We’ve all been in this exact situation. Whether it was a youth lacrosse game or a professional one, the level doesn’t matter. The concept has been stapled into the game as a fundamental. An offensive player takes a shot, and the motion doesn’t exactly follow a wide, arcing path over his head. From the sideline, a coach yells out, “OVERHAND.” If the player misses completely, you can bet that coach is going to let him hear it. And in most cases, even if he scores, his walk back to the sideline is met with a conversation that starts with something like, “Hey, glad that went in, but that’s gotta be an overhand shot.”

Overhand shooting makes sense when you look at the history of the game. Lacrosse has been around for hundreds, if not thousands, of years, and for most of that time the equipment remained relatively the same. Before modern advancements like lacrosse mesh, almost every stick was strung with traditional leather and had very limited whip or hold. It was an art just to string a stick that had decent control. Because of this, the most effective shot was overhand, especially at the youth level, since it offered a consistent track and release.

Flash forward to 2025, and the game is completely different. Plastic heads have evolved. Mesh has changed everything. Shafts are now designed to flex and warp. These advancements have opened the door for new and creative ways to shoot the ball outside of overhand shooting. At the youth level, many players quickly realize that overhand shots don’t always generate the same power as sidearm ones. Sidearm feels more natural for beginners. It uses more arms than mechanics, and for young athletes, that feels stronger. But when all coaches do is yell at them to “shoot overhand” and shut them down when they don’t, it becomes hard for kids to understand that there’s more than one way to play.

It gets even more confusing when they turn on the TV and watch college or professional players. They see creativity, finesse, and stick skills that go beyond any one shooting motion. While overhand shooting still has a place, there are an infinite number of ways to score a lacrosse goal, and that’s obvious if you watch the game at a high level. That’s when the question comes: “How come they don’t have to shoot overhand?” And usually, the answer is something like, “Well, they’re just better at the game.”

To me, that’s always been a contradiction. You showcase elite players as the model, but then tell kids not to imitate them. If those players had been told to only ever shoot overhand and never experiment, their development would’ve been completely different. Some of them might never have reached that level at all. So how can you expect youth players to grow into high-level athletes if you’re only letting them shoot in one “fundamental” way?

The game has to evolve just like every other major sport. Baseball used to teach level swings, but now it’s about launch angles and power. The midrange jumper in basketball has vanished, replaced by layups and deep threes thanks to analytics. Quarterbacks used to be taught to throw strictly over the top, but now they work from multiple arm angles. Soccer has evolved past power shots into deceptive placement and tight footwork.

Every sport has evolved, and gotten better for it. It’s time for lacrosse to follow suit. Yes, players should know how to shoot overhand. But what’s more important is giving them the tools and the freedom to develop a full arsenal of ways to score. So why not let youth players experiment? Why not teach overhand and also teach how to shoot with deception, with creativity, and with freedom?

At the end of the day, scoring comes down to placement and deception. And when you limit your players to only overhand shooting, you’re not just stunting their growth, you’re capping their ceiling. Imagine a youth lacrosse world where creativity was encouraged, not punished. The growth would be exponential. We’re starting to see it now. Coaches are slowly moving away from strict overhand instruction, and the game is better for it. Players are reaching new heights, and the game itself is more exciting. That’s a win for everyone including players, coaches, and fans.

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Lacrosse training over the holiday break is important for any level and age of lacrosse athlete. Whether it is a middle school player or one playing at the collegiate level, there is no way around it: the need to keep oneself fit and at skill levels cannot be more emphasized. This can be the most tempting time to take a few weeks off and slack off, but it’s those athletes who continue putting in work during breaks that show up to the season stronger and more prepared. The secret to lacrosse training is to keep things simple and consistent. You don’t need fancy equipment or some strict program-just the willingness to put in the effort.

Wallball should be at the top of every lacrosse player’s list. Keeping your stick skills sharp is paramount as the season draws near. The cold weather is always an excuse, but some feel it is just too hard to get on out and practice. I always felt that if you want to do something, you will find a way. Throw on a warm hat, a solid jacket and some gloves and get outside. Find a brick wall, or any solid wall that you can hit a ball against. Discipline is key to mastering any sport, and embracing the elements will help you foster that. If it’s too cold for you, check out your local racquetball courts or rec centers. Most have open walls to hit on. Even calling your high school athletic director to ask if the gym is available can be the difference. Hitting the wall for just five minutes a day can drastically improve your game over time. It may seem minimal, but those micro improvements add up. The best part? You may not even notice the growth, but others will.

Running is another piece to it all. I feel that running is not limited to the physical benefits but rather the means by which one builds mental toughness. The ability to get out of bed, lace up the shoes, and get uncomfortable-that is power. Whether it be a mile or a short jog, repeatedly doing so will increase confidence. I started running on a regular basis early in my career, and within a week I noticed a distinct difference in my pride and confidence. Your endurance and distance will naturally improve with time, but the real win is simply showing up. Focus less on the numbers and more on the discipline it takes to make that happen. Those will grow before you know it.

Most people believe that speed is purely genetic, but targeted sprint work can help you reach new levels. Strength helps, but deliberate sprint training yields even better results. I have seen players increase their speed by several miles per hour over time through consistent sprint work. It sucks when you work your butt off and then take five weeks off over break and lose all that progress. But the good news is sprint training does not take that much time. Go out to a field and sprint all-out for 50 yards, rest for three minutes, then repeat. If you do that five times you’ll stay sharp without being out at the field for a couple of hours. That will only take about 15 minutes, but you need to make sure to warm up first to prevent injury. Consistently reaching your maximum velocity will help with being a better sprinter overall.

Weightlifting is one of the obvious additions into any athlete’s routine. Again, it isn’t revolutionary-it’s simply required to be in good shape. For the most part, most coaches will already preach on the necessity of weight lifting, so I won’t waste too much breath here. Probably the single most difficult thing in regards to weightlifting is finding a good gym in which to lift. Whenever possible, lift with a teammate or friend so you can be accountable for each other, and ensure that you’re lifting form is good.

Lastly, and probably most forgotten but constructive thing one can do over break is watch film. A student of the game watches lacrosse with purpose. It’s not about having a game on in the background, but rather truly dissecting what is happening on the field. Why do certain plays work? What movements lead to goals? How are the players spacing the field? What defensive rotations or mistakes create scoring chances? The internet is full of lacrosse games that you can dissect to improve your lacrosse IQ. The more lacrosse training you can do over the break, the more prepared you’ll be when you return to the field.

