High School Lacrosse Practice Plan: Rides and Clears Focus
Objective:
Improve execution and communication during clears while developing aggressive, disciplined rides that disrupt the opposing team’s transition. This plan emphasizes spacing, decision-making, and game-like pressure to enhance possession control and create scoring opportunities from both ends of the field.
00:00 – 00:15 | Warm-Up
Drill: Ground Ball, Pass, Shot Warm-Up Drill
A dynamic way to get players moving while reinforcing ground ball technique and passing fundamentals.
00:15 – 00:40 | Clearing Drills
Drill: Line Pass Challenge
Helps players build stick skills
Drill: Opposite Box Push Clear
Teaches players to use the width of the field and opposite box to stretch the ride and find safe outlets.
00:40 – 01:10 | Riding
Man-to-Man Goalie Jump Ride
Teaches aggressive riding by pressuring every outlet and leaving the goalie as bait.
Drill: 33 Zone Ride
Introduces a structured ride that forces teams into high-risk clears with trap zones.
01:10 – 01:40 | Transition Drills
Drill: Midfield Mastery – On-Sides / Off-Sides Transition Drill
Trains players to make fast clearing decisions at the midfield line and stay organized in transition.
Drill: Dynamic Transition Mastery Drill
Creates chaotic, live-ball situations to simulate failed clears or ride breaks and demands fast decisions.
01:40 – 02:00 | Scrimmage and Cool-Down
Drill: 6v6 Scrimmage – Ride/Clear Emphasis
Play live 6v6 with emphasis on clearing after saves and riding after turnovers. Coaches whistle in new clears from the endline.
Stretch Routine
Wrap up with a team-led stretch focused on hips, hamstrings, quads, and shoulders.
Why This Practice Plan Works
This practice plan is built to reinforce two of the most overlooked yet vital aspects of high school men’s lacrosse: the clear and the ride. These transition moments dictate possession and momentum — a well-executed clear relieves pressure and sets up offensive flow, while an aggressive ride can create scoring opportunities before a defense is even set. This plan trains both.
It starts with an efficient warm-up to activate footwork and core skills, then flows into specific clearing drills that improve spacing and communication under pressure. The Rotating Triangle Clear helps simulate rotating pressure and open passing angles, while the Opposite Box Push Clear teaches long passes and lateral movement — essential for avoiding sideline traps.
Once clearing mechanics are sharpened, the focus shifts to the ride. The Man-to-Man Goalie Jump Ride drill encourages aggressive, tight coverage with a read on baiting the goalie. The 33 Zone Ride balances discipline and chaos, teaching players how to trap and pressure without overcommitting. Both drills help your team disrupt opponents and win extra possessions.
The transition section adds unpredictability — where games are often won or lost. Midfield drills demand fast recognition of who’s offside and test situational awareness. The Dynamic Transition Mastery Drill creates real pressure, forcing players to communicate and recover on the fly.
A competitive scrimmage ends the session by applying everything learned. By starting clears and rides after turnovers and saves, players see how these skills flow into actual game rhythm. Static stretching finishes practice with injury prevention and a chance to reflect on execution.
Ultimately, this men’s lacrosse practice plan sharpens your team’s ability to win transition moments. And in high school lacrosse, that often means the difference between dominating the tempo… or playing catch-up. When you can clear confidently and ride with aggression, you control the game — and that’s what this session is all about.
