The best lacrosse players are not born with great hands. They build them one rep at a time. These 12 lacrosse drills cover the skills every youth player needs: passing, catching, shooting, ground balls, and dodging. Most need just a stick, a few balls, and a partner or a wall.
Passing and Catching Drills
1. Partner Passing Ladder
Two players start 5 yards apart and make 10 clean passes, then each takes one step back. Keep going until passes start dropping. Switch to the weak hand for the next round.
2. Triangle Passing
Three players form a triangle 10 yards apart. Pass around the triangle, catching and moving the ball quickly. Reverse direction every 10 passes.
3. Moving Line Passing
Two lines face each other. The first player passes to the opposite line and follows the pass to the back of that line. It trains passing on the move.
4. Wall Ball: Quick Stick Series
Stand 5 yards from a wall. Catch and throw in one motion, 25 times each hand. For a full routine, see our Wall Ball Routines at Home post.
Shooting Drills
5. Target Shooting
Hang targets or cones in the four corners of the goal. Shoot from 8 to 10 yards and track hits out of 20. Accuracy first, then speed. Read more in Mastering Lacrosse Shooting Accuracy.
6. Catch and Shoot
A feeder passes from behind the goal. The shooter catches and shoots in one motion. Keep the hands back and the stick high.
7. Shooting on the Run
Run across the top of the 8-meter arc, catch a pass, and shoot while moving. Rotate both directions to train both hands.
8. Shot Speed Ladder
Shoot from 12 yards with full mechanics, then step closer and add a fake. See Shot Speed vs Shot Accuracy for when to use each.
Ground Ball Drills
9. Scoop and Go
Roll a ball out. The player scoops through it with knees bent and runs 5 yards before passing. Never stop to pick it up.
10. 1v1 Ground Ball Battle
Two players race for one ball. The winner scoops, protects, and passes to a coach. Builds toughness and body position.
Dodging Drills
11. Cone Dodge Series
Set three cones in a zigzag. At each cone, run a split dodge, a face dodge, or a roll dodge, then finish with a shot.
12. 1v1 Alley Dodge
An attacker dodges a defender down the alley and finishes. The defender works on approach and footwork.
Sample 30-Minute Home Practice
- Wall ball: 10 minutes
- Ground balls: 5 minutes
- Cone dodges: 5 minutes
- Target shooting: 10 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
What are good lacrosse drills for beginners?
Partner passing, wall ball, scoop and go, and target shooting.
How often should kids practice lacrosse drills?
15 to 30 minutes, three to five times a week, beats one long session.
Want a coach to run these drills with your child? NJLT Lax Academy (grades 2 to 10) and Shoot 2 Score clinics turn these drills into real skills.
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