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Lacrosse is a game of runs. Momentum can swiftly shift, and strategic decisions play a pivotal role. Timeouts stand as a crucial tool in a coach’s arsenal. This explores the significance of timeouts in the game. This will dive into their strategic utility and provide insights into when coaches should strategically deploy them to maximize their impact on the game.

Strategic Reset and Refocus:

One of the primary purposes of timeouts in lacrosse is to provide teams with an opportunity to reset and refocus strategically. Whether facing defensive challenges, offensive stagnation, or a need to make crucial adjustments, timeouts allow coaches to gather their players, convey strategic insights, and instill a renewed sense of focus and purpose on the field.

Momentum Control:

Lacrosse is a game of momentum, and timeouts serve as a strategic tool for momentum control. When the opposing team is on a scoring run or gaining momentum, a well-timed timeout can disrupt their rhythm, allowing the coach to make tactical adjustments, regroup the team, and curtail the opponent’s momentum.

Game Management and Clock Control:

Timeouts in lacrosse play a vital role in game management and clock control. In situations where clock management is crucial, such as in the final minutes of a close game, timeouts allow coaches to orchestrate specific plays, manage substitutions, and ensure optimal clock utilization for strategic advantages.

Set Plays and Special Situations:

Coaches often use timeouts to draw up set plays for specific situations, such as man-up or man-down scenarios, extra attacker situations, or critical offensive and defensive plays. The pause in the game provides an opportunity for coaches to communicate and strategize, ensuring that players execute the designated plays effectively.

Injury Assessment and Player Rest:

In the event of player injuries or instances requiring medical attention, timeouts offer a designated period for coaches and medical staff to assess and address player well-being. Additionally, timeouts provide players with a brief break. This allows them to recover physically and mentally during intense or extended periods of play. These will also not count against your allotted amount of timeouts.

Strategic Adjustments and Opposition Analysis:

Coaches use timeouts strategically to make real-time adjustments based on their analysis of the opposition’s strategies. Analyzing the opponent’s tactics during gameplay can be challenging. Timeouts provide coaches with a valuable opportunity to assess and respond to emerging patterns or unexpected challenges.

Enhancing Player Communication:

Timeouts serve as a platform for effective communication between coaches and players. Coaches can relay insights, motivational messages, and strategic instructions. This fosters a cohesive team dynamic and ensures that players are aligned with the game plan.

Timeouts are multifaceted and invaluable resource for coaches. The strategic deployment of timeouts can sway the course of a game. It offers teams the opportunity to reset, refocus, and recalibrate their approach. Whether controlling momentum, managing the clock, or making crucial adjustments, timeouts are a tactical tool. It empowers coaches to navigate the unpredictable and dynamic nature of lacrosse. It ensures teams are well-prepared and strategically aligned for success on the field.

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In the competitive realm of lacrosse, success often hinges on meticulous preparation and a deep understanding of the opponent’s strengths, weaknesses, and strategic tendencies. Scouting an opponent is a nuanced and crucial aspect of game preparation, requiring a multifaceted approach that combines technological advancements, in-depth analysis, and strategic foresight. These are some of the best practices for effectively scouting an opponent, offering a comprehensive guide to empower teams with the knowledge needed to gain a competitive edge.

Video Analysis:

Harnessing the power of video analysis is fundamental to effective scouting. Teams should collect game footage of their upcoming opponents, meticulously reviewing each game to identify offensive and defensive patterns, transition strategies, and individual player tendencies. Modern technology allows for frame-by-frame analysis, providing insights into the opponent’s decision-making and execution. There are quite a few options when it comes to this, but many people use Hudl.

Individual Player Assessment:

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of individual players is paramount. Assessing key players’ shooting preferences, dodging tendencies, and defensive styles enables teams to tailor their strategies accordingly. Identifying player matchups and exploiting individual vulnerabilities can significantly impact the outcome of the game.

Statistical Analysis:

Delving into statistical data provides a quantitative dimension to opponent scouting. Analyzing team and player statistics, including shooting percentages, ground ball wins, and face-off success rates, allows teams to pinpoint areas of vulnerability and strength. This statistical insight informs strategic decisions, such as defensive formations and offensive game plans. Video Software companies have entered into this realm and create usable data to help coaches create their scouting reports.

Face-Off and Transition Analysis:

For a sport as dynamic as lacrosse, understanding face-off and transition play is pivotal. Scouting the opponent’s face-off specialists, their techniques, and success rates can inform pre-game strategies. Additionally, analyzing transition plays enables teams to anticipate offensive and defensive positioning during fast breaks.

Set Plays and Formations:

Uncovering an opponent’s set plays and offensive formations is crucial for defensive preparation. Scouting offensive sets, man-up or man-down plays, and defensive formations aids in developing counter-strategies. Recognizing recurring patterns allows teams to make timely adjustments during the game. Make sure you look at endline plays, coming out of a timeout, and short time situations.

Game-Day Adjustments:

While pre-game scouting is essential, the ability to make real-time adjustments during the match is equally crucial. Coaches should empower players with the knowledge acquired through scouting, enabling them to adapt to the opponent’s strategies on the fly. Effective communication and a responsive game plan can turn the tide in a fiercely contested lacrosse match.

Personnel and Coaching Dynamics:

Beyond the players, understanding the coaching dynamics is valuable. Scouting the coaching staff’s tendencies, preferred substitutions, and in-game decision-making provides insights into the opponent’s overall game philosophy. This awareness informs strategic decisions and helps teams anticipate the opponent’s responses during critical moments.

In the intricate game of lacrosse, opponent scouting emerges as a cornerstone of strategic preparedness. By using video analysis, statistical insights, and a profound understanding of individual and team dynamics, teams can gain a competitive edge. The holistic approach to scouting outlined in this article empowers lacrosse teams to enter each game armed with a comprehensive understanding of their opponents, fostering a strategic advantage that transcends the unpredictable nature of the game. Through disciplined scouting practices, teams can navigate the complexities of lacrosse with foresight, adaptability, and a heightened chance for success on the field.

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December is the loneliest month. Let’s take a look at December, and the time period between final exams and the first day of practice in January.

“We don’t get a chance to be with the guys in December, because of finals,” said UNC Head Coach, Joe Breschi. “We hope to maintain through voluntary workouts what we’ve built in the fall. It’s mostly a chance for the team leadership (captains/seniors) to take hold the next six weeks as we prepare for the spring.”

Academics are front and center. Suck it up. Finish the semester the right way. Right now, lacrosse takes a back seat to studying.

“We will balance the progress of fall with respect for academic demands (at a time when NO program can do required activities once reading days start) while endorsing the developmental and mental health benefits of exercise during winter and stress of exams,” said Harvard Head Coach, Gerry Byrne.

