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Defensive Stance and Breakdown

Get into a low, balanced stance with your stick out in front.

By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026

Set up

Sprint 5 yards to a cone and break down into short choppy steps.

Core: Jogs. Beat your own run of steady shadows.

Ages
7 and up
Time
8 min
Players
Just you
Space
Gym or court
Bring
Lacrosse stick, 4 cones
Level · skill
Beginner · Defense

The steps

How it works

  1. Sprint 5 yards to a cone and break down into short choppy steps.
  2. Hold your stick out, top hand at chest height.
  3. Shuffle 3 yards each way.
  4. Do 10 reps.

Coaching point

Hips low, stick in the passing lane.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Shadow game: stay between your partner and the goal with your stick in a good spot, with no checking. Swap often.

Challenge

Pick a level: Less (partner walks), Core (jogs), More (changes direction). Beat your own run of steady shadows.

Story

You are a castle guard holding the bridge.

My best

Beat your own count

Beat your own run of steady shadows. Only your own number counts: today against last time.

Practice makes progress

Print it now, or save it free

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