Midfield Mastery: On-Sides / Off-Sides Transition Drill
Objective:
To teach players how to use the midfield line strategically while reinforcing offside rules, enhancing full-field awareness, and building transition skills.
Setup:
Two teams of 7 players each.
Teams must always keep 3 players on each side of the midfield line to stay onside—just like in a real game.
Mix of short sticks and long poles is encouraged; positions don’t matter in this drill.
Use a full field with both restraining boxes marked.
Use the face off lines as the out of bounds in an effort to make it more narrow and hence more challenging to clear
Rules & Flow:
One team starts with possession and attempts to advance the ball into the restraining box.
At all times, 3 players must remain on their own half to maintain proper offsides balance.
Teams will learn on the fly how to manage offside situations: when a player goes over, another must stay back.
Once a team successfully enters the other restraining box, they turn around and go the other way, keeping possession.
This encourages clearing and riding reps for all players, regardless of position.
If the defending team gains possession and brings it to the restraining box, they immediately become the clearing team and attack the other direction.
The drill is continuous — no stoppages, no resets. Just flow.
Key Teaching Points:
Midfield awareness: Players must constantly track their position relative to the midfield line to avoid offside penalties.
Communication: Teams must talk through who's going and who's staying to maintain balance.
Transition skills: Emphasize smooth clears, aggressive rides, and smart spacing during fast breaks.
Positional flexibility: Any player can stay back or push forward—everyone learns to play both ends.
Game simulation: Mimics the chaos and pace of live-game transition.
Why It Works:
Develops lacrosse IQ, especially around offsides and transition decisions.
Forces long poles and short sticks alike to handle the ball under pressure.
Reinforces conditioning, team coordination, and real-time problem-solving.
Encourages a fast-paced, competitive environment that sharpens game-ready skills.
Optional variation:
If you want specific groups to practice clearing and riding, have the ball change possession after a successful entry into the restraining box. This way, one team is always riding while the other is clearing.
If you want to practice subbing on the fly, have a players waiting at the midfield line in the substation box to come in and out. This is a great way to incorporate more players.
If you want to make it more challenging, as the video above may be an easy clear for the more advanced levels.
create a timer to clear the ball
Add an extra player on each team to create more congestion