Contact with coaches dwindles as mandated by the NCAA. “We can’t have any countable athletic related activity after one week prior to first exam,” said Providence Head Coach, Bobby Benson. “For us, that’s December 5th. So after December 5th and until January 9th, our players are on their own. We only have one week with guys before the NCAA mandates we stop for exams. So we just finish up winter workouts and review some of the winter agendas and continue with strength and conditioning. Most of December they spend without us, preparing for start of practices and finishing school.”

Cast aside, lacrosse athletes must train solo or in small groups until the first day of practice in January. Their is no reliance on the formal structure of the team as they head home for the holidays.

The home phase is critical. “During the home phase, maintain momentum from fall, staying connected electronically after being physically together since August, while finding your internal motor for growth (strength, conditioning, skill) when no one is around to push you,” said Byrne.

The home phase is when the great ones create an edge. Some players come back to campus ready and others come back fat, softened by Mom’s pecan pie. Holiday cheer and hanging out with old friends who may not have similar demands. Athletes who accept suffering achieve greatness.

PLL All-Star Marcus Holman (Archers) provides priceless advice. “For me this was (and still is) the best time of year to create advantages. People get into the holiday doldrums and become complacent. This is your chance to prove to yourself and your coaches how much you actually care. It’s easy to tell as a coach after break who was putting in work.”

“College players need to make connections with their hometown high school coaches for gyms and field usage,” said Holman.

Skill development is most widely ignored. Bench pressing 225lbs ten times has limited relevance if you can’t scoop, carry, pass, catch and shoot at game speed. Squatting 315lbs for reps may have the strength coach pumped up, but it’s not a substitute for running, improving your footwork, your hips, your change of direction, acceleration, and deceleration.

“Don’t forget to run,” said Holman. “I know being strong is important now more then ever in lacrosse. But it’s a running sport. You can’t neglect that piece.”

Tip-toe the line between sharpness and burnout. Goalies must stay in harmony with their muscle memory. Wall ball paid for college.

“Find your shooters, reach out to fellow local players with similar goals,” said PLL goalie Adam Ghitelman (Archers).

“Feet-Set’ shooting has its positives, but nothing is better than simulating patterns that occur on the field. Dodging from X, the wing, alley. Ask for multiple moves or COD’s to track your feet and positioning. Having 2+ shooters always pays dividends to re-create passing patterns to work pre-shot movements. If you only have one shooter, be creative and visualize/imagine offensive motions prior to the shooter taking his shots,” said Ghitelman.

“Keep your stick in hand and remember you are a D1 athlete at a top 15 program,” said Byrne. “Finding the balance of rest and nutrition with the two hours of work that should comprise each day. Finding ways around weather issues, indoor access, people to play with challenges. The best players and leaders find a way or make a way.”

December is perfect for cross-training. “I also loved taking a step away from lacrosse and felt that playing other sports provided balance and still gave me the feedback I desired to feel in shape and I was working on things that I wanted to translate to lacrosse,” said Ghitelman. “While being subconsciously cautious, I loved to play football, pickup soccer, pond-hockey, and basketball during the break. You can never stop working on your spacial awareness, communication and anticipatory muscles.”

It’s okay to have fun, just be smart.

As predictable as Christmas and New Year’s Eve is the annual tradition that somebody on your roster won’t run, instead marinating during the break on too many cookies, too much booze, and too much time chasing a good time. It always happens. That undisciplined player comes back to campus in January trying to make up for lost time and then invariably tweaks a hammy, has sore shins, a groin, maybe back spasms; it’s always something nagging. He or she plummets down the two-deep and rationalizes the failure as an injury. In reality, the diagnosis is an insufficient commitment.

“The maturity is learning to say no,” adds Ghitelman. “There are so many micro-decisions that can have short and long-run impact on your focus on training. Not all your friends have the responsibilities at stake when you’re looking to compete for a national or league championship.”

Complete the required assignments to keep pace with your peers. Find a way to make it fun. Do a little extra to find true success. Do a lot of extra work if you desire to be elite. Those sacrifices get paid off.

December is also a get healthy month. If the lacrosse athlete is banged up, don’t neglect rehab while away from the school’s training room. Communicate with athletic trainers at school to find the best at-home solutions and remedies. Avoid repetitive exercises that irritate existing soreness.

“Our athletic trainer has guys doing rehab to get ready. Some of those can be monitored because of safety,” said Benson.

For freshman and transfers, December film work is helpful prep for the upcoming spring. Watch some games from late 2022. For veteran players, I recommend the PLL. To play fast, you must know the schemes cold.

Coaches will use the month to start clipping film of the first few opponents in 2023. They’ll tighten their spring calendar and take a moment to reflect on their “why” and team pillars. It’s the perfect time to bank schematic, personnel, and motivational commodities. For players and coaches, it’s a month to find a great book.

Time spent away from the program and teammates can be rejuvenating, refreshing and mentally invigorating. “Distance makes the heart grow fonder,” said Byrne. “Having a break from each other tests the trust and culture in a good way and has players longing for the community and the return to the work together in January. The same is true for staff.”

It’s 30 days that makes a huge difference especially in lacrosse. The more sacrifices you make, the more successful you’ll become. The work you do in December shows up in January when the whistle blows for the first day of practice.

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Even the most experienced coaches fall into the habit of repeating the same lacrosse drills on a weekly or even daily basis. There’s nothing wrong with repeating drills, but as we all know, players crave excitement and changing up the daily routine can help not only infuse excitement into the practice, it can also help fill in some of the skill gaps that other drills may leave.

Today we’re going to suggest a few of our own favorite drills that we’ve used in the past to liven up a practice. One thing that they all include is that they promote fast play, allow for mistakes, and promote competition which are all essential aspects to consider when creating the practice plan.

Each of these drills are a great way to end a practice on a high note, or start practice with a lot of energy, the choice is yours.

FOUR LACROSSE DRILLS TO LIVEN UP PRACTICE

New England Drill

The New England drill, or as I’ve mistakenly called it “England”, is a great drill to mimic just about every fast break scenario you can think of.

It starts with a 2v1 up top, and after each goal/shot/turnover a whistle is blown and another offensive and defensive player are added to the mix. This process continues until there is a 6v5 advantage.

Friendly tip, if you have a goalie with a fragile ego, remove the 2v1 and start with a 3v2. Coach Tierney gives a great explanation as to how he runs this drill.

Numbers

A classic lacrosse drill that is often forgotten at higher levels. Numbers is a game where we create odd man situations on every rep. It keeps the entire team engaged because they have to quickly recognize if they are one of the numbers entering the drill.

