Any Lacrosse Players Here? (1 Viewer)

[Man in the yellow hat]

My kids just starting getting involved in the sport last year, so we're currently on our second season. One son plays at the U13 level, the other at U9. 

I'm helping to coach the U9 level right now, and it is interesting. I came into this sport completely new. 

Any tips, videos, or drills you really liked that we could implement at U9? Any recommendation on what we should be stressing at U9 level? We're finding tips and drills online, but I'm really interested to hear from someone that has played as to what really helped them the most.

 

[AcerFC]

I played a million years ago in High School and coached for 10 years at the middle school level

Have the U9 kid get on a wall or bounceback and start working on using both hands. It doesnt even really mattter at that age if he catches any balls. Just get him in the habit of using both hands. Im starting to work on that with my son who is 7 since he can thrown pretty accurately with his left. 

The single best thing for any player at any age is to catch and throw consistently. The rest just comes. Keep things simple. Work on one dodge per week and really make sure that they are doing it correctly. Start with the easiest (Face Dodge) and work up to Split Dodge. Do spin in between. 

The standard drills work like line drills and man ball

Try to play small sided games so everyone gets in on the action. 

But mostly have fun and work on catching and throwing. Lacrosse is a perfect sport to pick up late. Some of my best players were very athletic kids who got cut from other sports. The learning curve is very small.

 

[AcerFC]

These are great shooting drills

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLymobCBIpNxYoIQllppNPDPY3SQFXTAro

 

[Man in the yellow hat]

Thanks Acer.

 

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At a young level ball-on-ground skills are critical and, IMO, under-practiced. It's going to be down there a good bit. Cleanly scooping a ball on the run will make you valuable in it's own right.