Comprehensive 2-Hour Practice Plan for High School Men’s Lacrosse
Practice Objectives:
• Improve fundamental skills: passing, catching, shooting, dodging, and defensive positioning.
• Enhance team strategies: offensive plays, defensive formations, and transition tactics.
• Boost conditioning and game readiness.
• Foster teamwork and communication.
Practice Schedule:
0:00 – 0:10 | Warm-Up (10 minutes)
• Dynamic Warm-Up:
• Jogging around the field (2 laps).
• High knees, butt kicks, carioca, and side shuffles.
0:10 – 0:25 | Stick Skills and Passing Drills (15 minutes)
• Quick Sticks: Players line up in two lines facing each other, passing quickly without cradle.
• One-Handed Catch and Throw: Emphasize control and hand strength.
• Cross-Hand Passing: Practice non-dominant hand passing and catching.
0:25 – 0:40 | Ground Ball Drills (15 minutes)
• Ground ball, Pass, Shots:
This is a very simple warm up drill that works the fundamentals of ground balls, passing and shooting. Highly recommend this.
0:40 – 0:55 | Shooting Drills (15 minutes)
This is an drill is excellent for teaching players to dodge from the X position, moving side to side and finding space in the five-by-five location at the top of the area.
0:55 – 1:10 | 1v1 (15 minutes)
This drill focuses on 1v1 situations, allowing offensive players to practice dodges and defensive players to work on positioning and sliding into the hole. With an emphasis on communication, footwork, and finishing with a shot, this drill helps both offense and defense sharpen their skills in realistic game scenarios. Variations include adjusting the starting location or adding an offensive player to challenge the slide defender.
1:10 – 1:25 | Transition Drills (15 minutes)
• 3v2 Fast Breaks:
• Emphasize decision-making and quick ball movement.
1:25 – 1:40 | Team Offense vs. Defense (15 minutes)
• 6v6 Situational Play:
• Focus Areas:
• Offensive sets: practice the weave at the top of the box.
• Defensive formations: implement box or diamond defense.
• Implement Strategies:
• Run specific plays, focusing on execution and timing.
• Defense works on communication and sliding.
1:40 – 1:50 | Man-Up and Man-Down Scenarios (10 minutes)
• Man-Up Offense:
• Practice the 3-3 offensive set with 6-man rotation.
• Man-Down Defense:
• Work on strategies like shutting off the best offensive player and 4v5 defensive formations.
1:50 – 2:00 | Cool Down and Team Discussion (10 minutes)
• Cool Down:
• Light jog around the field.
• Static stretching focusing on major muscle groups.
• Team Discussion:
• Recap practice highlights and areas for improvement.
• Discuss upcoming games or strategies.
• Emphasize teamwork, effort, and sportsmanship.
Additional Notes:
• Emphasize Communication:
• Encourage players to talk during drills, especially on defense and during transitions.
• Ensure High Intensity:
• Keep drills fast-paced to simulate game conditions and improve conditioning.
• Monitor Players:
• Coaches should provide feedback and correct techniques throughout the practice.
• Hydration Breaks:
• Allow short water breaks between drills as needed, especially in warm weather.
Equipment Needed:
• Lacrosse balls (ample supply)
• Cones for drills
• Goals with nets
• Pinnies or jerseys to distinguish teams
• Water stations or coolers
By following this practice plan, your high school men’s lacrosse team will work on essential skills, reinforce team strategies, and improve overall performance on the field.
