Team Defense Lacrosse Drills
34 drills tagged with "Team Defense". Use these in your practice plans to build focused, effective sessions.
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.
Multiple Cutters
Using half the 8, mark 3 zones with cones (one near the second hash, one below the elbow). Place 3 defenders, one per zone, and 4–5 attackers cutting in and out. On the opposite side, posts pass and look for feeds (not live, no defense). Attackers must exit a different zone than they entered, forcing defenders to pass off cutters. When the ball is fed inside, defenders must crash.
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.
2v2 Drill
Set up two offensive players and two defenders in the attack zone. Coach starts with a pass to offense. Offense works quick passes and dodging to create shooting lanes. Defenders communicate, slide as needed, and force low-percentage shots. Play continues until a goal, save, clear, or whistle. Emphasize positioning, timing, and reading the defense.
2v1 Drill
Play 2v1 in the attack zone. Coach starts with a ground ball or pass. Offense works quick ball movement and stick handling to create scoring opportunities, while the defender practices positioning and slides. Play continues until a goal, save, clear, or whistle. Focus on decision-making under pressure.
Get Over Drill
Setup: cones down the middle of the 8 meter, with 3 attackers and 3 defenders on one side, and 3 attackers on the other. - ball starts on the 3v3 side, must stay on your side of the cones - once ball is scored, saved, turned over, the other side immediately starts - the three defenders have to quickly get over to the other side to play defense - defensively, working on going from a settled to an unsettled situation, avoiding shooting space, getting back to settled. - offensively, 3 mans, and shooting before defense can get settled. - offense on even side rotates to the other side, those attackers rotate off, and new defense add in.
2mans from both sides
- setup with cones down the middle, and a 2v2 on each side - one side will start in a 2v2, the other side is flash-cutting - offense has to stay on their side of the cones, but defense does not (can slide/crash) - Offense: must work the 2 man. Should keep their head up for the cuts on backside, but 2 man is option 1 - Defense: work on defending a 2 man (bookending), marking cutters, and sliding/crashing
Open
Two offensive players are stationed up top and move the ball back and forth to start the rep. As the ball is moved, defenders below the play shift, communicate, and adjust their positioning around the crease with light pressure, focusing on sticks in lanes and maintaining shape. The drill emphasizes off-ball awareness, defensive communication, and reacting to ball movement without live contact.
3v3 to 4v4 to 5v5
- Start with a setup 3v3 in a high triangle shape, play through a bit, with emphasis on holding your shape - Play 3v3 for a bit then add 1 defender and 1 attacker. Shape should be in a box now, play through - Add 1 defender and 1 attacker and move into a house shape - Introduce pass pick away, pass cut through - Overall, make sure we continue moving
3v3 Drill
Set three offensive players (Player 1–3) against three defenders (Player 4–6) in the attack zone. Coach starts with a ground ball or pass to offense. Offense works quick passes, sharp cuts, and stick skills to find shooting lanes. Defenders communicate, maintain positioning, and contest shots. Play continues until a goal, save, clear, or whistle. Rotate players frequently to keep everyone involved.
Hawk High
Work on defensive positioning and approach in the attack zone. Defenders line up on the bottom-left cone. At the coach's signal, sprint to the top cone and address the coach as if he were a dodger. Recover to the crease cone. Variation: Include attackmen and midfielders. Increase speed as players improve. Approach from both sides.
Add Fill
Improve defensive approach, sliding, and filling above GLE. X dodges against D1, who takes away the middle and forces the alley. D2 slides to help and forces the dodger away from the goal. D3 fills from the backside as D1 recovers to the crease or picks up D3's man. Variation: Include attackmen and midfielders for position-specific reps. Increase speed as technique improves. Run from both sides.