Team Defense Lacrosse Drills
31 drills tagged with "Team Defense". Use these in your practice plans to build focused, effective sessions.
Defensive Transition Retreat
Teach defensive players to retreat into the zone ahead of the ball and prevent fast breaks. Set up 4 cones above the attack zone (2 offense, 2 defense) and 2 cones off to the side (1 each). X1 and X2 attack from the top with the ball. D1 and D4 rush to slow the ball. D2 and D3 protect the middle, sliding to the ball or pass as needed. Defense focuses on retreating, slowing the break, and forcing an even-numbers situation. Play it out to a shot, goal, or clear. Variation: Change where the ball enters from — point or sides.
Feed the Crease
Practice defending crease players against picks, cuts, and feeds. 2 offensive players on the crease vs 2 defenders. Perimeter players move the ball around looking to feed the crease. Defenders constantly adjust, staying between their man and the ball to deny feeds. Communication is key to covering picks and rolls. Variation: Have offense work pick/re-pick, high-low cuts, and pick-and-roll on the crease.
Handling Defensive Pressure
Teach players to handle defensive pressure, work for the ball, and create turnovers under time constraints. 6v6 in the attack zone. Offense holds possession for 6 minutes without leaving the box. After 45 seconds, add a 7th defender and work to double-team the ball. Variation: Shrink the zone with cones, remove offensive players, or use the goalie to double behind the cage.
Out of Dodge
Improve defensive communication and sliding in a live 6v6 setting. 6 offensive players in a 1-4-1, 6 defenders plus a goalie. Offense passes the ball around. Coach calls out a defender's jersey number — that player sprints to the sideline and back. While he's gone, the ball carrier attacks the goal, forcing the remaining defense to slide and rotate. After a goal or turnover, repeat with a different player called out. Variation: Use different slide packages (crease, adjacent) against different sets (1-4-1, 1-3-2, 2-2-2).
Simon Sez
3-person groups: one slide defender, two off-ball communicators. Slide defender positions relative to imaginary alley/corner dodge. Off-ball defenders call out specific terminology (pop, fill, sneak, crease) based on predetermined situations. Slide defender must react immediately to commands without verbal confirmation - reaction is the only proof he heard. Rotate positions every few reps. Focus: terminology, tone, volume, confidence.
Throw the Survivor
Setup: 8 defenders play offensive roles. Predetermined dodger forces slide. On-ball defender slides to meet dodge at angle. Off-ball defender recovers to crease. First pass (throw) goes to filling midfielder who exchanges with crease player. Second pass (throw) goes backside. Original on-ball defender must recover and make approach to new ball carrier. Focus: efficiency, communication, footwork.
Beat Drill
Start 4v4 in the attack zone. Player 1 dodges from the top corner vs. Player 4 (defender trailing, already beat). Player 5 slides automatically to cover the throwback, while Player 6 (backside helper) supports as a second defender. After the first pass, on-ball defender recovers to the crease; dodger hits throwback, then passes to backside. Backside defender (Player 6) steps out for a quick 1v1. Add Player 7 at X and Player 8 on backside to progress.