This document discusses teaching lacrosse fundamentals over set plays. It emphasizes that fundamentals are critical and coaches should teach teams to make decisions on the field. While set plays have their place in certain situations like the final seconds of a game, introducing them before players understand how to play puts "the cart before the horse." The rest of the document provides examples of drills and exercises to teach both settled and unsettled situations that develop skills like passing, catching, clearing the ball, and defensive positioning and communication.
3rd Man Runs Warm Ups Plus Phase of PlayChris Burt
THIS GAME AND ITS MANY PROGRESSIONS IS DESIGNED TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THE THINKING PROCESSES OF THE PLAYERS. MANY MENTAL CHALLENGES TO OVERCOME AND LEARN FROM.
3rd Man Runs Warm Ups Plus Phase of PlayChris Burt
THIS GAME AND ITS MANY PROGRESSIONS IS DESIGNED TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THE THINKING PROCESSES OF THE PLAYERS. MANY MENTAL CHALLENGES TO OVERCOME AND LEARN FROM.
One of the most valuable tools a coach can use is the Mini Diamond. Any drill in which the focus of the teaching is something other than working on full on overhand throwing technique can be run on a Mini Diamond. Use of the Mini Diamond is referenced throughout the Coaching Guide.
7. Knowing the fundamentals of the game is essential for success Teaching set plays before knowing how to play is “putting the cart ahead of the horse”; Lacrosse is not football Lacrosse is a game of flow (we’re not talking about hair). It’s why soccer, basketball, and hockey players are more easily adaptable to the game. Introduction
8. Settled Situations 2 pass shooting drill - Teaches proper skills within the offense you are running Starts with ground ball, split dodge, etc. 3 players in 1-4-1 shell – no one at X or crease 1 at point 1 at each side of the cage, 10 yards from cage, along GLE Drill begins with point man running a split dodge followed by a quick pass to player along GLE (either side) Offensive End – Frank Clark
9. Adjacent player receives pass, running through the ball, in a triple threat position He, immediately, throws a skip pass to opposite side player The last player catches the ball with proper form and finishes as instructed Time & Room Split to shot on the run etc Offensive End – Frank Clark
20. Coach passes to O players who are locked off – must get open
21. One pass is made, closest D adjacent to ball doubles quickly
22. Ball carrier must protect ball from double team and move it to create odd-man situationOffensive End – Frank Clark
23. Offense Getting open when locked off Moving their feet through the ball on a catch Off-ball picks Dealing with a double Moving the ball under pressure Two feeds to the open or back side Recognizing a 2 on 1 Defense Anticipation Quick & Hard Double Sliding in Transition Force the Offense to throw as many passes as possible Recover and replace to the back side 4 v 4 Lock on to Transition Drill – What is Taught?
27. Starts in 6 v 6 Scrimmage Situation Head Coach Stands to side with eyes closed Another coach whistles the play down at his discretion Head Coach points to where he believes the ball to be based on D communication If Head Coach points to the ball, the D has done a great job – then, whistle coach checks off ball positioning Blind Coach Drill
28. Communication / Reacting to being down a man Starts in 6 v 6 – Coach calls out a # – that # runs out of the drill to touch a cone, wall, or bench If he calls a defenders #, O must note advantage and move appropriately – D makes proper call and gets into Zone/MDD look When defender returns, balance out Jersey (Numbers) Drill
29. Communication / Reacting to being Man-Up Starts in 6 v 6 – Coach calls out a # – that # runs out of the drill to touch a cone, wall, or bench If he calls an O player’s #, D must communicate and look to pressure/double the ball intelligently D must recognize when advantage is over and check up Jersey (Numbers) Drill
30. Beginning Drill in a Series of 3 – 4 Drills / Progression Monkey in the Middle Approach with Dodger / 2 Passers 2 Passers / 2 Dodgers Circle (Hidden Conditioning) Approach Drill
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32. How you teach unsettled clears / rides will impact what you do in settled situationsRiding and Clearing / Transition – Troy Hood
33. Unsettled Clearing – Coach Hood’s Values Just like EMO – you have one extra player The easiest place to clear the ball is where it passed or shot from. If the opposing ride has a chance to drop, the ball must change sides of the field “Bang it off the wall” All 10 players on the field committed to the clear Riding and Clearing / Transition – Troy Hood
34. “Bang It Off The Wall” If you have the ball on the outside, look inside. If you have the ball on the inside, look outside. Virginia does this constantly. With this simple concept (and superior athletes), they turn every clear into a scoring chance Riding and Clearing / Transition – Troy Hood
37. Keep moving. Use the off-ball skills taught to get open and help your team clear
38. The ball is coming to you if successful; work hard for what you want
39. Working to get open will kill even the best rideRiding and Clearing / Transition – Troy Hood
40. Settled Situations Take advantage of what you do well in unsettled clears MULTIPLE OPTIONS with every pass Solid stick skills from your team Involve all 10 players Run clearing drills with players out of position Helps them understand each others’ jobs Riding and Clearing / Transition – Troy Hood
51. “It’s your dime, folks!! Bring it.” We won’t offer a set answer to every situation. What we will offer is a way to prepare your players to make correct decisions for your team. Open Forum
52. Give the players the tools they need to succeed in any situation. This is their game and their youth / high school / collegiate experience. The coach’s role should be such that game day is enjoyable; if you’ve done your job, it will be. Closing
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