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3. Fundamentals - Lesson #3 (Culmination)

Equipment Needed: Lacrosse Box, Lacrosse Balls, Nets, Tape, Universal Screw Driver, Zip Ties, Full Equipment, Sticks, Pylons, Whistle

Level = Beginner

*Note - Goalies Are Optional (3x3 Nets With An 8-Foot Crease Are Recommended For Players Under 8 Years Old)*

Reminders:

- Dynamic Warm Up Link: https://laxlife.ca/Resources/Physical-Mental-Performance/Physical-Performance/Dynamic-Stretches.pdf

- Defensive Skills Analysis Link: https://laxlife.ca/fundamental-skills-analysis/defense

- Loose Ball Skills Analysis Link: https://laxlife.ca/fundamental-skills-analysis/loose-balls-and-face-offs

- Cradling Skills Analysis Link: https://laxlife.ca/fundamental-skills-analysis/cradling

- Passing/Catching/Shooting Skills Analysis Link: https://laxlife.ca/fundamental-skills-analysis/stickwork-passing-catching-shooting

- If a player misses a pass in any catching drill they should get a second attempt at catching a pass from a coach

- Static Stretching Link: https://laxlife.ca/Resources/Physical-Mental-Performance/Physical-Performance/Static-Stretches.pdf

TOTAL ESTIMATED TIME:

MINS

Huddle

DRILL #
MINS
- Circle at Centre-Floor
- Land Acknowledgement
- Rehash (1 min): skills learned last practice
- Lacrosse (1 min): "Fun"
- Come up with an appropriate word, as a team, for a team cheer
Warm Up Drill #2A: Loose Ball Line Shuttles (Straight)

DRILL #
MINS
Variation #1A & #1B: "Loose Ball Shuttle" (Scoop/Trap & Scoop)
- Draw Diagram = 1 min
- Have players lined up in two lines facing each other (approximately 15 metres apart), near the shooter positions, in one or both ends of the floor.
- The first player in each line begins with a short run forward (one being in possession of the ball), being sure not to leave too early (which can disrupt the timing of the drill).
- Start with a "stationary loose ball," with players scooping, and later "trap & scooping," the ball and then placing it back down in the same spot (middle of the shuttle) before running to the back of the opposite line (Variation #1A).
- Next, have players roll a loose ball to the line across from them, then run to the back of the line that they rolled it to (Variation #1B).
- Most common error = the timing of the drill can be thrown off if players leave their line too early/late
Stickwork Drill #3: Loose Balls & Catching On-The-Run

DRILL #
MINS
Variation #1A & #1B (4 min): "Dynamic Loose Balls" (Stationary & Bouncing Ball Placement).
*left-side of diagram*
- Divide the full-floor in half lengthwise with an imaginary line (or using pylons). Organize players into lines, in opposite corners, at opposite ends of the floor (this drill could also be done on half of the floor as well).
- Lines should switch sides halfway through the drill in order to practice scooping (and later catching) the ball on both sides of the player's body.
- Have players run to pick-up the loose ball on-the-run, somewhere near centre-floor, cradling the ball toward the net for a breakaway shot once they’ve possessed it (drifting if approaching from their "wrong-floor-side").
- Start with a stationary ball placement (Variation #1A). Next, bounce the ball off of the boards (Variation #1B)
- Most common error = players shooting from their "wrong floor side"

Variation #2A (5 min): "Dynamic Catching"
*right-side of diagram*
- Divide the full-floor in half lengthwise with an imaginary line (or using pylons). Organize players into lines, in opposite corners, at opposite ends of the floor (this drill could also be done on half of the floor as well).
- Lines should switch sides halfway through the drill in order to practice catching the ball on both sides of the player's body (cross body).
- Have players run in a straight line two metres closer to the middle of the floor than where the coach is standing.
- As the player approaches, the coach throws the ball straight up into the air for the player to then run underneath and catch, ideally with their stick in "triple threat position"
- Water Break = 1 min
Warm Up

DRILL #
MINS
- Introduce "stationary dynamic stretching" routine (see link in plan notes)
Cradling Drill #3A: Cradling/Dodging Around Pylons

DRILL #
MINS
Variation #1 (2 min): "Speed & Agility Build Up"
- Re-Hash (1 min): "Cradling"
- Arrange pylons into any straight, zig-zag or combined formation, within an imaginary lengthwise half of the floor.
- Have players line up behind the goal-line, in opposite corners, in opposite ends, to start.
- Starting at walking speed, emphasize the coordination of walking and cradling. Work up to 50 percent speed, having players weave through the pylons, being sure to protect the ball.
- Increase to 75-90 percent speed the next few times through the pylons, once satisfactory technique is established.
- The next player doesn’t go until the first player is around the nearest restraining line.
- Coaches can also hold up a number with their fingers and ask players what number it is, encouraging them to do the drill with their heads up.
- At the end of the drill players take an outside shot on the net (consider marking the recommended distance with a pylon).
- Encourage players to take a quality shot from their proper-floor-side, otherwise drifting if they are on their wrong-side.
Cradling Drill #3B: “Open Floor” Cradling & Checking

