Wall Stalkers: 4 Crafty Off-Ball Lacrosse Movement Drills with The Varsity

Lacrosse is a fast-paced sport that demands players to be quick, coordinated, and smart in their movements on the field. Off-ball movement, or the actions of players without possession of the ball, is a key aspect of the game that can often determine the outcome of a match. In this guide, we’ll dive into four crafty off-ball lacrosse movement drills using The Varsity rebounder from All Ball Pro. These drills are designed to enhance players’ positioning, timing, and decision-making skills, ultimately improving their performance on the field.

Cutting and Dodging Drill

The cutting and dodging drill is all about teaching players how to move effectively without the ball to create scoring opportunities. This drill helps players develop their agility, speed, and ability to read the field.

To set up the drill:

1. Position The Varsity Rebounder near the goal.
2. Designate a player to act as the feeder.
3. Have other players line up about 15-20 yards away from the goal.

How to run the drill:

1. The feeder starts with the ball.
2. A player from the line makes a cut towards The Varsity rebounder.
3. The feeder passes the ball to the cutting player.
4. The cutting player catches the ball, takes a shot on The Varsity, and follows through for a rebound.
5. After the shot, the player immediately makes another cut, receives a pass from the feeder, and takes another shot.
6. This process continues for 30 seconds before the next player in line takes their turn.

Key points to emphasize:

• Encourage players to use quick cuts, change direction unexpectedly, and use deceptive movements to shake off imaginary defenders.
• Practice cutting from various angles and positions on the field.
• Focus on proper catching technique while on the move.
• Stress the importance of following through after each shot to prepare for rebounds.

Variations:

• Add defensive players to increase difficulty and simulate game-like situations.
• Incorporate different types of dodges (split dodge, roll dodge, face dodge) before taking the shot.
• Change the shooting distance and angle to challenge players’ accuracy.

By mastering this drill, players will improve their ability to create space, receive passes on the move, and quickly transition into scoring positions.

Off-Ball Screening Drill

Screening is a crucial skill in lacrosse that involves using your body to shield or obstruct defenders, allowing your teammate to get open for a pass or shot. The off-ball screening drill helps players practice setting effective screens and reading the movements of defenders.

To set up the drill:

1. Position The Varsity rebounder near the goal.
2. Divide players into groups of three: a screener, a cutter, and a feeder.
3. Place a cone about 10 yards away from The Varsity to mark the starting position for the cutter.

How to run the drill:

1. The cutter starts at the cone, with the screener nearby.
2. The feeder has the ball and is positioned to the side of The Varsity.
3. On the feeder’s signal, the screener sets a screen for the cutter.
4. The cutter uses the screen to get open and receive a pass from the feeder.
5. The cutter then takes a shot on The Varsity rebounder.
6. Players rotate positions after each repetition.

Key points to emphasize:

• Proper screening technique: wide stance, low center of gravity, and arms tucked in to avoid illegal screens.
• Communication between the screener and cutter.
• Timing of the cut to maximize the effectiveness of the screen.
• Reading the defender’s position and adjusting the screen accordingly.
• Quick release on the shot after receiving the pass.

Variations:

• Add a defender to make the drill more challenging and realistic.
• Practice both on-ball and off-ball screens.
• Incorporate multiple screens in a single play.
• Vary the location of the screen (top of the key, wing, down low).

This drill will help players understand the importance of teamwork in creating scoring opportunities and improve their ability to execute effective screens in game situations.

Backdoor Cutting Drill

Backdoor cutting is a strategic off-ball movement that involves sneaking behind the defense to receive a pass and score a goal. This drill helps players practice this technique and improve their timing and awareness on the field.

To set up the drill:

1. Position The Varsity rebounder near the goal.
2. Place a cone about 15 yards away from the goal to mark the starting position for the cutter.
3. Designate a player as the passer, positioned near The Varsity.

How to run the drill:

1. The cutter starts at the cone, facing away from the goal.
2. The passer has the ball and simulates driving towards the goal.
3. As the passer drives, the cutter makes a sharp cut behind an imaginary defender towards the goal.
4. The passer quickly passes the ball to the cutting player.
5. The cutter receives the pass and takes a quick shot on The Varsity rebounder.
6. Players switch roles after a set number of repetitions.

