The following are a series of Coaching Tips we'd encourage you use to make practices more fun for your players and build the requisite skills to advance players "to the next level." If you have found other drills, please share them with your fellow coaches by emailing them to
and we will post them to this section.
January 28th - "Stretching"
We all know flexibility is critical, not just for lacrosse- but daily LIFE. However, for some reason, we find flexibility is the most neglected fitness area. For some reason 5 year olds, 15 year olds and 50 year olds don't like to take the time to stretch out the muscles after a good workout. So, we're suggesting to incorporate flexibility into my practices.
Try having a "stretching lesson" at the end of each practice. So, before you end practice home, take 10 minutes or so and stretch. Each player is assigned one muscle to think of a stretch for.
Go around in a circle until each player has led the group in "their stretch". By getting the team involved in coming up with the stretches they are more interested in participating. The confidence in leading a group is a bonus. The Coach should stretch along with them and let the players coach each other.
January 26th - "Cradle the ball" (ages 6-12)
Cradling is an essential skill for young players to learn right away.
=> What you need...Players should have their sticks and of course, full equipment to do this drill.
Players can spend some time practicing this at home, because it does require some dexterity to do well.
=> How this drill works... Each player should have their stick and carrying a ball from one side of the field to the other.
Cradling is necessary to control the ball while the player is running down the floor
and dodging other players on the field.
=> Coaches should notice the following:
Grip - The top hand should be in a position that allows it to control the bounce inside the pocket. The bottom hand will direct the stick when the player is running and if they are trying to make a pass or take a shot.
When standing still, the top hand should be underneath the stick, and the bottom hand should be on top. The wrist and arm action - These should work in conjunction with one another.
The idea is to create the least amount of bounce in the pocket of the player's stick. The forearm on the top hand should work like a hinge, and not moving all over the place. The wrist should not curl or flex too much.
Stick position - The stick position for the beginner should be horizontal when they are stationary. It is a standard pose for any player, except for when they may be experiencing pressure.
When a defender must shield their stick from a defender, the stick moves to a vertical position, almost parallel with the player's body.
January 24th "Three on two to the goal"
=> What you need - You can set this up so it runs continuous back and forth across the field.
You start with three players on offense and two on defense. Three offensive players are
waiting at the defending end to begin the next phase of the drill.
Two goalies are needed for this drill.
=> How this drill works - Three offensive players move up the floor against the two defenders.
They have 15 seconds to make a quick play and get a shot on the net.
If they are successful in getting a shot, and either a goal or a save, then the shooter and
the two original defenders are done (head behind the first goal), and the next offensive
unit comes in and attacks going the other direction.
If the play results in a steal, the attacker that lost the ball joins the defenders on a
three on two the other way, against the two attackers that started.
You can run this drill continuously with a groups of players waiting to get in at either
end.
=> Result - This is a great game situation drill for both the offense and defense.
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