Transition Drill 3v2 initiate from Behind after 2 Passes
Reinforce the X man's role in initiating offense from behind and forcing defensive slides. Coach rolls the ball above the box. Two offensive players stay above GLE, one goes to X. Players get the ball to X. The X man initiates, looking to draw a slide and create a 2v1 — either dodging to shoot or feeding the open crease player. Variation: Build up in stages — 1v1 behind, then 2v2, 3v3, up to 6v6 starting from behind.
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5v4 Fast Break with Trailing Middie
- Can have 7v6 as well with trail. - Setup with 3 middies on attack and 2 middies on defense coming in from the 50 with 2 attack and 2 defenders low (or 4 attack and 4 defenders low) - Add the 3rd defensive middie once the ball passes the 30. - Defense needs to slow down the ball and then get organized until they can get into a settled offense. - Offense needs to push the fast break before defense can get settled. - Switch out the low girls every 3-4 reps.
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.
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.
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.
Mirror footwork
Set up 2 lanes. Players look directly at each other. One player shuffles laterally, other player mirrors and stays square. Can also be done forward/backward.
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).
Scoring from X
Set up a goal with a high-crease goalie. Players practice a sequence of 3–4 dodges—split, co-dodge, hesitation—then turn the corner toward the goal. Focus on precise footwork, stick positioning, and quick execution on each move. Incorporate a short final shot under simulated goalie pressure. Emphasize game-like speed and technique over repetition, ensuring each dodge and shot is clean, controlled, and consistent before moving to the next rep.
Full Field Clearing Drill
Setup: Have 2 lines of defense on either side of the goalie, 3 middies near the center circle, and 2 lines of attack on the other side of the field near the elbows. - Ball starts with the goalie for a clear to the 2 low defenders. - The defense that doesn't get the ball is is streaking up the field towards the middle to receive it. - Once they receive it, the midfielders are cutting and asking for it - Once the midfielders receive it, the attackers are staying wide and asking for the ball - Can then get into a slow break to finish Focus on inside outside inside transition