One variation of this drill is to have a coach on each sideline, mix the long sticks with the shorties, and have each coach call their own number leading to every rotation creating a lot of fun and less serious situations.

3V2 sides

John Paul describes the drill exceptionally well, but essentially you have an opportunity to get a ton of reps while practicing inside finishing, spacing, ball movement, and off ball picking.

This lacrosse drill really excels when you make it a competition. For, instance adding the challenge of how many times the offense can score in two minutes really makes things intense while remaining fun at the same time.

Petro 3v2 Drill

Similar to 3v2 sides drill above, this drill also gives you the opportunity to get a ton of reps in while practicing inside finishing, spacing, and ball movement. Unlike above, this drill utilizes a tennis balls to force soft hands, prioritize pass placement, and to protect the goalie as well as the players behind the cage.

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The 10 man ride is an aggressive defensive scheme in lacrosse that is utilized across different levels of the sport. This is what you need to know about it.

10 Man Ride: What, Why & How

What Is a 10 Man Ride?

The 10 man ride is a form of zone ride that puts pressure on a clearing team with the goal of making riding incredibly difficult by using the goalie as a 10th defender. The use of the goalie typically means that the net is left open, making the 10 man an extremely high risk, high reward strategy.

Why Would a Team Use One?

There are several reasons why a team may employ a 10 man. The primary motivation would be to create turnovers. When a team struggles to slow a team down with a traditional ride, a 10 man may add the necessary pressure.

A 10 man ride takes a lot of time to teach and even more time to perfect, so it’s typically only employed as a last resort. For example, Michigan struggled in 2019 to win faceoffs because of injury. Instead of trying to win faceoffs, the team worked on its 10 man to create turnovers and earn back lost possessions from the faceoff.

No matter what reason you have for employing a 10 man, be aware of the time and effort it will take.

How Does It Work?

Much like a half-court trap in basketball, each player on the field has a zone. The zones overlap, and defenders will try to funnel players in between zones where they can be trapped. The more difficult it is for the opposing team to clear the ball, the longer it will take to clear, and the higher the chances are that the clearing team will receive a failure to advance.

Additionally, the most common way to beat the 10 man ride is with longer passes with lower success rates, which is where additional turnovers are created. The use of a goalie as a 10th defender allows more ground to be covered, creating less space for offensive players to operate.

The major risk is that the goal is empty and teams can take long attempts at the empty cage. Smart teams will take shots at the net while backing up that shot, allowing what is essentially a free clear (assuming the officials understand that these are actual shots and not errant passes).

Above is a visual representation of a 10 man ride – explaining it via text doesn’t do it justice.

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The famous West Genny Drill has been around for my entire 32 years in lacrosse. Every coaching staff I’ve been on has utilized this drill as one of its many small-sided games.

Let’s take a look at what the drill is and why virtually everyone uses it in some form.

The West Genny Drill

The West Genny Drill has a long history in lacrosse, stemming back to the West Genesse lacrosse program.

“During the 1980’s, West Genesee went 212-6, winning five New York State Championships and making it to the Championship game six times, including 91 straight wins from 1981-84. All these players from this one school, playing this style of ‘Run and Gun’ Lacrosse are so famous, they have their own drill named after them.”

LaxLibrary.com

The drill mimics many aspects of lacrosse, most notably fast breaks and uneven, unsettled situations. To set up the West Genny Drill:

“Starts with three lines behind each goal. To start the drill one team has a three on two, and run down the field with the ball. They try to score, after either scoring or dropping the ball the last player to touch the ball gets back in line then the two remaining players play defense.”

League Athletics

The West Genny Drill is exactly like a common basketball drill I grew up with. We didn’t have a fancy name for it, but it’s three-on-two one way, then two-on-one down the other end. The only difference is that lacrosse has a goalie.

So why is West Genny such a popular drill? Well, when it’s run correctly, it creates a lot of opportunities for players to learn. They learn about decision making, hedging on defense, splitting two men off-ball, and it forces players to think fast and react faster.

The drill also creates a low-risk environment for making mistakes. With the pace being frenetic and continuous, players can make a mistake, get back in line, and then try again.

Known for its fast pace and back-and-forth nature, several people have noticed a similarity between the new World Lacrosse Sixes and the West Genny Drill. In fact, if I were an international coach, I’d only need one drill to accurately replicate and sufficiently prepare my team for competition.

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I wouldn’t be the player I am today without years and years of practice. What you see on the field couldn’t be possible without countless hours of work away from the cameras and stands. Over time, I’ve honed in one what I think are the best lacrosse drills to improve as a player.

It’s not just as simple as only doing these drills time and time again – you need more variety than that to be a fully well-rounded player. But these five lacrosse drills are what I consider to the best at molding superstar laxers.

The 5 Best Lacrosse Drills

Step Down Triangle

This drill will help you control your footwork and improve your power shooting technique.

Start by setting up three cones in a triangle close to the cage. Take a step-down shot, use quick footwork to reset to the center, and then do a fading step-down shot.

Inside Roll

This drill works on one of my favorite dodges – the inside roll.

Start behind the cage. Drive and work on getting a good spot inside the 8-meter, faking topside and tucking your stick and body to get underneath an imaginary defender. Then, work on finishing running across the crease.

Figure 8

This drill will work on your footwork, using both hands, and finishing on the run.

Run in a figure 8 pattern and receive passes both lefty and righty as you cut around the curve of the figure 8. Set up close to the cage so once you receive the pass, you can work on in-tight accurate catching, faking, and finishing on the run.

X – Finisher

This drill works on finishing your shot with no angle and your footwork around the crease.

Start at X. Split dodge at the back of the crease, then roll dodge right back around the crease to take a low-angle shot before crossing the goal-line extended. Be sure to focus on your footwork around the crease, and then turning your hips and squaring your shoulders to see around the goalie.

Crow Hop Hitch Crow Hop

This drill will work on using your step-down shot as a fake and as a finish.

Start with the wind-up motion of selling a step-down shot with a crow hop, then use that to step around an imaginary defender and go right into another crow hop to release the step-down shot.

Want More?

Check out the KO17 Lacrosse app, full of videos with drills and other instructions to help you get better, podcasts with other accomplished people in the game, film breakdowns, information on clinics and camps, and so much more!

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You just got a job as the new head coach of a promising program, and you’re very excited to get started and begin developing your system and culture. You sit down to create your first practice plan for your new lacrosse team, and you write out your favorites drills for teaching and player development, along with exercises that will aid in building squad chemistry.

