Practice Planning
We all need it. We all wing it. Let's...not?
My last newsletter was a rundown for new lacrosse parents. This is a rundown for those same parents if/when they decide to take on the added responsibility of becoming a coach. You are brave souls.
Last week, I had a few parents and organizations reach out to me for a sample practice plan. Now, while I am against all forms of gatekeeping, I also understand that the practice plans that I use for my JV and Varsity guys are not going to directly translate to all age and/or skill groups.
So, I broke the structure of a solid practice into sections with different types of drills and explained why you would apply them. All practices are theoretical until you’re in them, and that’s when it all goes to hell. But if you know you’re going to be herding cats, don’t you at least want a catnip-flavored staff to gather up the strays? Sure you do.
Here is a chronological one-hour (+) practice plan you can adjust to your liking and/or level. I would start this with higher-level middle school players, although some of the principles apply to advanced grade schoolers as well. Information is information. It is not an end-all, be-all for anyone; these are just suggestions. Be sure to drop me a note if you have any questions.
START (5 mins)
Why: The kids need to loosen up, and so do you. Want to have some fun? Do the dynamics with them. But go slow, you’re old.
If you want to get a little more intense with this, you can have the group run a quick snake run around the perimeter of your field. What’s a snake run? It’s a renamed version of a popular conditioning drill in which the last player in the line sprints to the front while the line jogs in single file. After that player reaches the front, the next player in the back sprints ot the front. (Don’t Google “snake run,” it shows some really odd variations where people run like snakes, and it is weirder than you think.)
STICK WORK (15 mins)
Why: The body is warmed up, now it’s the sticks’ turn. One of the great things about lacrosse is that you can be any size or shape or whatever and still get on the field if your stick skills are advanced enough. Doing modified small group line drills is going to be as successful as the players want it to be. Hand placement is everything. A little higher up to catch, in the middle of the shaft to throw. If kids are having trouble differentiating the two, mark it with tape. All of my sticks still have a piece of tape where my passing point is, and that’s because one coach took the time to teach me why it mattered.
Quick sticks can be tough. If everyone is having trouble with it, just pair the kids up and have them toss the ball like an egg for a little bit to reinforce the soft hands you need to catch, and then transition to turning that soft catch into a toss right back.
FUNDAMENTALS (15-20 mins)
Why: Body, Stick…what comes next? That’s right, the mind. Fundamentals can be the first part and the second part of the word. You can’t win if the ball is always on the ground. So follow this guide on how ot properly pick up a groundball, and reinforce the technique with a classic: 3 on 2 groundballs. Five lines, three of which have offensive players, two have defensive players. No bodychecks, just boxouts and pickups.
Cat and Mouse dodging is better than 1 on 1’s because 1 on 1’s just reward size at youth levels. Adding another player works on how to move with a pick and thus is integral to the understanding of how other players impact dodging and defense.
Defensive roll-outs might be a little too advanced, especially if you can’t use longpoles yet for your age group. But if you do have poles, this is where you can illustrate how important it is to get away from pressure and use the length of the pole to help the throw. (The video explains it better than I do.)
You don’t even need a half field to do the Rats 3 vs. 2. If you’re limited on space, you just need 12-15 feet and emphasize the defensive position as much as the extra pass. Have it be quick, no time to dwell on mistakes, just keep going, next rep, next goal, next stop.
COMPETITION (15-20 mins)
Why: We took all that time to get everyone ready; now it’s time to battle. I mean, uh, compete. Do you know why kids always ask you to scrimmage? It’s not because they’re balls of energy that need to be released into the ether of a ref-less bout. It’s because they want to play lacrosse with their friends and have fun. The game should be fun. So when you’re walking kids through these last drills, do it once. If you see a mistake, don’t address it immediately. If the kids forget it and keep playing, that’s fine. It’s better than fine - it’s the goal of the entire practice. Let every drill flow - until it doesn’t. Then you can step in and demonstrate proper technique. Or, better yet, have one of the more advanced players do it.
We’re not actually scrimmaging, but it has the feel that we’re progressing towards that. Maybe even do a West Genny at the end if you want.
DENOUEMENT (5 mins)
Team breakdown with individual positive reinforcement (Do you really need a video, bro?)
Why: Your job is not to win games. Your job is to send kids home without tears. If you think otherwise, then you don’t belong coaching kids in the first place. Winning is a byproduct of good teaching, not an outcome to be pursued at all costs, because the true cost of being that sort of coach at the youth level is stress, burnout, and quitting.
Teach. Learn. Grow.
If you do those three things, the kids will remember you for the rest of their careers.
This LacroCity newsletter is brought to you by the first-ever Youth Attack Summit! It takes place March 24-27th via an online portal and includes three days of instruction from D-1 coaches, pro players, and industry professionals. Click here or below for your ticket to the Youth Attack Summit.
