Stick Work Fundamentals and Offensive Movement

Objective: Improve passing, stick control, and offensive movement skills.

1. Dynamic Warm-Up (10 minutes)

• Description: Begin with dynamic stretching to enhance mobility and activate all muscle groups. This will help players get ready for both offensive and defensive movements.

• Warm-up: High Five Shuffle Defensive reaction drill : A quick drill to activate the legs, focusing on defensive reactions, although it will also prepare the body for general movement and offensive transitions.

• Warming up with dynamic stretching and an agility drill like the High Five Shuffle helps to activate the muscles and prepare the players for fast movements, improving both offensive and defensive agility.

2. Passing Skills and Stick Control (25 minutes)

• Drill 1: Partner Passing done right (10 minutes):
  Players partner up to practice passing while moving across the field. The drill focuses on improving passing accuracy, timing, and stick control.

  • This drill is crucial for developing the basic skills of passing and stick control. By practicing while moving, players improve their ability to pass accurately under pressure and maintain possession of the ball.

• Drill 2: Three-Player Weave Passing (15 minutes):
  A passing drill that involves three players weaving through each other while passing. This also introduces "picks" or screens to simulate offensive tactics.

  • The Three-Player Weave Passing drill helps players work on coordination, passing accuracy, and movement without the ball. The addition of "picks" develops teamwork and offensive strategies, enhancing overall offensive flow and ball movement.

3. Shooting and Finishing (20 minutes)

• Drill 1: 4 point shooting Drill :
  Players practice shooting from four different points around the goal area, focusing on improving shot accuracy from various angles.

  • The 4-Point Shooting Drill is essential for improving shooting accuracy from multiple angles around the goal. It allows players to practice shooting under different conditions, which is crucial for real-game scenarios.

• Drill 2: Mastering Off-Ball Movements: The Mirror Shooting Drill in Lacrosse (Alternate drill):
  This drill focuses on improving off-ball movement and timing with passes. Players practice receiving passes and shooting quickly, enhancing their ability to score efficiently.

  • Off-ball movement is a vital component of effective offensive play. This drill helps players improve their ability to move without the ball and anticipate passes, ensuring they can receive and shoot quickly, maximizing scoring opportunities.

4. Transition and Teamwork (20 minutes)

• Drill 1: 4v3 to 4v4 Fast-Break drill:
  This drill simulates a fast break situation where players transition quickly from defense to offense, making decisions under pressure. The focus is on passing, moving the ball, and creating scoring opportunities.

  • The 4v3 to 4v4 Fast-Break Drill helps players improve their decision-making during fast breaks. It emphasizes passing accuracy, movement off the ball, and how to quickly transition between offense and defense, all of which are crucial for success in a fast-paced game.

• Drill 2: Star Passing Drill:
  A classic passing drill where players move in a star-shaped pattern, passing the ball around while maintaining good communication and precision. The drill ends with a shot on goal.

  • The Star Passing Drill is excellent for working on passing precision and communication. It teaches players how to move and pass effectively while maintaining a fluid, fast-paced offensive attack. The addition of a shot on goal helps players finish plays after strong ball movement.

5. Competitive Play (15 minutes)

• Drill: Back to Back 3v3:
  A small-sided, competitive game that encourages creativity, quick thinking, and teamwork. The focus is on passing, cutting, and reacting quickly to create scoring opportunities.

  • The Back to Back 3v3 drill fosters a competitive environment where players can apply the skills they've learned in a realistic game setting. This drill promotes creativity, teamwork, and quick decision-making under pressure, simulating real-game situations.

Benefits of the Session:

This session is designed to improve the fundamental skills of passing, stick control, and offensive movement. The passing drills, such as Partner Passing Done Right and Three-Player Weave Passing, help players develop accuracy and coordination, while Shooting and Finishing drills like the 4-Point Shooting Drill and Mirror Shooting Drill refine their ability to score from various angles and under pressure. The Transition and Teamwork section, with drills like 4v3 to 4v4 Fast-Break Drill and Star Passing Drill, emphasizes the importance of moving the ball quickly, transitioning efficiently between offense and defense, and making fast decisions. The Back to Back 3v3 game creates a competitive environment where players can apply all the skills in game-like conditions. Overall, the session develops well-rounded offensive players who can execute a variety of skills under pressure.