But how do you fit in everything that lacrosse entails – transition, rides and clears, 6v6, man up and man down, faceoff work, goalie play, shooting, stick work, ground balls, odd evens, evens, conditioning, and more – all in one practice plan? The simple answer is, you can’t.

However, there are ways to make your lacrosse practices as efficient and effective as possible. Here are a few tips to ensure your team’s practices help your players become better at lacrosse across the board.

How to Make a Lacrosse Practice Plan

Always Be Intent with Your Purpose

It’s crucial that you create a plan that will develop your players into your specific system. Player development and team chemistry should be the top-two pre-cursors to the practice plan. Each drill should have a purpose.

For example, don’t just do 3v2s to do them. Be intent about the teaching points of the drill before, during, and after. Timing each drill and keeping them limited to six-to-10-minute blocks will help you with intensity and focus.

Overall, if you come into each drill with purpose and communicate to your team what you want to get out of each rep, you should have success.

Structure Around Your Weaknesses

If your team had a tough time riding and clearing on Saturday, start emphasizing the ride and clear in practice on Monday. If ground ball work was not solid, start off the day with a new ground ball drill and make it competitive. If you’re in preseason conditioning, then stick work and lacrosse IQ have to be on the top of the list for the practice plan agenda.

That doesn’t mean you should never cover what you’re good at. Lacrosse requires a complete game for success, and your strengths can be the reason you win games. But monitor your weaknesses and adjust your plans accordingly.

The message has to be to get better at the skills you may be deficient with; high-rep drills will help your team gain the muscle memory and IQ to make that quick decision on game day.

Make Practice Fun and Competitive

It doesn’t have to be big. It could be just a couple of drills that require the losers to do pushups or burpees, but this will create a little bit of an edge to your team during the week.

We like to plan one full plan per week based around competition drills. This always keep the team fired up and flying around, whether it’s on “Toughness Tuesday” or “Feel-Good Friday,” the team always responds.

It’s also important to ensure practice is fun. Lacrosse should be fun. That doesn’t mean it’s easy or doesn’t push you, but the overall experience should be enjoyable. You players to be excited not practice, not dread it.

If your players can compete among each other, hold one another accountable during the week, and have fun while doing it, then they’ll have trust in their teammates come game day.

Reinforce Game Speed

When you’re creating your lacrosse practice plan, if a drill seems boring to you, then it’s probably boring to your players. Practice should simulate games as much as possible. That means practice needs to be done at game speed, and that must be reinforced and planned for.

If you’re able to hit all these points of emphasis in every practice plan you formulate, then it’ll help you continue to develop your lacrosse team through the year.

And don’t forget to keep the faith, have fun, and check sticks!

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For those who are just starting out in organized lacrosse, learning the rules and how they apply can be quite the task. So, we’ve broken down five lacrosse rules that are a little more complicated or nuanced for beginners to help bridge the knowledge gap and get new players up to speed faster.

Five Lacrosse Rules Explained for Beginners

Warding Off

The Rule: Occurs when a player in possession of the ball uses their free hand or arm to hold, push, or control the direction of an opponent’s stick check.

The Explanation: As a ball carrier, you can’t use the arm that isn’t holding your stick to gain an advantage. You also can’t lower your shoulder to run through a player.

Offside

The Rule: Occurs when a team does not have at least four players on its defensive side of the midfield line or at least three players on its offensive side of the midfield line.

The Explanation: Each team needs a minimum of three players on the offensive end and four players on the defensive end. Usually, certain positions stay on their end (goalie, defense, attack), while midfielders roam back and forth. If you are a defender carrying the ball over the midfield line or attacker running back to play defense, make sure you yell “middie back” so that someone will take your place and keep the team onside.

The Crease

The Rule: An offensive player cannot touch or enter the circle around the goal. If a player is shooting and steps in the crease, the goal will not count.

The Explanation: As an offensive player, you are never allowed to enter the crease (at the youth levels). As a defender, you can enter the crease on the defensive end of the field as long as you don’t have the ball in your stick. No defensive player who gets the ball in the crease can leave the crease and then come back in.

Body Checking

The Rule: Occurs when any of the following actions takes place:

• body checking an opponent who is not in possession of the ball or within five yards of a loose ball;
• avoidable body check of an opponent after they have passed or shot the ball;
• body checking an opponent from the rear or at or below the waist;
• body checking an opponent above the shoulders. A body check must be below the shoulders and above the waist, and both hands of the player applying the body check must remain in contact with his crosse (another term for stick).

The Explanation: Keep your hands together, make sure the other player has the ball, and make sure contact is made between the waist and the shoulders and that you can see the front of their jersey when making contact. If the player has a knee on the ground, you can’t body check them until they are standing.

Interference/Moving Picks

The Rule: Occurs when a player interferes in any manner with the free movement of an opponent, except when that opponent has possession of the ball, the ball is in flight and within five yards of the player, or both players are within five yards of a loose ball.

The Explanation: To copy another popular sport, when you set a pick, you have to have your feet set, and you can’t be leaning into the person you are picking. Be careful to avoid using your arms to impede the defender as that can be interference as well.

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James Foote is the offensive coordinator of the Flagler College men’s lacrosse team, which will play its inaugural NCAA Division II season in 2021-22, and the Southeast Territory Manager for Powell Lacrosse. The Salisbury Shooting drill is one of his many favorite offensive lacrosse drills that he will highlight and explain on Lax All Stars.

This drill comes from Coach Jim Berkman at Salisbury University. The step-off, pass, pass shooting drill, or Salisbury Shooting as I will refer to it, is a great way to reinforce the principle of drawing the defense and quickly moving the ball to the backside for a scoring opportunity.

Salisbury Shooting is a great drill to mimic basic man-to-man offensive principles and zone offense basics, which Coach Berkman briefly touches on at the beginning of the video.

Salisbury Shooting Drill – How & Why

Setup

• Line of dodgers with balls top center
• Line of shooters at the high wing (left-wing in this case)
• Begin with one player on the crease
• The dodger becomes the crease player in the following rep

Executing the Drill

Salisbury Shooting begins with a ballcarrier above the restraining line in the top-center vicinity. In this example, the ball carrier will dodge or carry to his right while the player on the crease will mirror him, filling in up top.

As the crease player fills, the ball carrier will step away from the imaginary defense, freeing his hands and allowing him to move the ball back to the player who has filled.

It is crucial to emphasize correct footwork during this portion of the drill. The ball carrier should step away from the defense and begin moving back towards his target. Please do not encourage your players, young or old, to throw across their bodies while backpedaling!

