field Lacrosse Drills
18 drills tagged with "Half-Field". Use these in your practice plans to build focused, effective sessions.
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.
Double Team Drill
Drill Description Defenders run in a continuous circle around the cage while attackers run in the opposite direction on the outside. On the whistle, the coach rolls a ground ball into space. The closest attacker breaks to pick up the ball while the two closest defenders immediately double. The offense must move the ball quickly to find the open player and create a scoring opportunity. The defense focuses on applying an aggressive double team, forcing a turnover, or recovering quickly to a settled defensive position if the double is broken. Player numbers can be adjusted to 7v7, 6v6, or 5v5 depending on focus and available numbers. Coaching Focus Points: -Urgent ground ball pickup under pressure -Smart spacing and quick ball movement -Communication to identify the open attacker -Proper double team angles and timing -Defensive recovery to a settled formation -Composure and decision-making in chaos
3v2 to a 4v3
- Split into 2 teams, 1 team has three lines low to start, the other team has 2 lines high to start (switch half way) - Ball starts with the 3 girls low and 2 girls are coming in from the top to play defense - Once the ball is scored or turned over, the 2 girls that were playing defense become offense, and 2 more girls are adding in to join on offense from the top - The 3 girls that started low on attack are now on defense to play a 4v3 - Reset with new girls starting the 3v2 low (or you can have the 2 girls that came in from top for the 4v3, start low)
4v4 Split Drill
- Divide the field in half so there are two separate playing areas on one half of the field. Place a goal at each half field so each side has its own goal. - Create two teams, for example white and dark. On one side of the field place: - 4 white attackers - 4 dark defenders On the other side place: - 4 dark attackers - 4 white defenders - Players must remain on their assigned side for the entire drill. - Start the ball with the white attacking group. They play live 4v4 against the dark defenders and try to score. - If the offense scores or the defense creates a turnover, the defending team immediately works to clear the ball to their attacking teammates on the opposite side of the field. Once the clear reaches the opposite side, that group begins their own 4v4 possession. - Play continues back and forth between the two sides each time a goal is scored or a turnover occurs. Focus Points - Clearing and switching fields if you get stopped - Quick ball movement
3 By
Set up a mini hockey-style 3x3 net and play live with a tennis ball, 3v3 in a tight space. Offense focuses on quick ball movement, spacing, and finishing through traffic, while defenders emphasize communication, sticks in lanes, and protecting the middle. The small net and condensed area force fast decisions, creativity, and constant engagement from all players.
Split field 2 v 2
Work together in a pair mirroring each other. Field is cut in half down the middle. 2v2 until someone scores. Mirror ball carrier. Set picks and roll. Play together.
Hockey GBs
Each player has a ball on the ground and works to keep it moving within a small space, roughly two feet, while keeping their head up, maintaining control, and avoiding collisions with other players. The focus is on tight stick skills, spatial awareness, and ball protection under pressure. When the coach blows the whistle, all players explode out of the box, transitioning into a sprint.
King of the Hill
Two players start butt-to-butt with a ball placed between them. On the whistle, both players compete to gain possession of the ball. The player who secures it can either maintain possession or try to exit a marked area, while the other resets for the next round. Variations include setting a time limit to secure the ball and making it a tournament competition.
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.
Zig Zag Approach Drill
Set up three large triangles and two small triangles with cones on the field. Players line up at the start of each triangle. Drill moves in a zigzag pattern: approach an offensive player in athletic stance with stick extended, take away one side, then backpedal short as if the attacker dodges, and break to the next cone at full speed. Long approaches use extended steps, short approaches use quick, choppy steps. Focus on balance, positioning, and reacting to the offensive player.
5v5 off a draw half field
1 draw taker each team, 4 lined up on half circle and 4 down low for attack/defense
4 Corner Box Drill
Set four cones in a large square (~25 yards apart) and four cones inside (~5 yards inside). Place a line of players at each outer cone. Player 1 from Line 2 passes to Player 1 in Line 1, who times a cut to the inner cone, receives the pass, switches hands, and passes to the next cutter. Continue passing and cutting around the box. Emphasize timing, stickwork, and passing on the move.
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