The best examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse

Fast-start examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse

Let’s start with what you actually came for: real, usable examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse that you can run tonight without a giant staff or fancy equipment. Think cones, a whistle, a few balls, and players who are ready to work.

These drills focus less on takeaway checks and more on body position, angles, footwork, and communication. You can layer in stick work later; positioning comes first.

1. Cone Lane Shadow Drill (footwork and angles)

If I had to pick one example of defensive positioning drill for lacrosse that every age group should run, it’s this one. It’s simple, it builds good habits, and you don’t need a full cage or even a goalie.

Set up a lane about 10–12 yards wide using cones. One player is the “offensive” player with a ball (or just cradling an imaginary ball), and one is the defender. The offensive player jogs or sprints side to side, forward, and backward inside the lane, trying to change direction and pace. The defender mirrors, staying between the attacker and the imaginary goal line behind them.

Key teaching points:

• Defenders keep their hips and shoulders square to the ball carrier.
• Maintain a stick-length distance, not crowding too close.
• Use quick, choppy steps instead of crossing feet.
• Emphasize “top foot": the foot closest to the middle of the field should stay slightly ahead to force dodges down the side.

To crank up the difficulty, have the offensive player throw in hard change-of-direction moves and spins. This is one of the best examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse because it isolates the defender’s body control without the chaos of full-field play.

2. Lane Denial Drill: Protecting the middle

When coaches talk about great team defenses, they almost always mention “protecting the middle.” This drill gives you a clean, repeatable example of defensive positioning drill for lacrosse that teaches defenders to angle ball carriers away from the middle of the field.

Use the same cone lane, but now divide it: one side is the “middle” (danger zone) and the other is the “sideline” (safer zone). The offensive player starts in the middle half of the lane and tries to get to the “middle” side cone. The defender’s job is to angle the attacker to the “sideline” half, never allowing a straight line to the middle.

Coaching cues:

• Defenders start slightly on the attacker’s top shoulder (toward the middle), not directly in front.
• Emphasize “stick to the middle, body to the sideline": stick hand and head closer to the middle of the field, body shading to push the dodge wide.
• Reinforce small adjustments, not big lunges.

This is one of those examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse that translates perfectly to live play: defenders learn that their first step and angle matter more than their check.

3. 2v2 Communication and Support Drill

Individual positioning is great, but defense falls apart when players don’t talk. This 2v2 setup is one of the best examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse that blends footwork with communication.

Set two offensive players outside the box, about 10–12 yards apart, and two defenders matched up. One coach or player acts as the feeder up top. The ball moves between the two offensive players through passes or short carries. Defenders must:

• Stay ball-side and goal-side of their matchup.
• Call out “ball” and “help” loudly.
• Show a clear help position when their man is off-ball.

Progressions:

• Start with no dodging, just passing, so defenders learn to adjust their positioning as the ball moves.
• Add one hard dodge per possession. The off-ball defender must “show” (step toward the ball to slow the dodge) without fully abandoning their own man.
• Add a small crease cone as a “no-entry” zone that defenders must protect.

Because this drill is short-sided and controlled, it gives real examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse that teach how to slide, recover, and communicate without being overwhelmed by a full 6v6 set.

4. Triangle Shell Drill (3v2 and 4v3)

The triangle shell is a classic, and for good reason. It’s one of the best examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse to teach defenders how to “shrink” and “expand” with ball movement.

Set three cones in a triangle around the outside of the arc, with three offensive players on the cones and two defenders inside the triangle. The offense passes the ball around the perimeter, and defenders adjust.

Defensive rules:

• One defender is on-ball, one is help.
• On-ball defender pressures but stays under control, forcing passes and no easy dodges.
• Help defender stays inside the triangle, splitting the two off-ball players.

Coaching focus:

• As the ball moves, defenders must talk early: “I’ve got ball,” “I’ve got two,” “You’re hot” (ready to slide).
• Defenders move on the pass, not after the catch.
• Emphasize seeing both ball and man ("head on a swivel").

Once players handle 3v2, expand to 4v3 (a classic man-down look). This gives your team real examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse that look a lot like actual game situations: rotations, slides, and recoveries under pressure.

5. Paint Protection Drill (crease and slot awareness)

Most goals in lacrosse are scored close to the crease. This drill trains defenders to treat that area like sacred ground. It’s a simple example of defensive positioning drill for lacrosse that you can run even at the end of practice when everyone’s tired.

Use the crease and a small area in front, often called the “slot” or “paint.” Place 3–4 offensive players around the outside of the arc and 2–3 defenders inside the paint.

Rules:

• Offense can only cut through or into the paint; no outside shots.
• Defenders must bump cutters, stay between their man and the goalie, and communicate switches when needed.
• Coach or feeder can throw random passes to cutters; defenders must react.

Emphasize:

• Body position first, stick checks second.
• No defender should ever be behind a cutter.
• Quick, physical but controlled contact to disrupt timing.

This drill gives some of the best examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse focused specifically on crease coverage, which is where many youth and high school defenses break down.

6. Funnel and Recover Drill (from midfield to settled defense)

Modern lacrosse in 2024–2025 is fast. Transition and early offense are huge parts of the game at every level. That means defenders must know how to sprint back, “build a wall,” and recover into proper positioning.

Set up three lines of offensive players at midfield and three lines of defenders about 10 yards inside the restraining line. On the whistle, an offensive player carries the ball toward the box, and one or two teammates fill lanes wide. Two or three defenders sprint back, trying to:

• Stop the ball early.
• Funnel the ball carrier to one side.
• Match up quickly and protect the middle.