The new perimeter player will receive the ball and quickly move it to the player on the wing, where they should have an opportunity for a time-and-room shot.

Again, be sure that both passers in this drill use correct footwork and fundamentals. You wouldn’t coach a quarterback to run in one direction and throw back across their body. The same emphasis needs to be here as well.

You will also want to use this opportunity to roll your sleeves up and break down time-and-room shooting fundamentals with your players:

• Catching the ball “loaded” and ready to release
• Remove excess cradles and steps from delivery
• Catch before shooting
• Selecting their target rather than shooting aimlessly (low & away, etc.)

Breaking Down Defenses with Salisbury Shooting

When practicing the Salisbury Shooting drill to prepare for man-to-man defense, you should instruct the initial ball carrier to take a more deliberate dodging approach downfield to begin the drill before stepping away from the slide.

Most man-to-man defenses will slide from the crease when there is an offensive player inside. The second slide will typically come from the player two passes away on the backside. In this instance, that second slide will most likely come from the player on the left wing. We want to take advantage of the defender vacating this area to earn a scoring opportunity.

Conversely, in most zone situations, a fundamental principle to beat a defense is to add an offensive player to the perimeter on a “seam,” forcing a defensive rotation. A “seam” is where two defensive zones meet or overlap and are the softest part of a team zone defense. Adding a player on a seam can create a defensive rotation, freeing up our same time-and-room shooter on the left wing for a solid opportunity.

When preparing for a zone defense, the initial ball carrier should execute a carry or sweep across the top. In a real-world situation, carrying the ball to the edge of a defensive zone creates a more prominent seam for the crease player to fill, which would entice the defense to rotate.

Salisbury Shooting is a simple drill, but it highlights many fundamental elements in the game of lacrosse. This drill is excellent for rosters of any size, can be worked from different areas on the field, and can be used effectively in both practice and pre-game warmup.

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If you’re like me, you may have to do a double take whenever planning a practice for kids. Those favorite lacrosse drills you had as a player might not be appropriate for youth players who are newer to the game and don’t have the ability to do what adults and teenagers can do.

Below, I detail three drills that I like to run when I’m working a youth lacrosse practice.

Three Great Youth Lacrosse Drills for Kids

Ground ball Train

This drill, originally provided by Coach Gerry Byrne while at Notre Dame, is an excellent lacrosse drill for all levels, including youth. We all know how important ground balls are, and this drill allows players to get a crazy amount of reps in a short period of time. An added bonus is the conditioning involved!

One of my favorite things is that if you have a few players who aren’t quite up to par yet, they won’t take away from the experience of the other players, because it’s an isolated drill.

Spoke Passing

Definitely not a drill for the first day of youth lacrosse practice, unless you’re blessed with a team that already has decent stick skills. This drill is great for high reps but still catching/passing while moving, working multiple catch/release points, and working timing.

The key in this drill is doing it correctly, meaning players are cutting at the right time, everyone is talking, and we are following the coach’s prompts (catch left throw right, catch right throw right, etc.).

Classic Z Drill

Tucker Durkin does a great job of explaining an absolute staple in coaching circles: the Z drill.

We’ve seen this drill run in some fashion across multiple sports. It’s a drill that definitely is designed for defensive players but benefits every position on the field. At its core, it’s a great footwork drill, but it’s also a great way for players to work on defensive approaches (footwork, low center of gravity, stick out front, approach angle). It’s one of those drills that’s easy to learn but hard to master.

The players in the video below make it look easy, but they’re some of the best high school players in the country. Trust me, your youth lacrosse practice will have plenty of coaching opportunities when you run this drill.

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It sounds cliché, but it’s the golden rule in lacrosse: hit the wall. We’ve all heard it from our first practice as children to our angry college coaches who saw us drop one too many passes: HIT. THE. WALL. So, you’ll want to know some lacrosse wall ball drills.

I’ve assembled five great videos to help you improve your stick skills and included a few tips for each to get you started. Champions are made in the offseason, so go find a wall, a bounce back, or even a pallet of wood leaned against something, and get better today.

Lacrosse Wall Ball Drills to Make You Better

Intro

Legendary player Bill Daye breaks down the importance of wall ball and gives a few tips to get us started.

All Inclusive

This wall ball workout with Joey Sankey is a great way to challenge yourself and also get the necessary reps. He starts of with the basics and builds his way up to more advanced skills.

140 Quick Reps – Intermediate

Any intermediate player can do this one, and I think it’s a great way to hit all of the different pass types in a short period of time. If you’re an intermediate to advanced player, I’d recommend this set of wall ball drills after a long weekend or a few days away from the stick to quickly get dialed in.

NEXT LEVEL

If you want a challenge or a way to keep yourself busy for hours, try any one of the things that lacrosse legend Matt Gibson does in the video below. Try watching this video without immediately running outside and attempting a few of these.

My Tips

• Get the reps you need, but also get creative. Wall ball is where you can add stuff to your game without risk.
• Move your feet as much as possible. No one ever throws passes with two flat feet squared up to their teammate in a game.
• Use tape or landmarks to hit spots on the wall to dial in accuracy. If it’s your wall, tape a lacrosse goal outline.
• Do wall ball drills with your gamer and your backup(s). What good is a backup stick that you’ve never used before the gamer breaks? Have the whole arsenal ready to go.

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These are some lacrosse goalie specific drills and tips to do before any training session.

The most inarguable fact in lacrosse is that goalie is the toughest position to play. Not only is it the toughest to play, but it’s also the toughest to train for.

Training and refining your goalie skills often times includes the need of a partner or someone to work with. When it comes to training and finding a partner, I recommend you keep the following thoughts in mind:

First, find someone you trust. Second, if your partner plays another position, tell them this is about you. Next, try to find another goalie to work with of similar skill. Fourth, go into your training with an intention on what you want to work on and communicate that with your partner.

When we work with our partners, it is important to go into your session with intention – intention on working on the things that YOU need to work on. Make sure you’re not going into your workout to just take step down shots or a shooting gallery. This will not improve your skills. Instead, go into your workout with the intention of working on a set of needs. Outline those needs and how you are going to work on them.

Before we get into our workout, it is important to make sure we are ready to do so and properly warmed up. Before we jump in, here is a list of drills I like to use to get my goalies ready to go!

Lacrosse Goalie Drills & Tips

GOALIE BASICS

Before we get into the goods, IT IS IMPORTANT that we remember the basics of goaltending from footwork to hand movement to proper body and step technique. This video, by University of Delaware assistant men’s lacrosse coach Chris Selva, shows goalies what they need to be thinking about when going into their warm ups and workouts. This is a friendly reminder to reinforce the fundamentals of basic positioning, stance, and steps.

