8 Box Lacrosse Drills for Passing, Picks and Tight-Space Play

Good box lacrosse drills should resemble pieces of the indoor game: short passing lanes, pressure around the hands, traffic near the crease and quick decisions after possession changes. The eight drills below progress from ball control to opposed play. They work best for players who can already catch and pass safely; for beginners, shorten the distances and delay adding defenders.

Under the World Lacrosse 2026–2028 box rules, a full team has six players on the floor and the team in possession must shoot on goal within 30 seconds. Those rules govern World Lacrosse competition; national governing bodies may adapt them, so use your competition’s contact, equipment and age-group rules (World Lacrosse box rules).

1. Moving catch-and-protect circuit

Setup: Put players in groups of three. One passer stands near the boards, one near the middle and one moves between them. Keep the passes about 5–8 yards long.

Action: The moving player shows a target, catches while moving, turns their body between an imaginary defender and the stick, then passes to the other feeder. Work for 30 seconds before rotating. Run the circuit in both directions and use both hands.

Checkpoint: The receiver’s feet and head turn before the ball arrives. Look for soft hands, immediate stick protection and a pass released without drifting into the boards.

Progression: Add a shadow defender who applies controlled stick pressure without body contact.

2. Scoop, seal and outlet

Setup: Make groups of three with one attacker, one defender and an outlet player 5 yards away. Start in open floor rather than beside the boards.

Action: Roll a loose ball between the two contestants. The player who gains inside position scoops through it, turns away from pressure and finds the outlet. The other player applies controlled pressure without contact to the head or neck or a drive toward the boards.

Checkpoint: Get the feet beside the ball before lowering the stick. After the scoop, protect and make an accurate outlet instead of adding unnecessary cradles.

Progression: Have the outlet move into an open passing lane instead of waiting at a cone.

3. Give-and-go to the middle

Setup: Place a passer at the point and lines in both corners. A corner player starts with the ball. Use a goalkeeper or a clearly marked shooting target.

Action: The corner passes to the point, changes speed and cuts toward the middle with the stick available. The point returns the ball for a quick shot. Alternate sides.

Checkpoint: The cutter presents the stick toward the middle of the floor. The return pass leads the cutter rather than making them stop.

Progression: Add a defender who first shadows the cutter and then plays live. Lacrosse Canada’s coaching progression introduces the give-and-go before defenders, then advances to short-pass breakouts and odd-player situations. It recommends using readiness rather than age alone to set the pace (Lacrosse Canada coaching appendix).

4. Two-pass breakout race

Setup: Put a goalkeeper or coach behind the goal with balls. Place one runner near the defensive corner, another farther up the floor and a defender at center.

Action: The near runner receives the first pass and moves the ball to the second runner. The defender enters after that catch and tries to delay the advance. The carrier can pass back or carry through pressure.

Checkpoint: Off-ball players sprint into different lanes, settle their feet and show a target. Do not let both runners occupy the same lane.

Progression: Add a recovering defender and finish as a 2-on-1 at the other end.

5. Pick, roll and replace

Setup: Use two attackers and one defender on one side of the offensive zone. One attacker starts with the ball at the point and the other starts lower, near the crease.

Action: The low attacker sets a controlled pick on the defender’s path. The carrier runs close to the picker, who then rolls toward the crease or slips into open space. After a pass or shot, both attackers replace into balanced positions.

Checkpoint: For this teaching progression, have the picker become stationary before contact. The World Lacrosse code allows a picker to be stationary or have limited mobility at the referee’s discretion, but forceful body contact, excessive cross-checking, clutching and grabbing are not permitted. Teach the exact standard used by your competition before going live (World Lacrosse box rules).

Progression: Add a second defender and require the defenders to call “stay,” “switch” or their team’s preferred coverage. For a fuller defensive progression, use these box lacrosse defensive drills.

6. Three-player motion with a guided defender

Setup: Place attackers at the point, corner and crease. Add one defender who initially walks or shadows.

Action: The attackers pass and rotate: pass, cut, then fill the open position. They should maintain three distinct levels rather than collapsing around the ball. After three passes, the defender becomes live and the offense attacks the opening.

Checkpoint: The next receiver prepares before the pass is thrown. Each off-ball player should clear space, offer a passing option or occupy the defender—not stand beside a teammate.

Progression: Build to 3-on-2. Give the offense 12 seconds to create a shot.

7. Continuous 3-on-2 transition

Setup: Start three attackers at one end with two defenders between them and the opposite goal. Keep a new attacking trio ready behind each goal line.

Action: The first group attacks 3-on-2. When the possession ends, the original defenders leave the floor, two of the three attackers stay to defend, and the waiting trio at that goal attacks in the other direction. Rotate which attackers remain so the workload is shared.

Checkpoint: Advance the ball before the defense organizes. The middle attacker carries only when both passing lanes are covered; wide players hold enough width to make a defender choose.

Progression: Require the new defenders to identify the ball and the most dangerous off-ball player aloud while recovering. For focused work on those habits, use these defenseman drills for angles, crease help and outlets.

8. Three-on-three shot-clock game

Setup: Play across one end with a goalkeeper, three attackers and three defenders. Mark a top boundary with cones. Give each possession 15 seconds and have a coach count down aloud.

Action: Play live under the team’s normal rules. A goal, save, turnover or boundary violation ends the possession. Award one point for a goal and, if useful, a bonus point for scoring after a give-and-go, legal pick or pass to the weak side.

Checkpoint: Players should recognize when they have time to move the defense and when the countdown demands a direct attack. Stop only for safety or one brief correction; let the game reveal the next teaching need.

Progression: Move to 4-on-4 or use the full 30-second international shot clock. Players new to indoor play can first review what changes from field to box lacrosse.

A 60-minute box practice plan

Time	Activity	Emphasis
0–8 minutes	Dynamic warm-up with sticks and balls	Movement, both hands, scanning
8–15 minutes	Moving catch-and-protect	Receiving under light pressure
15–22 minutes	Scoop, seal and outlet	Inside position and first pass
22–30 minutes	Give-and-go to the middle	Pass, cut and quick release
30–38 minutes	Two-pass breakout race	Spacing and transition lanes
38–46 minutes	Pick, roll and replace	Timing and legal positioning
46–53 minutes	Continuous 3-on-2	Reading an advantage at speed
53–60 minutes	Three-on-three shot-clock game	Decisions under time pressure

With a larger roster, run two stations at once to reduce time in lines. With true beginners, remove defenders, shorten passes and slow the tempo before restoring pressure. Lacrosse Canada’s development guidance calls for skills to be taught and practised with both hands while progressions are adapted to experience and readiness (Lacrosse Canada coaching appendix). Players who need more passing volume can add a controlled lacrosse wall-ball routine away from team practice.

Before the session, inspect the floor, boards, doors and goals; require the equipment mandated by the local program; and explain the permitted contact before the first opposed drill. Players should first perform each technical task under control, then add game pressure.