Team Defense Lacrosse Drills
34 drills tagged with "Team Defense". Use these in your practice plans to build focused, effective sessions.
Half field 3v3 continuous
- break into 2 teams - there will be 3 lines of each team lined up at the 30 - the light team starts on attack and the dark team starts on defense in a 3v3 - if the light team scores or turns the ball over, the dark team clears to the 3 lines of dark on the 30, 3 light players re-defend. - Once cleared, the 3 dark defense goes out, the 3 new dark players are on offense and the light players that were just on offense are now on defense.
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
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.
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.
Frorest GB
2 teams around circle call out a 2 digit number (IE 32) 1st number is offense (3) 2nd number is defense (2) Only offense can score Offense must make #of passes as their called number and then safely outlet it out of circle. (point) Defense just has to outlet it after they win GB (no point) (roll 10 balls then SWITCH offensive and defensive teams) whoever has most points after their 10 balls wins.
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.