The best examples of examples of passing drills for lacrosse

Game-Ready Examples of Passing Drills for Lacrosse

Instead of starting with theory, let’s jump right into real examples of passing drills for lacrosse that you can run at your next practice. I’ll walk through how they work, what they teach, and easy tweaks for different skill levels.

Partner “Wall Ball Without the Wall” – A Simple Example of Daily Passing Work

If you’re looking for the simplest example of a passing drill for lacrosse, this is it: two players, one ball, 10–15 yards apart.

Players stand facing each other and pass with their dominant hand for a set time or rep count, then switch to their off hand. Add variations: quick sticks, high passes, low passes, and one‑cradle then pass. The goal is clean catches in front of the body and accurate throws to the stick head.

This might sound basic, but college programs still use it every day. The best examples of passing drills for lacrosse are often the ones players can repeat without thinking too hard about setup. You can layer in footwork—shuffling side to side, backpedaling, or closing space—so the passing feels more like live play.

Triangle Passing – One of the Best Examples of Small-Group Drills

When coaches talk about simple team concepts, triangle passing is usually near the top of their list. Three players form a triangle about 10–15 yards apart. One ball starts at any point.

Players pass around the triangle, focusing on:

• Leading the receiver
• Catching across the body
• Quick stick releases when appropriate

To make this example of a small‑group passing drill more game‑like, add a fourth player as a passive defender in the middle, then gradually increase pressure. Have the defender try to jump passing lanes while the offense keeps the ball moving.

This is one of the best examples of examples of passing drills for lacrosse that teach spacing, vision, and off‑ball movement. You can also call out patterns—"skip pass,” “reverse,” “two‑pass and cut"—to force players to think while they move the ball.

3‑Man Weave – A Classic Example of Transition Passing

The 3‑man weave is a staple in both basketball and lacrosse because it trains timing, communication, and catching on the run.

Three players start at one end of the field, spaced across the width of the restraining box. The middle player has the ball. They pass to one side, then immediately cut behind that player, filling the outside lane. The ball continues to move side‑to‑side as the players weave down the field, always passing and then cutting behind the receiver.

This is a perfect example of a passing drill that encourages players to:

• Talk early (“Here!” “One more!”)
• Catch and pass without breaking stride
• Keep their sticks in a strong position under pressure

For high school and college teams, add a shot at the end of the weave and put a time standard on it. For younger players, shorten the distance so they can stay under control.

Star Passing – One of the Best Examples for Large Groups

When you’ve got a big roster and want everyone moving at once, star passing is one of the best examples of passing drills for lacrosse that keeps the whole team engaged.

Players form a five‑point star around the crease or in the middle of the field. Assign each point a number or color. The ball starts at one point and is passed in a set pattern—usually skipping one point each time to create the star shape.

Coaches can:

• Add a second or third ball to increase difficulty
• Call out pattern changes on the fly
• Require off‑hand passes only

This drill forces players to keep their heads up, track multiple balls, and react quickly. It’s a real example of how to build communication and awareness without needing defenders.

“Y” Drill – Game-Like Examples of Passing Drills for Lacrosse Offense

Modern offenses in 2024–2025 lean heavily on two‑man games, pick‑and‑roll concepts, and quick ball reversals. The “Y” drill fits that style perfectly and gives you one of the best examples of a passing drill that looks like your actual offense.

Set three lines in a Y‑shape:

• One line up top (at the top of the box)
• Two lines on the wings

The ball starts up top. The top player passes to a wing, cuts hard toward the opposite wing, and receives a return pass. From there, they either pass back up top to the next player or feed the far wing for a shot.

Variations include:

• Adding a defender on the ball
• Turning it into a 2‑on‑1 after the second pass
• For girls’ lacrosse, emphasizing legal shooting space and timing of cuts

This is a strong example of how to blend passing mechanics with real offensive reads.

Box Passing in Tight Spaces – Real Examples for Box and Field Players

With the rise of box lacrosse influence on the field game, coaches are borrowing more tight‑space passing drills. Box passing work is one of the best examples of examples of passing drills for lacrosse that improve stick protection and quick decisions.

Use a small grid—maybe 10x10 feet—with 3–4 players and one ball. Players must:

• Keep the ball moving with quick sticks
• Use fakes to move imaginary defenders
• Catch in tight and move the ball before a “three‑count”

You can add a live defender or even two defenders to crank up the pressure. This kind of drill mirrors the traffic around the crease or in a crowded midfield scrum.

“Two‑Ball Partner Chaos” – An Underrated Example of a Focus Drill

Here’s an example of a passing drill that looks silly at first but pays off in concentration and hand‑eye coordination.

Two players stand 8–10 yards apart. Each player starts with a ball. At the same time, they pass to each other. The goal is to catch and immediately return the ball without dropping either one.

Once they can handle that rhythm, change the rules:

• One player quick sticks, the other cradles once
• One throws high, the other throws low
• Add a third ball for advanced players

This drill forces players to track multiple moving objects and stay calm under mental pressure. It’s a fun example of how to challenge experienced players without adding more contact or conditioning.

4‑Corners Passing – A Real Example That Builds Field Vision

Set four cones in a large square, 20–25 yards apart. Put a line of players at each cone. The ball starts at one corner and is passed around the square, with each passer following their pass to the next cone.