Key points to emphasize:

• Timing of the cut: The cutter should wait for the passer to commit the imaginary defender before making the backdoor cut.
• Quick acceleration on the cut to create separation from the imaginary defender.
• Soft hands when receiving the pass to maintain control while moving at speed.
• Quick release on the shot before the imaginary defender can recover.
• Communication between the passer and cutter through verbal and non-verbal cues.

Variations:

• Add a defender to increase the challenge and realism of the drill.
• Practice backdoor cuts from different positions on the field (wing, crease, behind the goal).
• Incorporate fakes or hesitation moves before making the cut.
• Have the passer use different types of passes (overhand, sidearm, behind-the-back) to challenge the cutter’s catching abilities.

Mastering the backdoor cut will give players a powerful tool to create scoring opportunities and keep defenders off-balance.

Off-Ball Movement Awareness Drill

The off-ball movement awareness drill is designed to improve players’ understanding of their positioning and movement patterns on the field. This drill helps develop field vision, spatial awareness, and the ability to create and exploit space.

To set up the drill:

1. Set up The Varsity rebounder in a central location on the field.
2. Create a playing area approximately 20 yards by 20 yards using cones.
3. Divide players into two teams of 3-4 players each: offense and defense.

How to run the drill:

1. The offensive team starts with the ball and must maintain possession while moving without the ball to get open for passes.
2. The defensive team focuses on maintaining tight coverage and preventing scoring opportunities.
3. Offensive players can use The Varsity rebounder to pass to themselves or teammates.
4. Play continues for 2-3 minutes before switching offense and defense.

Key points to emphasize:

• Constant movement from offensive players to create passing lanes and scoring opportunities.
• Proper spacing between offensive players (about 10-12 yards apart).
• Communication among teammates, both offensive and defensive.
• Reading the movements of teammates and opponents to anticipate openings.
• Quick decision-making when receiving passes or creating space.

Variations:

• Add a shot clock to increase pressure on the offense.
• Require a certain number of passes before allowing a shot on The Varsity.
• Introduce specific offensive patterns or plays that players must execute.
• Limit the number of times The Varsity rebounder can be used in a possession.

This drill will help players develop a better understanding of off-ball movement, improve their ability to create and recognize scoring opportunities, and enhance their overall lacrosse IQ.

Incorporating these four crafty off-ball movement drills into your practice routine will significantly improve your team’s offensive capabilities. All Ball Pro Rebounders serve as an excellent tool for these drills, providing a consistent and responsive surface for passes and shots. Remember, off-ball movement is just as important as on-ball skills in lacrosse. By focusing on cutting, screening, backdoor plays, and movement awareness, players can enhance their positioning, timing, and decision-making abilities.

As you practice these drills, keep in mind that repetition and focus are key to improvement. Encourage players to stay engaged mentally throughout the drills, always looking for ways to create advantages for their team. With consistent practice, these off-ball movement skills will become second nature, allowing players to react instinctively during games.

Coaches should also use these drills as opportunities to teach players about the strategic aspects of off-ball movement. Discuss how these skills can be applied in different game situations, such as man-up or man-down scenarios, clearing the ball, or running set plays. By understanding the broader context of these skills, players will be better equipped to make smart decisions on the field.

Remember, the goal of these drills is not just to improve individual skills, but to enhance the team’s overall offensive flow and chemistry. As players become more comfortable with off-ball movement, you’ll likely see improvements in passing accuracy, shooting percentage, and overall offensive efficiency.

Lastly, don’t forget to make these drills fun and competitive. Consider incorporating small-sided games or contests that reward effective off-ball movement. This will help maintain player engagement and motivation while reinforcing the importance of these skills.

With dedicated practice and the right tools, like The Varsity Rebounder, your team can develop a dynamic and unpredictable offense that keeps defenders guessing and creates numerous scoring opportunities. So get out there, start practicing these drills, and watch your team’s off-ball movement transform your lacrosse game!