PRE WARM UP

In this video, I break down a drill I use with my goalies when they’ve had a long day and need to loosen up. This drill is best used prior to a warm up to prepare the eyes, shoulders, arms, torso, and core. Use this drill to get your eyes dialed into the ball, your hands firing and working in unison!

‘FOOTIE’ PRE OR POST WARM UP

In this drill, Jacksonville University head men’s lacrosse coach and PLL Chrome goalie John Galloway, breaks down one of his favorite drills, “Footie,” that dials in a goalie’s eyes and feet to work together. This drill can be used prior to warm ups or during individual sessions. I like to use this drill prior to warm ups, because it allows my goalies to get eyes and feet dialed in, like the previous drill where our goalies got their eyes and hands working together. This drill promotes eye-foot coordination, proper stepping technique, keeping the ball in front of your body, and sealing off the back pipe. You will also steal a couple saves with your feet!

WARM UP VARIATION

Another great drill by JU head coach John Galloway is a variation to add to your warm up or even replace a goalie’s basic warm up. In this warm up variation, Galloway breaks down the warm up into two drills. One, the “level warm up.” and two, the “lateral” warm up.

In the “level warm up,” work on stick side first for about six or seven shots, then off stick si or seven shots. When working on each side, we are reading the release and changing of planes from the shooter focusing on high, hips, and low. In the “lateral” variation, we work in two sections: hips and higher, then hips and lower. We know which level the ball is traveling. Now it’s about reading where the ball is going. In the words of Coach Galloway: “If you train the same, we stay the same! Change up how we do things and get out of your comfort zone!”

At the end of the day, when it comes to any sort of goalie training, it is important to go into everything we do with two thoughts in mind: intention and visualization. Intention is the idea that we are locked in and doing things with purpose. Visualization is used with intention; if no ball is being used, don’t just go through the motions. Visualize the ball being released from a shooter, stepping, and visualizing the ball into your hand or stick. With these two things in mind when heading into any drill, you will sure set yourself up for success.

See the ball, save the ball!

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Editor’s note: Originally published in January 2010, this article from coach Dylan Sheridan about defining toughness in college lacrosse is even more relevant in 2021. We hope you enjoy!

After reading [an old] article on “toughness” in college hoops, I instantly put it in terms of college lacrosse. As a player in college, I, (like Mr. Bilas) thought I was tough.  I wasn’t.  If it weren’t for some incredible teammates my career probably would have fizzled out after my sophomore year.  I’ve had old coaches tell me that lacrosse is a game wasted on the youth. Maybe I’m just getting old, but I’m starting to see their point.  My biggest regret as a lacrosse player “is that I didn’t truly ‘get it’ much earlier in my playing career.”

Now, as a coach, my feeling about the composition of a truly great player has much less to do with size, strength, and athleticism and much more to do with character, toughness, and dedication.

At the end of last season, not much was made out of a kid like John Glynn (Cornell ’09). But every kid that first picks up a stick has been exposed to Mikey Powell.  Marketing isn’t ahead of the curve in today’s lacrosse culture, it controls the curve.  What’s been lost in the shuffle are the truly tough lacrosse players, the students of the game, the kids that make the smart play; plays that help their teams win.

Quite frankly, I feel there is a lack of toughness permeating throughout our sport. I believe in many ways style has transcended substance. The sad irony is that our sport, once considered exclusive, is actually losing its toughness during a period of huge gains in mainstream credibility.

Call me old school… but tilt, flow, and eye black don’t make you tough and won’t help you get a W. I’m a firm believer in the philosophy “look good to play good”, but lacrosse players today spend more time studying each other’s kits than they do their scouting reports. In an attempt to bridge the gap, I thought about some players from my generation that defined “toughness”.  Guys like Will Patton (UCSB ‘05) and Steven Merrell (USD ’06).

Surprisingly, one of the toughest players I’ve ever been around is a product of Chapman University. By most accounts, Chaptown is Mecca for all aspiring lax bros: “babe city,” home of the undyrun and the flowbucket. Don’t get me wrong, the Panthers have had their share of great players, but as a fan and an opponent, Danny Metoyer was TOUGH.

Completely average height, a buck fifty (soaking wet), and yet the kid absolutely dominated the MCLA ranks throughout his career. Danny was perpetual motion; like Rip Hamilton or Ray Allen, but on the lacrosse field. Other than Chad Donnelly, there is nobody more integral to the growth of Chapman Lacrosse. Without Danny, there would be no Con Bro Chill. He was the embodiment of west coast lacrosse – adrenaline named socks after him – but make no mistake, Danny was all substance; Danny was the part, and looking the part came naturally.

Here are some ways toughness is exhibited in lacrosse:

FOCUS

Tough lacrosse players are smart. They hustle. They are constantly thinking ahead of the play. Tough players work hard to concentrate on every play. Nowhere is this more evident than in the clearing game. The tough player communicates who has onside responsibility. The lazy player uses dead ball situations to catch his breath, jogs, and his team gets burned by the quick whistle. The tough player understands the importance of being pre-whistle ready, sprints to his spot, even if it’s from the box to the far corner…especially if it’s to the far corner.

RIDE

Tough attackmen ride hard. If defense wins championships, the toughest attackman realizes he becomes a defender the second the ball is turned over. Riding creates extra opportunities, often times easy transition goals. Riding disrupts substitutions and adds a dimension of pressure that wears down an opponent.

The lazy attackmen trails the ball carrier, throws a one handed hack, and hurts his team with penalties for slashing. Tough attackman do the work, take good pursuit angles, turn the ball carrier back toward pressure, and force them to make an extra pass. Tough players go as hard as they can for as long as they can.  A tough player is not deterred by a missed shot. A tough player values his performance first by how well he defended.

NEVER STAND STILL

Toughest players rarely make skip passes. They communicate and carry the ball with confidence until a safe pass can be made. They seldom put their teammates in a bad spot to receive the ball. On the flipside, the toughest players never stand and watch. They keep their defender engaged at all times, making it difficult for their defender to talk and identify slides. They never wait on the pass; they always run to the ball. They understand how to use their own momentum to gain a step, even though it usually means absorbing a check.

WEAK SIDE D

The toughest defenders are in and out on a string. They understand team defense. They fill on the weak side no matter how quickly the opposition moves the ball, and they communicate what they’re seeing. When on defense, the tough defenders move as the ball moves. The toughest players move on the flight of the ball, not when it gets to its destination. In lacrosse, like basketball, defenders cannot see the ball and hug their man, because they are afraid to get beat. A tough defender plays the ball and sees his man. There is a difference.

