3-on-2 10-Pass Drill from the NLL!
This is a great practice drill we adapted from something we saw at training camp for one of the NLL teams last year. We added extra players to use it outdoors to improve stick skills, game situations, and conditioning!
This drill is great for working on both stick skills and game situations at the same time. You can use it for both indoor and outdoor practices. Give your players extra work catching and throwing PLUS numbers-advantage situations at both goals, all in the same rep!
Box Lacrosse players have a reputation for attacking the goal quickly and for scoring in tight spaces. There's a very simple reason- Canadian and Box coaches tend to go more directly into dodging and finishing drills and 2-on-1 situations, instead of spending tons of time on Line Drills.
- RELATED: Check out this 2-on-1 5-Pass Drill we saw at NLL Training Camp last year.
Here's THE DRILL:
Split players evenly into two teams. Set up two goals 40 yards apart on the restraining lines.
- If you want to really work the fitness and conditioning aspect, place your goals in their normal places inside the crease. This will make your players run roughly goal-line-to-goal-line sprints each rep of the drill.
Figure 1.) Start with 5 players from each team on either side of the field on Goal Line Extended (GLE). Make a small circle or trapezoid shape.
Put three players on GLE and the other two players standing 5 to 10 yards apart in front of them, with all five players facing each other.
PRACTICE TIPS:
- Stay spread out. Attackers should keep a 5- to 10-yard distance to pull the Defender out and create space in front of the goal for open teammates.
- "Play Defense from inside out." Teach your Defenders to stay in the "Hole" to cover the middle of the field. Step out to stop the ball, then Recover quickly to the middle to help. The Goalies should be communicating when to "Hold!" and when to "Go!" stop the ball.
- Keep the intensity up! Inject some competitiveness into your practice by keeping time and keeping score for each game. The losing team should do some full-field sprints, hill sprints, Up Downs, Push Ups, etc. Invite the winners to get in some conditioning too!
- Make sure that all players are getting a chance to play both sides, Offense and Defense, which is crucial to developing well-rounded athletes.
RELATED PRACTICE DRILLS:
- 2-on-1 5-Pass Drill: This is the original drill we saw at NLL Training Camp last year.
- 2-on-1 Crossover Drill: Another NLL drill we saw this year, practice some different ways to move the ball, and imitate game situations.
- 3-on-2 from the Sideline: This is another really simple 3-on-2 drill that we got from working at one of the NCAA DI summer camps last year.
- 3-on-2 "West Gennies": Another Classic. If your players understand the 2-on-1, try this 3-on-2 drill for more reps and more challenge.
For youth teams all the way up to the Pros, this fast-paced, high-intensity indoor/outdoor drill is great for ever player. Try it at your practice and let us know what you think!