Variations:

• Start as 3v2 to favor the offense, forcing defenders to communicate and prioritize threats.
• Progress to 4v3 or 5v4, then finish with a quick 6v6 possession.

This is one of the best examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse that blend transition defense with settled positioning. Players learn that the first few steps in transition often decide whether you give up a layup or force a reset.

7. Box Out and Re-Position Drill (ground balls and rebounds)

Defensive positioning doesn’t stop when the shot is taken. Ground balls, rebounds, and loose plays can destroy a good possession if defenders lose their spots.

Place a coach or shooter up top with a pile of balls and 3–4 offensive players around the crease. Add 3–4 defenders inside the arc. The shooter fires low shots that bounce or ricochet around the crease.

Defenders must:

• Box out nearest attackers.
• Maintain inside position on every loose ball.
• Recover to the middle after the ball is secured or cleared.

This drill gives real examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse that focus on “finishing the play"—something often overlooked. It also builds physical toughness and balance, which matter for staying healthy and avoiding awkward collisions. For additional guidance on safe contact and injury prevention, coaches can review resources from organizations like the CDC’s HEADS UP program and the Mayo Clinic’s injury prevention tips.

8. Film-Backed Positioning Walkthrough (2024–2025 trend)

A growing trend at the high school and college levels in 2024–2025 is pairing film with on-field walkthroughs. It’s not a fancy drill, but it’s one of the smartest examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse when you want players to truly understand spacing.

How to run it:

• Clip 5–10 short segments of your team’s recent games where defensive positioning broke down or worked perfectly.
• Watch one clip on a tablet or laptop on the sideline.
• Immediately walk the team onto the field and recreate the exact positions using cones and players.
• Freeze the play at key moments and ask defenders where they should be. Then run it slowly at half-speed.

This connects the dots between theory and reality. Players see themselves on film, then feel the correct angles and spacing on the field. For coaches wanting to sharpen their eye for defensive structure, the US Lacrosse (now USA Lacrosse) coaching resources offer updated drills and teaching ideas that align with current trends.

How to layer these examples into a full practice

You don’t need to run every drill in one day. Instead, build a weekly rhythm using these examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse so players see the same concepts from different angles.

A sample 90-minute practice might look like this:

• Warm-up and mobility (10–15 minutes)
• Cone Lane Shadow + Lane Denial (15–20 minutes)
• 2v2 Communication and Triangle Shell (25–30 minutes)
• Funnel and Recover into a short 6v6 segment (20–25 minutes)
• Paint Protection and Box Out to finish (10–15 minutes)

The key is repetition with purpose. Keep your coaching cues consistent: protect the middle, communicate early, move on the pass, and finish every play with proper positioning.

If you coach youth players, keep reps short and high-energy. For older players, you can stretch drills longer and add more decision-making. The best examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse are the ones your team can actually execute with focus, not the ones that look the fanciest on paper.

Coaching tips to get more out of these drills

To squeeze maximum value from these examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse, focus on a few simple coaching habits:

• Name your rules. Phrases like “stick to the middle,” “no free middle,” or “paint protection” give players mental shortcuts.
• Coach effort and communication as much as technique. A perfectly positioned defender who never talks is still a problem.
• Use short, clear feedback. Instead of long speeches, try quick cues: “Angle,” “Inside,” “See both,” “Talk early.”
• Rotate roles. Let middies and even attackmen play defense in some of these drills. It builds team understanding and improves ride/clear phases.

For overall conditioning and safe workload, especially in hot weather or during heavy practice weeks, it’s worth reviewing hydration and heat guidelines from sources like the NIH or CDC, then organizing drills and breaks accordingly.

FAQ: examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse

Q: What are some simple examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse for beginners?
For new players, start with the Cone Lane Shadow Drill and the Lane Denial Drill. Both are great examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse that teach footwork and angles without overwhelming players. Add a basic 2v2 Communication Drill once they’re comfortable moving their feet.

Q: What is an example of a drill that teaches both communication and positioning?
The 2v2 Communication and Support Drill is a strong example of defensive positioning drill for lacrosse that forces players to talk while defending. The Triangle Shell (3v2 or 4v3) is another, because defenders must constantly call out “ball,” “help,” and “I’ve got two” as they rotate.

Q: How often should I use these examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse in practice?
Most teams benefit from at least one or two positioning-focused drills in every practice. Rotate different examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse through the week so players see the same concepts (protecting the middle, sliding, recovering) in different setups.

Q: Are there good examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse that also build conditioning?
Yes. The Funnel and Recover Drill and the Box Out and Re-Position Drill both demand high-intensity sprints and physical contact while reinforcing positioning. They give you real examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse that double as conditioning without turning practice into a mindless running session.

Q: Where can I find more examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse from trusted sources?
USA Lacrosse provides updated coaching materials and drill ideas tailored to age and skill level. Pair those with basic sports safety and conditioning information from organizations like the CDC, NIH, and Mayo Clinic to keep practices safe and productive.

If you build your practice plans around these examples of defensive positioning drills for lacrosse, you’ll start to see the quiet improvements first: fewer wide-open cutters, fewer easy crease feeds, and more confident, talkative defenders. The flashy takeaway checks might still come, but the real progress shows up every time your opponents are forced into one more pass, one more dodge, and one more bad shot.