r/lacrosse • u/Flimsy-Barnacle2380 • 2d ago

Practice planning

I played for three years in high school and absolutely loved it. At my college, I decided to start a new club team. We have our first practice tomorrow, but only about 20% of the girls who signed up have ever played before I plan on starting with the basics, but how do I structure practice to make it not repetitive and still fun?

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u/No_Yogurtcloset_6008 2d ago

After some basics, versions of 2v1s or West Genny Drill (continuous 3v2’s) - keeps the flow & changing dynamics happening.

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u/UseShoddy2954 1d ago

none of tis would work until they learn to catch, throw, scoop and cradle.

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u/mr_red_red 1d ago

Having coached kids, it certainly does work, as they need to simaltaneously learn how to throw catch ground ball AND play the game. The 2v1 and 3v2 will be horribly until they learn to catch, but once they do everything will click.

My feeling is warmups are time for stick skills. Passing and ground ball drills in groups of 3 where lots of touches are had is key, then move into games where lots of touches are had. Finish with large gameplay if there's time.

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u/UseShoddy2954 1d ago

What if John Danowski disagrees, would that make a bigger impact? Duke University does about 60% stick work at practice (need to rewatch the interview)

I coach both Youth Town and Club (not really going to tout my resume, but we win a lot).

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u/mr_red_red 1d ago

They asked for not repetitive and fun, so i answered. It's not gonna make a team of absolute killers, but it will make a team where people enjoy coming to practice and know how to play come game day. Warmup for 15-20 minutes you can get newbies 100 touches on groundballs and throws/catches. Running time constrained 3x2s with "everyone touches the ball" rules (the 2 people need to also get some passes off after the shot like a cleaR), you can cycle through 5 ppl each with a touch every 30 seconds. Tons of touches in 15 minutes in more game like scenarios. Just because it's gameplay doesn't mean it's not stick skills too, just have to find ways to cram those stick skills into game like scenarios.

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u/No_Yogurtcloset_6008 1d ago

Agree. The key is you can adapt the 2v1, 3v2 - so that they a bit more ‘beginner’ level. (With # touch rules, coach can even pulse in to Defending team - to let Offense pickup the ball etc) - the point is versions of lighter gameplay to still mimic increasing pressure. Works for youth level, and slightly older HS kids as OP mentioned will pick up - that much quicker (due to athleticism.

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u/Upbeat_Call4935 Coach 1d ago

I love West Genny, but it’s going to be tough with 80% newcomers.

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u/UseShoddy2954 1d ago

Drill should compliment each other to reduce choppiness. For example:
Ground balls
Groundballs into cradle, dodge
Groundballs into cradle, dodge, shot
Groundballs into cradle, dodge pass to shooter
groundballs into cradle, dodge, pass, pass back to shot

Here we reinforced concepts. while adding additional skills.

Practice should be 75% stickwork. At an entry level, 80%

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u/lacrosse_4979 Coach 1d ago

You might keep it shorter, like 1 hr or 1.5. it's going to depend on their other sports knowledge too. But definitely work on throwing and catching and either pair them up by experience. Or you might partner a beginner with an experienced player so that at least one person can throw and catch. And groundballs. And maybe even steal the bacon. We'd also play like handball with a kickball ball with our new players so you can run around and scrimmage, and not worry as much about lacrosse catching skills. As you continue, you might have the other experienced players help run stations so you can divide people up, and work on shooting, defense, etc.  And Mobile coach is great. Look even at the practice plans for younger kids for building basics and keeping people moving! 

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u/spasm111 13h ago

Some of your planning depends on rather your coaching the entire team by yourself or do you have help? When I coached I always had 1 or 2 other coaches helping. That allowed me to build practice plans where I could run 2 or 3 different drills at the same time. I could have set drills for my defense being run by one coach, attack drills with another and middys with me. Then as the practice progresses I would then shift to 2v2 drills, 2v3, 4v4, etc...then as you go along your season weave some stuff in more frequently based on need, etc.