Make it more game‑like by:

• Reversing direction on the coach’s whistle
• Requiring a ground ball scoop before each pass
• Adding a “middle” player who can receive skip passes

This is one of the best examples of passing drills for lacrosse when you want to reinforce spacing, movement after the pass, and the idea of “filling” open spots on the field.

Trend Watch 2024–2025: How Modern Teams Use Passing Drills

If you watch current NCAA programs or top high‑school teams, you’ll notice a few trends that influence the best examples of passing drills for lacrosse today:

• More small‑sided work. Instead of full‑field line drills, coaches lean into 2‑on‑1, 3‑on‑2, and 4‑on‑3 situations that force quick passing under pressure.
• Box‑style concepts. Tight‑space drills and quick‑stick passing mirror box lacrosse, which has become a popular off‑season training path.
• Position‑specific passing. Defenders practice long‑pole outlets and cross‑field skips; midfielders work on transition passing; attackers focus on feeding from X and the wings.

These trends match broader ideas in sports science about decision‑making under realistic conditions. Organizations like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and CDC emphasize that sport practice should develop both physical and cognitive skills, not just repetition for its own sake. You can read more on youth sports and skill development in resources like the NIH’s youth sports research overview: https://www.nih.gov/health-information/physical-wellness/physical-activity

Building a Practice Plan Around Passing

Knowing a few examples of examples of passing drills for lacrosse is one thing; organizing them into a useful practice is another. Here’s an easy way to structure a 60–90 minute session around passing, without turning it into a boring “line drill day.”

Start with:

• Warm‑up passing: partner “wall ball without the wall,” two‑ball partner chaos

Then move into:

• Small‑group drills: triangle passing, 4‑corners passing, box passing grids

Finish with:

• Game‑like scenarios: 3‑man weave into a shot, Y‑drill with a live defender, 3‑on‑2 or 4‑on‑3 transition games

Mix in water breaks and short teaching moments so players stay focused. For younger athletes, keep reps shorter and switch drills more often; attention spans matter, and good hydration and rest are key, especially in heat. The CDC has helpful guidelines on youth sports hydration and heat safety here: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/features/extremeheat/index.html

Coaching Tips to Get More Out of These Passing Drill Examples

You can run the best examples of passing drills for lacrosse and still get poor results if the details are sloppy. A few coaching points go a long way:

• Stick position: Emphasize “throwing position” with hands away from the body and the stick head up.
• Targets: Tell players to “hit the logo” on their teammate’s chest or lead the stick head by a small margin.
• Communication: Require players to call names or use clear cues (“one more,” “left,” “time”).
• Decision‑making: Add a defender or a simple read (“If the defender jumps you, skip pass; if not, hit the next player in line”).

If you coach youth players, remember that physical literacy and confidence matter as much as perfect form. Organizations like the Aspen Institute’s Project Play and many university programs (for example, Harvard’s work on youth sport participation: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu) highlight that positive experiences in practice help kids stay in sports longer.

Adjusting Passing Drills for Different Levels

These same examples of passing drills for lacrosse can work from youth to college with a few tweaks:

• Youth (U10–U12): Shorten passing distances, slow the tempo, and celebrate successful catches as much as perfect passes.
• Middle school: Introduce off‑hand requirements and basic pressure from defenders.
• High school and above: Add time standards, live defenders, and decision‑making layers (e.g., read slides, hit the backside, or move it one more).

The drills don’t need to be fancy. The difference comes from how demanding you are about form, tempo, and focus.

FAQ: Common Questions About Passing Drill Examples

What are some simple examples of passing drills for brand-new lacrosse players?

For true beginners, start with partner passing at short distances, triangle passing with no defenders, and 4‑corners passing with walking speed only. Each example of a drill should focus on clean catches and relaxed, accurate throws before you add speed.

What is one example of a passing drill that works for both boys’ and girls’ lacrosse?

The 3‑man weave is a great example of a passing drill that fits both games. It teaches catching on the run, communication, and timing, and you can finish with a shot that respects the different crease and shooting‑space rules in boys’ and girls’ lacrosse.

How often should teams run these examples of passing drills in practice?

Most teams benefit from some form of focused passing work every practice, even if it’s just 10–15 minutes. Rotate through different examples of examples of passing drills for lacrosse during the week so players don’t zone out doing the exact same pattern every day.

Are there examples of passing drills that also build conditioning?

Yes. Star passing with multiple balls, 3‑man weave full‑field, and 4‑corners with sprints between cones all raise heart rate while sharpening stick skills. You get conditioning and skill work at the same time, which is especially helpful when practice time is limited.

Where can I learn more about safe training volume for youth lacrosse?

For broader guidance on youth sports, injury prevention, and training load, sites like the Mayo Clinic (https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle) and the CDC’s youth sports pages (https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity) offer reliable, research‑based advice that you can adapt to lacrosse.

Passing doesn’t get the highlight clips that goals do, but it’s the backbone of every good offense and every clean clear. If you keep using these real examples of passing drills for lacrosse—tweaked for your players’ age and level—you’ll see smoother possessions, fewer turnovers, and a team that actually trusts the ball instead of forcing everything one‑on‑one.