DRILL #
MINS
Variation #1 (2 min): "Defensive Footwork" (No Ball Carrier)
*left-side of diagram*
- Demo (1 min): "Defensive Footwork" (Side-Shuffle & Drop-Step)
- Divide the floor in half with an imaginary line lengthwise (or widthwise) and have players line up behind the goal-line, in opposite corners, in opposite ends of the floor.
- One player after another practices "tracking" backward, all the way down the floor (no ball carrier) at a cadence of 2 drop steps one way; 2 drop steps the other.
- The next players don’t go until the first group is halfway to the restraining line.
Most common error = not getting low while the defender is tracking backward

Variation #2 (4 min): "Footwork + Ball Carrier"
*right-side of diagram*
- Demo (1 min): "Hitch-Step," "Face-Dodge," Roll Dodge"
- Divide the floor in half with an imaginary line (or by using pylons) lengthwise and have players in opposite corners of the floor.
- The coach sends two players at a time, starting with one player on defense a few steps ahead of, and facing, the offensive player.
- The offensive player starts with the ball and zig-zags up the floor cradling at 50 percent running speed, while the defender shadows their movements defensively, using good footwork and staying balanced. Work up to 90 percent speed.
- The next players don’t go until the first group is halfway to the restraining line.
- The player on defense should be practicing back-pedaling, drop-stepping, side-shuffling, tracking, looking their “check” in the chest, staying low on the balls of their feet; while maintaining top-side positioning.
- When the ball carrier approaches the prime scoring area, the defender should get out of the way and let them take a shot on the goalie.
- Encourage players to hit the goalie with the ball on the first couple of shots.
- Most common error = not getting low while the defender is tracking backward
Transition Drill #1A: Basic Out & Up ("Get To The Middle")

DRILL #
MINS
Variation #1C (3 min): "Far-Side Pass" (Coach Passer)
*top diagram*
- Demo (1 min): "Pushing The Ball"
- Start with one line in the far-side corner, left’s and rights mixed together, in one end of the floor (facing up-floor), with a pylon 5 metres from the side-boards at around the mid-boards, on both sides.
- The first player in line cuts to the middle ahead of the play.
- The coach delivers a lead pass to the first player in line, who runs the length of the floor on breakaway.
- Additional coaches should be ready to make a second pass attempt in the far-end if the first pass is dropped

Variation #2C (3 min): "Same-Side Pass" (Coach Passer)
*bottom diagram*
- The line of players should be on the far-side only (to ingrain the habit of running away from the bench).
- The first player in line cuts from the corner around the pylon with the coach in the same line cutting to the middle with a ball and delivering a lead pass to the first player, who stays in the the outside lane, eventually running the length of the floor on a breakaway.
- Most common error = player ahead of the play not holding in the outside lane long enough (resulting in a "suicide pass")
- Water Break = 1 min
Stickwork Drill #8A: "Finishing In Front"

DRILL #
MINS
Variation #1B: "In-Tight Finish"
- Demo (1 min): "Finishing In Front"
- Players start lined up on their proper floor side crease position, with balls already in their sticks; the drill alternating from side to side each rep.
- One player from each line should be positioned facing the net, on a 45 degree angle from the near-side post, before eventually stepping towards the far-side of an imaginary goaltender, trying to shoot the ball off of the far-post and into the net.
Games Drill #19: Small-Sided Games (3 Vs. 3)

DRILL #
MINS
Variation #1: "3 Vs. 3"
- Arrange two teams equally on both sides of the restraining line, in one or both ends of the floor depending on numbers; with players facing into the defensive/offensive zone.
- On one side of the restraining line is “Team 1” and on the opposite side is “Team 2” (make more creative names if possible).
- Move the nets against the side-boards, halfway between the goal-line and restraining line.
- The first 3 players in line on each team enter the drill, starting with a face-off or loose ball. If it's a loose ball, have players enter from the defensive side, closest to the goalie.
- Shift length can be timed intervals (1 or 2 minutes)
- If at any point during the games the ball is near the restraining line, the players not in the drill should be encouraged to "bat the ball" back into play, helping establish good "flow" in the drill.
- If there are no goalies, players can shoot the ball into the open net (or off of the post) for a goal. Otherwise, a player can stand in the crease and be passed too for a goal.
Huddle

DRILL #
MINS
- Circle at centre floor
- Come up with an appropriate word, as a team, for a team cheer.
- Static stretches - in the dressing room - introduce leg routine (see link in plan notes)