WK 8
PRACTICE #1
Introduction to Lacrosse + Basic Movement
PRACTICE GOALS
Introduce lacrosse in a fun, fast-paced way
Build early confidence with stick handling and movement
Keep groups small (max 4 per line) to minimize standing
Leave every kid smiling and wanting to come back
NO pads. NO contact. NO helmets needed at this stage.
Important. 3-5 kids per cone line. Do not have kids waiting around or waiting in lines.
Maximum Touches
0:00–0:15 | WARM-UP CIRCUIT (STATIONS OR ROTATING LINES)
Get everyone in a circle.
“Lacrosse is about moving fast and having fun. Before we use our sticks, we learn how to move like athletes.”
Show:
Stand with your feet a little wider than your shoulders.
Bend your knees like you’re about to jump.
Keep your chest up and eyes forward.
Hands ready like you’re about to catch something.
What to say to kids:
“This is called athletic stance. You’re like a superhero ready to move in any direction!”
Do 3 quick checks:
Lightly push their shoulder from the front, side, and back — can they stay balanced?
Call “left!” or “right!” — do they step that way quickly?
After 10 bunny hops, can they still stand strong?
0:10–0:25 | MOVEMENT WARM-UP
4 kids max in each line. Set up:
4 cones in a line, 3 big steps apart
A square of cones 10 big steps on each side
• Tiny Feet Sprint Drill
Using the 4 cones in a line
Say: “We’re going move our feet fast, in tiny steps between these cones, then when I say ‘GO!’ you sprint as fast as you can!”
Show them once — quick tiny steps to each cone with tiny steps, circle around each cone, on final 4th cone, then a burst sprint, then get back into a line. Each kid does it 2-3 times.
• Change of Direction Square
Using the 4 cones on a square
Say: “We’ll run the sides of this square. When you get to a corner, plant your foot and cut around the cone” Show them. Sprint forward to one cone, then sideways shuffle to another cone, then backwards shuffle to another cone, then sideways shuffle to another cone, then sprint to the beginning cone.
Each kid runs the square twice in a row as fast as they can.
• Juke the Coach
You jog slowly toward them, they cut left or right at last second.
Say: “When I come at you, show me your best move!” Each kid does it twice.
Then you try and run and tag them. If you tag them, they sit down.
• Balance Hops
Kids get in a parallel line.
Say: “Everybody hop like a bunny as far as you can. Let’s see if you can stick the landing.” You’re out in front and they follow you.
They hop with both feet, and land with two feet. Then they do it where they jump hop with two feet and land on one foot. Rotate the one foot landed each hop. Then Hop with one foot, and land with one foot.
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FOR EXPERIENCED 1ST GRADERS WHO KNOW HOW TO CATCH & THROW, HAVE THEM PAIR UP IN TWO’S OR THREE’S & PLAY PASS. IF THEY ARE 1ST GRADERS AND YOU NOTICE THEY STILL NEED TO LEARN THE BASICS, HAVE THEM JOIN YOU.
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0:25–0:40 | INTRO STICK SKILLS + KINETIC CHAIN
No ball at first.
Say: “Lacrosse throws use your whole body, not just your arms. Watch me.”
Show:
Standing sideways
Front foot steps and point towards target
Rotate hips toward target
Your arms follow after hips
Push with strong hand, pull with off hand, and point toward target
Each kid does 5 slow and 5 fast reps.
Now with tennis ball:
Pair up 10 feet apart.
Say: “Soft toss, catch, and pass using your whole body like we just practiced!”
20 - 30 attempts
0:40–0:50 | GROUND BALL FUN
Say: “Now let’s practice scooping the ball off the ground and running fast!”
• 1v1 GB Race
Set up:
2 cones set next to each other so kids stand stand behind each cone. Max 3-5 kids per cone line, so set up multiple stations.
Set the goal far away so kids have to sprint to the goal, about 50-60 feet away from the cones.
Two kids line up behind each cone. Toss ball between them about 20-30 out in front.
Say: “When I say GO — scoop it up and run and score in the goal!”
3 reps each.
• Scoop + Burst
Set up 3-5 lines of cones for kids to stand behind
Roll ball to each kid — they scoop and run shoot into goal.
5 reps each.
• Relay
Set up:
Set up 3-5 lines of cones for 3-5 teams.
