The 3v2 is one of the most common transition drills in lacrosse practice. But when it is run the same way every day, players can quickly figure out exactly what is coming.

The traditional setup usually has three offensive players up top and two defenders coming from behind the cage. The offense gets a shot, the defense runs back, and the drill starts again.

A different approach is to change where the drill begins.

Coach Sheehan's version uses several starting locations to create different game-like situations while keeping the drill fast-paced and engaging.

Variation 1: From the Alley

Players line up in the channel between the restraining line and the sideline.

The players are staggered:

Offense → Defense → Offense → Defense → Offense

The coach rolls a ground ball or makes a pass. The defenders get a two- or three-step head start, and the players immediately transition into a 3v2.

This creates a more game-like transition situation because players have to react to the ball instead of simply waiting for a predetermined pass.

You can also split the midfielders into offensive and defensive groups and then reverse their roles.

Variation 2: Behind the Cage

The same staggered line formation is used, but the drill begins behind the cage.

This gives the offense and defense a different angle and forces players to recognize the developing transition from a new location.

The drill should move quickly. Players need to establish position, communicate, and react rather than waiting for the play to develop slowly.

Variation 3: From the Far Alley

Move the starting line to the far alley or channel.

The players again begin in the staggered offensive-defensive formation before the coach initiates the play.

Changing the location forces defenders to adjust their approach and gives offensive players another look at spacing and transition.

Running the drill from multiple areas of the field also prevents players from simply memorizing the pattern.

Variation 4: From Up Top

The final starting location is up top.

This creates another transition look and allows players to experience the 3v2 from a familiar location while still changing the way the drill develops.

The goal is to keep the action moving quickly from one repetition to the next.

Run Multiple Stations

You can make the drill even faster by setting up two stations.

Roll the ball to one group and then immediately start the second group.

This gives players more repetitions in a short period of time and keeps everyone engaged.

The defensive players should focus on:

  • Moving quickly into position

  • Establishing good defensive position

  • Getting sticks in the passing lanes

  • Communicating

  • Recognizing slides

  • Recovering in transition

The offensive players get repeated opportunities to work on spacing, passing, and finishing.

Goalies also benefit from the high number of shots and different angles created by the changing starting locations.

A Different Look: 3v2 From Behind the Cage

Another variation begins with three offensive players behind the cage while two defenders enter from lines at the restraining line.

This changes the defensive slide picture because the offensive players are developing the play from behind the cage.

It also places an emphasis on offensive spacing.

The three offensive players need to quickly move from their starting position behind the cage into useful attacking space in front of the cage.

This can take some adjustment the first time players run it because the spacing and timing are different from a traditional 3v2.

Coaching Points

The biggest benefit of these variations is that players cannot simply anticipate the same sequence every repetition.

Keep the drill:

  • Fast-paced

  • Competitive

  • Different

  • Game-like

For defenders, emphasize communication, positioning, sticks up, and recognizing slides.

For offense, emphasize spacing, quick passing, and getting shots off.

By changing the starting location, the same basic 3v2 concept can create several different transition situations and give players a much broader set of looks to react to.