Lacrosse – Defense | Defensive Drills for Girls’ Lacrosse

Drill Specs
Drill Theme:

Defensive Drills

Field Position:

Defense
Drill Style:

Skills, Conditioning

Time Needed:

10 min
Field Location:

Half Field

Skill Level:

Advanced

Objective
To improve on ball & off ball defensive positioning, including approaching ball carrier & recovering to ‘hole’ in good ‘help’ position after a pass is made. Including taking away the top side cut for players at the midfield or 8 meter area.

Description of Drill-Execution
Start as modified 4v4, with 4 offensive players moving the ball back & forth forcing the defensive players to move into correct position – when your player is receiving the ball you should ‘extend’ to ball, break down, and take away the top side. When your player passes the ball you should drop step, turn in the direction of the pass/ball, with your stick up & in passing land while quickly ‘recovering’ to a good ‘help’ position in the hole. When playing off-ball you should maintain the “player-you-ball” triangle.

D1 is playing ball carrier X1. When X1 passes to X2, D1 drop steps, turns toward ball and recovers to help position in the hole. D2 simultaneously extends to play X2 receiving the pass.

D3 and D4 will work into a position to support the opposite tide of the field and take away a top side cut for X3 and X4, but still being aware of needing to take away any inside cuts.

The drill requires all 4 players on offense to work the ball for a required number of passes, until the coach blows a double whistle and you play the drill out 4 v 4.

Drill Diagram:

Skills Practiced:

Off Ball Defense
Defensive Positioning
Defensive Footwork
Conditioning
Variations/Progression/Increased difficulty (As your players improve their skills incorporate the following…)

This drill can be expanded to 4v4 where 4 defensive players are in constant motion moving to ‘on-ball’ or ‘off-ball’ positions as the ball is passed around perimeter.