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.

Add "Throw the Survivor" to your practice plan

Sign up free and this drill is waiting for you in the builder — drag to arrange, set the timing, and export a printable PDF.

Add to Practice — Free

Join coaches building plans from 250+ lacrosse drills — no credit card required.

How “Add to Practice” works

No spreadsheets, no setup. From this drill to a printable plan in under a minute.

1

Add to Practice

Tap the button on any drill and it lands in your plan.

2

Arrange & time it

Drag to reorder and set how long each drill runs.

3

Export & run it

Download a clean PDF and take it to the field — free.

Related Drills

Punt Return Drill +1

Improve defensive approach above GLE with a recovering second defender. X starts with the ball. D1 is positioned to take away the middle. On the whistle, X dodges and D1 forces him down the alley. D2 recovers to the crease as D1 engages. Variation: Include attackmen and midfielders. Increase speed as players improve. Run from both sides.

Team DefenseDefense (Individual)

1v1 with a Center Slide

Teach dodging players to read slides and find the open man, while practicing inside slides. Offensive and defensive lines at the top and at X, plus a line of long poles off to the side. Top pair goes 1v1. A long pole sets up in the middle of the box. If the coach yells "slide," the middle defender slides on the 1v1. If no call, he stays home. After the top pair finishes, rotate the middle defender and run from X. Variation: Add an offensive player in the middle so the slider must leave a man, creating a dump-off opportunity.

Team DefenseDefense (Individual)

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.

Team DefenseDefense (Individual)Half-Field

6v6

This drill sets up six offensive players vs six defenders in a live, game-speed scenario. The goal is to replicate realistic in-game conditions and build both team offense and team defense cohesiveness. Coaches can stop play to highlight teaching points, or let it run for extended possessions to mimic live gameplay. Optional: Keep score for a fun competition to finish practice.

Team DefenseCompetitionTeam Offense

Gauntlet

Develop dodging skills, footwork, and ball protection through a gauntlet of moves. Players line up with balls. 5 cones in a straight line, 5 yards apart. At each cone, execute a dodge (coach-assigned or player's choice). After 2-3 reps, add a soft defender at each cone. Progress to allowing defenders to check. Variation: Move cone positions. Add a shot on goal after the final cone.

Dodging

Crazy 8's

Build sport-specific cardiovascular fitness through pyramid sprints with built-in recovery. Sprint 10 yds (midfield to wing line) / Rest 10 sec Sprint 20 yds (wing to wing) / Rest 20 sec Sprint 30 yds (wing to restraining box) / Rest 30 sec Sprint 40 yds (box to box) / Rest 40 sec Sprint 60 yds (box to goal line) / Rest 60 sec Sprint 80 yds (goal line to goal line) / Rest 80 sec Sprint 95 yds (goal line to end line) / Rest 95 sec Sprint 110 yds (end line to end line) / Done Variation: Add a ground ball to each sprint or start from a push-up position.

Conditioning

3v2 to 2v1

Goalie starts with a ball in the crease and passes to three offensive players (Player 1–3) at half field. Offense attacks a 3v2 against two defenders (Player 4–5). The last offensive player to touch the ball rotates back to defend in a 2v1 vs. the defenders, while the other two rotate out to the D line. Goalie or recovered ground balls start the 2v1. After the 2v1, release three new offensive players to repeat.

TransitionExtra-Man Offense

Cadet drill

CADET DRILL WHITE TEAM WILL BE ON OFFENSE Blue and White middies will be in a line on the opposite restraining line. Starts with 3 Attack and 3 D poles off of a GB Play to a Shot, Save or Goal Goalies will clear the ball Ball will get to offensive middie at midfield O Middie will start a 4v3, 5v4 break Trailing defender (D mid) is released off the first pass This will repeat until we are 6v6 Then the drill will reset

TransitionCompetition