Information on lacrosse coaching

Coaching is a major aspect to the game of lacrosse. From practice to the games. Coaches must always think on there toes and have new drills to keep practices sharp. As a coach you must be organized and well planned to achieve a successful winning season. Here at DWlax we can help you spice up practice with new drills, develop practice and game plans, or even help you get your feet wet as a new coach. So keep reading on and you will be well informed.

Conditioning is one of the most important aspects of the game. There are many drills you can have your players go through to get into game shape.

440: Line the players up on the end line and have them run to the other end line and back twice. The players end up running 440 yards, they should accomplish this in under 90 seconds.
GASSER'S: Line the players up on the sideline and have them run to the other sidelines and back twice. The players should run the gasser's within 40 seconds.
2 minute drill: Line the players up on the end line and have them do a full field suicide. First have them run to the first restraining line then back, the midline and back, the far restraining line then back, and finally the other end line and back. They should accomplish this in two minutes.
Mile run: Five laps around the field is approximately a mile. Your players need to at least run the mile under eight minutes.
To put all of these together into a conditioning program, start each practice with a mile run. Then before each water break do a gasser or two depending on how game shape the team is and at the end of practice do a 440.

Being athletic and well conditioned can be one of the biggest advantages in lacrosse, but without stick skills you cannot do anything with the talent. So as a coach you need to focus hard on passing and catching.

Wall Ball: Find a cement or brick wall and play catch with yourself. Go through a routine 50 right/left, 50 quick stick right/left. Do this everyday for 10 minutes and you will see tremendous improvement. Once you get it down add some behind the back.
Line Drill: Have two lines facing each other the width of the field. The first person in one of the lines starts with the ball and passes to the other line, after you pass go to the other line. To add variation start right, then go left, do ground balls, do split dodges.
Weave: There are three lines of players at the end line A, B, and C. Line B, which is in the middle, throws to his left to A. B then runs behind A to take his spot while A throws to C, then A runs behind where C was. They continue they weave until they reach the other end line. This drill teaches long passing as well as conditioning.
Group Passing: Have all the players get into groups of three and then set up in a triangle a good 20-30 yards apart. Then tell them to throw with there right hand counter clockwise, catching the ball with the left and rolling to throw with their right. Then switch directions as well as hands. This teaches stick skills as well as catching the ball with the outside hand.

Putting your players in game situation scenarios prepares them for game time.

Cluster: Line up in 6 vs. 6 inside the restraining box and have all of six defenders to lay on their stomachs. Have a bucket of balls by your feet and throw one into the middle. If the defense picks up the ground ball they clear it, if the offense picks up the ground ball tell the first person to make a quick shot or pass. Then go to the cage. This drill is great for loose balls during a game.
Pressure: This is a 4 vs. 4 drill, with the players spread out inside the restraining box. The offense starts with the ball and has to make 3 passes while staying inside the restraining box. After three passes are made they are allowed to shoot. The defense must pressure out as hard as they can not allowing the offense to make and passes. This drill is good for applying heavy pressure as a defense and dealing with heavy pressure as an offense.
1 vs. 1: Have four lines lined up at the four corners. One of the other offensive line throws it to the other, then they must dodge one on one against their defender. After they are done the line that just dodged passes to the next line. This drill teaches one on one dodging skills as well as quickly dodging after catching the ball.
3 vs. 2 ground balls: Have 5 straight lines packed close together, every other person is on a team together. Roll a ground ball out and have them go on the whistle. If the offense gets it they have to make two passes before they score and if the defense gets it they must clear. The first time the three players are offense and the two players are defense, the next time the three players are defense and two players are offense.

Bucket Drill: Set up two offensive players with a lot of balls, one to the left of the cage and one to the right. Then place a bucket 10 yards in front of the top of the crease. Have a line five yards behind the bucket, the first player runs to the right of the bucket catching a pass quick sticking it into the cage. Then the player runs around the bucket to catch a pass on the other side for a quick stick shot. The next player goes when the player before him rounds the bucket. The shots should be placed in corners, not in the middle of the cage. Accuracy close to the cage is a key to victory.
Attack to midfield: Line up the attackmen behind the cage with a bucket of balls. Then have two lines of mid fielders up on the restraining box. The first attackmen dodges to his right while the mid fielder on the same side cuts for a time and room shot at 15 yard, then the next attack goes to the left. Switch up the drill by having the mid fielders cut down for a quick stick shot 5 yards from the cage.