STICKS HIS NOSE IN THERE, HENCE THE EXPRESSION “TOUGH NOSED”

Whether it’s at the X or right in front of the cage, the toughest players aren’t afraid to get hit. They’re usually in the middle of a GB scrum or catching and finishing in traffic. Tough players get hit, hard, a lot, and they pop right back up.

FINISH CHECKS

Whether it’s just getting the ball around or after a shot attempt, the toughest defensemen are in position to finish with a hard check: legal, annoying, often painful, reminders that they are gonna be there all day.

FINISH PLAYS

They don’t give up on a play or assume that a teammate will do it. A tough player plays through to the whistle. Tough players study the opponent. They understand the match ups, they work to exploit the mismatch, and they execute whether or not it means points in their stat column. Hockey assists aren’t a stat in lacrosse; however, the toughest players regularly draw the slide and unselfishly move the ball setting up his teammate two passes away.

TAKE AND GIVE CRITICISM

Tough players can take criticism without feeling the need to answer back or give excuses. They are open to getting better and expect to be challenged and hear tough things. You will never again in your life have the opportunity you have now at the college level: a coaching staff that is totally and completely dedicated to making you and your team better. Tough players listen and are not afraid to say what other teammates may not want to hear, but need to hear.

GREAT TEAMMATES

Tough players take nothing for granted. They keep their foot on the accelerator. Tough players don’t waste time celebrating a good play or lamenting a bad one. They don’t care about the weather. They don’t whine to officials, coaches, or teammates. They never react negatively to a mistake of a teammate.

They make the extra pass. They chase shots to the end line like their lives depend on the next possession. They move the ball immediately after getting it off the ground. They always look coaches and teammates in the eye, because if they are talking, it is important to them and to you. They treat the locker room better than they treat their pocket.

Tough players never cheat the game.

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This week, we welcomed faceoff guru, fitness beast, and all around good guy Greg Gurenlian.

Every single time we ask one of these current or former PLL guys to be on the show, they immediately say yes, and not only do they say yes, they come ready to talk.

Some of the topics you can look forward to when you listen to this episode:

-How and why do we lift for lacrosse success?

-Creation of Greg’s BeastLab

-Wing play, transition play, and why we need to focus on them more.

-Making big boy decisions for lifting and playing multiple sports.

-The Faceoff Academy and faceoff rule changes.

-The most overrated/underrated football movies.

-How Greg found his way to the PLL, and it’s not exactly what you would expect.

Want to reach Greg? Check him out on IG, Twitter, and Youtube.

Also, check out this epic training montage from 2010:

Last Week

Current Toronto Rock and Archers LC lacrosse player Tom Schreiber joined us for a deep dive into:

-Being one of the best lacrosse players in the world

-Playing professional lacrosse full time and what that means

-Attending St. Anthony’s and how that prepared him for Princeton

-Why he chose Princeton and his relationship with coach Bates

–His players academy course and online training in general

-Who Tom is off the field and his thoughts on Long Island Deli

Our conversation with Tom Schreiber left us with a much deeper understanding on the commitment today’s pro players are making to push the game forward. Tom is the perfect example of how professional players are pushing together to make the game better.

Take the time and give Tom Schreiber a follow on IG or Twitter.

While you’re at it give us a follow here: IG or Twitter

Want to reach Greg? Check him out on IG, Twitter, and Youtube.

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published October 17, 2016, but the advice remains as true in 2020 as it did when Kyle first stepped foot on campus at Hopkins. Pass this along to anyone you know heading off to their first year of college lacrosse.

In my latest Weekly Assist episode with UNINTERRUPTED, I shared a few tips for Fall Ball for those making the big transition from high school to college:

A few words of wisdom to college and high school #lax players courtesy of @KyleHarrison18. pic.twitter.com/Yn2Ovv3S2l

— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) October 13, 2016

Tips For Fall Ball – Recap

Team lifts, team practices, team workouts… those will all be mandatory and expected. Everything else you do to improve your game outside of those times is on you. When it comes to managing your personal time, it’s important you find that rhythm that allows you to reach your full potential as a student athlete.

Here are a few things I encourage high school players to make part of your daily routine as you’re kicking off college:

1. Stick work and shooting – Get your stick right everyday. At Hopkins I used to shoot early in the morning, so by the time practice rolled around I already had my stick dialed in and felt like I’d gotten my reps.
2. Film study – For me, I always had my best film sessions right after class because I was coming away from class with that learning mindset and naturally applying it directly to my film work.
3. Study hall / library time – Do it. Put the time in and take advantage of any structured study hall time that’s offered in your program. It may not always be easy to stay focused in college, but try with all your might. Putting quality time in will bring you satisfying results.

Now, everyone is different. The morning might not be the best time for you to shoot. So find the time that is right for you.

Whether it’s getting your stick right, understanding film, or studying, you’ve got to put in the work in order to reap the rewards. Do the best you can to get in your rhythm quickly and make the most of all your free time.

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Lacrosse teams, or at least buddies, from all over the US are getting creative when it comes social distancing and improving their stick skills…

Take Chase Stephens and Peter Alessi, juniors at Scranton Prep in Honesdale, PA for example:

This story started with a :10 second video shot by Richelle Stephens from Honesdale and sent into Newswatch 16 on her son Chase and his friend Peter Alessi taking social distancing while working on lacrosse stick handling to a new level.

full story

The Spencerport Rangers girls lacrosse team:

Distant but not far We Are In This Together @Ranger_GLax nailed it @SecVAthletics @SpencerportCSD @SecVGirlsLax @NYSPHSAA pic.twitter.com/fpMh0lXrF2

— Spencerport Rangers (@Ranger_Sports) March 25, 2020

full story

And the Chatham Youth Lacrosse team:

The players can’t get together because of the Coronavirus pandemic, but the members of BBL 2025 (Building Blocks Lacrosse) found a way to team up to make an uplifting video.

full story

In the wake of the Global Pandemic, sports teams around the world have had to stop team practices, and our club lacrosse season was cut short as soon as it started. We won’t let this stop us. We are one team and will keep practicing and playing on our own until we can be together again. We hope this inspires teams around the world to “come together” virtually, keep your team going and have some fun. Until we play again…Stay united.

Are you doing something creative to keep your skills up and bring your team together right now? We want to hear about it! Drop us a line so we can help tell your story.

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Lax Film Study presents the “Backyard Creative Skills” playlist. We hope you enjoy!

Receive complete access to the Lacrosse Film Study Library when you support The Give & Go Foundation! Click here to learn more…

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