Set up 3-5 other cones about 20 feet away so each line has a cone to run around
Place a ball in the middle of the two cones of each line, so the first kid can scoop
First person in the line scoops and runs around the cone, then rolls the ball to his teammate waiting in the line. Then that teammate scoops and does the same.
2 rounds.
0:50–1:05 | APPLES VS BANANAS MINI GAME
Set up:
Small field about 15 by 10 yards
Mini goals or cones as goals
Use tennis balls
Make 2 teams (Apples vs Bananas).
Rules: Must pass once before shooting.
One goalie if you want — rotate kids.
Say: “Work together — move to open space — pass before you shoot!”
1:05–1:15 | SPEED AND AGILITY FINISHER
Ladder or cones in a line.
3 patterns:
2 feet in each space
Side in, side out
Hopscotch
Each kid goes twice.
Final relay:
Sprint to cone, scoop, sprint back.
Do twice.
1:15–1:25 | SHARKS AND MINNOWS
Set up:
Large area for running
2 end lines of cones for safe zone
No pads, Sharks try and wack the ball out of the minnows stick
Say: “Minnows — get across the field cradling your ball. Sharks — try to wack the ball from them!”
If ball falls out, they become sharks.
1:25–1:30 | COOL DOWN
Circle up. Ask:
“Who showed their fastest feet today? Who had the best scoop?”
Big cheer:
“1-2-3 WASATCH!”
Always demo first — just show them once or twice.
Keep it fun — praise effort, not perfection.
Don’t stress about technique details at this age — get them moving, smiling, and trying.
PRACTICE #2
Ground Ball Confidence + Intro Cradling + Athletic Movement
NO pads. NO contact. NO helmets needed at this stage.
Important. 3-5 kids per cone line. Do not have kids waiting around or waiting in lines.
PRACTICE GOALS
Reinforce ground ball technique: low body, scoop clean, run out
Continue teaching athletic movement and fast feet
Introduce slow, basic cradling on the move
Keep reps high (goal: 200+ touches)
No pads, no helmets, no contact
Max 3-4 per line — no long lines, no standing
0:00–0:10 | TEAM HUDDLE + ATHLETIC STANCE REVIEW
Gather kids in a circle.
Say:
“We’re learning to move fast and scoop the ball up cleanly. Let’s show our athletic stance.”
Have them show:
Feet a little wider than shoulders
Knees bent
Chest up, eyes forward
Hands in front, like ready to catch
Coach tip: Walk around, give a light push on shoulders — they should stay balanced.
0:10–0:25 | MOVEMENT & AGILITY STATIONS
Set up 3 stations. Rotate kids every 5 minutes.
Station 1: Ladder Quick Feet
Two feet in each rung, then in/out pattern
Focus: Fast feet, stay light
Station 2: Cone Zig-Zag Sprint
5 cones in zig-zag pattern (about 5 yards apart)
Sprint to each, plant foot, change direction
Station 3: Mirror Footwork (No Stick)
Partners face each other. One leads, other mirrors side-to-side and forward/back
Coach tip: Demo each station once before starting.
0:25–0:50 | HIGH-REP GROUND BALL DRILLS
1v1 Ground Ball Race
Two kids start even. Ball out front.
On coach whistle, race to scoop and run to cone 10 yards away.
No contact.
Coach-Rolled Ground Balls (Individual)
Coach rolls soft ball or tennis ball.
Kid scoops cleanly, runs to finish cone.
Focus: Low hips, back hand low, scoop through, run out fast.
5 reps per kid, rotate fast.
0:50–1:10 | INTRO CRADLING (STATIC + SIMPLE MOVEMENT)
Static Cradle Practice
Circle up.
Coach shows how to rock the stick side-to-side (like rocking a baby).
Kids practice standing in place.
Walk Cradling
Walk slowly in straight line while cradling.
Focus: Keep head of stick upright, ball stays in.
1:10–1:25 | SMALL-SIDED GAME: 3V3 TENNIS BALL LAX
Set up small field (~15x10 yards).
Rules:
Must complete one pass before shooting
Use mini goals or cones as goal markers
Rotate players every couple minutes
Focus: Scoop clean, look up, move to space, pass and shoot.
1:25–1:30 | HUDDLE + TEAM CHEER
Ask:
“Who showed great hustle today? Who had a great scoop?”
Cheer:
“1-2-3 WASATCH!”