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4A. Fundamentals - Basic Skills Assessment

Equipment Needed: Open Wall/Field Space or Outdoor/Indoor Lacrosse Box, Lacrosse Balls, Nets, Duct Tape, Universal Screw Driver, Zip Ties, Helmets & Gloves, Sticks, Pylons, Whistle, Name Tags, Sharpie

Level = Beginner

*Note - Goalies Are Not Recommended (3x3 Nets Are Recommended For Players Under 8 Years Old)*

Pre-Practice (15 min - Optional):
- Introductions + Ice-Breaker Activity + Practice Overview

Reminders:

- Land Acknowledgement
- Recognize the importance of the standardization of each drill (needs to be the same pre & post test)
- Coaches explain each drill for 30 seconds max without breaking down the technical aspects of the skill being tested
- Players (or ideally coaches/evaluators) fill out their Skills Tracking Sheets using the honour system

TOTAL ESTIMATED TIME:

MINS

Loose Ball Drill #1A: Stationary Loose Balls ("Scooping")

DRILL #
MINS
Variation #1A: "Stationary Loose Ball"
- Put players in partners, with one ball for each pairing, standing 5 metres away from each other, using pylons to mark the distance.
- The partner with the ball puts it on the ground beside them while the other partner takes 5 running steps before scooping up the ball.
- This partner then runs with the ball back to where they started, giving their partner the same opportunity to pick up a stationary loose ball.
- A successful rep is when a player picks it up (scoops it) all in one motion.
- Keep track of successful reps out of 10.
Stickwork Drill #3: Loose Balls On-The-Run

DRILL #
MINS
Variation #1C: "Dynamic Loose Balls"
- 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.
- Coaches then stand by the side-boards at both sides of centre-floor and roll a loose ball to the first player in both lines as they run forward.
- Standardize the direction the loose ball is rolled into the drill, preferably nice and smoothly, and somewhat perpendicular to the oncoming player.
- A successful rep is when a player picks it up (scoops it) all in one motion. Players may finish with a breakaway shot on net (for fun).
- Switch which corners the players are starting from halfway through the drill (i.e. after players have 5 reps complete). This forces players to scoop half of the balls with their stick to the middle of the floor versus on the board-side.
- Keep track of successful reps out of 10.
- Water Break = 1 min
Warm Up Drill #3: Board Shuttles

DRILL #
MINS
Variation #1B: "Stationary Passing"
- Have players line up in groups of 3 to 5 players, facing the side-boards (or a wall) 10 metres away (marked with a pylon), with a 30cm x 30cm square target taped on the wall.
- The first player in line starts with a ball. This player passes the ball at the target, then gets out of the way of the rebounding ball.
- The next player in line corrals the loose ball and repeats the same action, as does the next player in line, and so on and so forth.
- A successful rep is when the player passes against the wall and the ball hits the tape or anywhere inside the square
- Coaches should be ready with extra balls.
- Keep track of successful reps out of 10.
Stickwork Drill #2: Stationary "Partner Passing"

DRILL #
MINS
Variation #1: "Stationary Catching"
- Players are lined up in pairs, 7-10 metres apart (depending on age), marked with pylons. Partners pass back and forth counting the number of successful catches.
- If the pass is UNCATCHABLE (i.e. opposite side of the players body than that which they are holding the stick; below their waist or high above their head), extra attempts may be allowed at the coaches discretion.
- Players can use their hands to underhand pass the ball if required.
- Coaches should be ready with extra balls.
- Keep track of successful reps out of 10.
- Water Break = 1 min
Stickwork Drill #2: Partner Passing

DRILL #
MINS
Variation #3A: "Dynamic Passing" (Passer Only)
- Players are lined up in pairs, 10-15 metres apart (depending on age), marked with pylons. With one ball per pairing, the ball carrier makes a short run forward before passing the ball to their partner. If the pass touches the partner’s stick then it is to be deemed a successful repetition (unless UNCATCHABLE - see previous drill).
- The original passer backpedals back to where they started (marked by pylons) and with their partner repeating the said action.
- Coaches should be ready with extra balls.
- Keep track of successful reps out of 10.
Stickwork Drill #3: Catching On-The-Run

DRILL #
MINS
Variation #1B: "Dynamic Catching"
- Coaches divide the floor in half lengthwise with pylons; two lines starting in opposite corners (opposite ends).
- Coaches stand by the side-boards at both sides of centre-floor, with a large pile of balls, and as the first player in both lines run forward, they flip the ball up in the air for the player to catch while running (for a successful rep).
- Switch which corners the players are starting from halfway through the drill (i.e. after players have 5 reps complete). This forces players to catch half of the balls with their stick to the middle of the floor versus on the board-side.
- Keep track of successful reps out of 10.
- Water Break = 1 min
Warm-Up Drill #5: Semi-Circle ("Horseshoe") Shooting

DRILL #
MINS
Variation #1: “All at Once”
- Arrange players into five lines at the 5 standard offensive positions (marked with pylons), on their proper floor sides, in one or both ends of the floor.
- From 10 metres away, players need to cradle the ball up and down three times before subsequently taking a crow-hop then a set-shot on net from behind the pylon in front of them (10m away from the net).
- All players shoot at the same time.
- Players rotate lines after each shot, rotating between the crease, shooter and point position on their proper floor side.
- A successful rep is if the player doesn’t drop the ball and hits the net with their shot.
- Keep track of successful reps out of 10.
Cradling Drill #3A: Cradling & Shooting On-The-Run

DRILL #
MINS
Variation #1: "Speed & Agility Build Up"
- The coach divides the floor in half lengthwise, with two lines in opposite ends.
- Within each half there should be a zigzag pylon formation (6 pylons - 10 metres apart). Players must cradle around the pylons (no drops) & shoot the ball into the net from 10m away for a successful rep (mark with a pylon).
- Players should be encouraged to shoot on-the-run, without checking up into a "crow-hop" (which is otherwise known as a "set-shot").
- Keep track of successful reps out of 10.
- Water Break = 1 min
Huddle

DRILL #
MINS
- Circle at centre-floor
- Debrief: On the experience
- Hand in tracking sheets: to coaches
- Come up with an appropriate word, as a team, for a team cheer.