Also known as indoor lacrosse, box lacrosse is a fun, fast-paced sport growing in the United States. Played inside a walled sports-rink, box lacrosse involves six players on the floor (five runners and one goaltender) who rotate on and off the floor to try and score on the opponent’s goal.
Box lacrosse is a popular sport with an interesting history, and to remain competitive, it’s important to regularly practice common skills. These skills can be honed in a number of box lacrosse drills. This blog will provide you with an overview of box lacrosse drills to keep your team active.
How Does Box Lacrosse Work?
Box lacrosse is a game that is similar to field lacrosse but with its own set of rules. To play, you’ll need enough players suited up and with the right equipment. Each player must have the appropriate jersey, gear, and box lacrosse stick. Please be aware that there are certain upper body protective pads used in box lacrosse that are not typically used with field lacrosse. The team with the most goals wins the game, but please remember that there are other rules to consider.
For example, box lacrosse uses the shot clock. So, the attacking team has to take a shot on goal within 30 seconds of possession. On top of that, they have to advance from their own defensive end to the middle of the floor within 10 seconds. Box lacrosse starts with face-offs to start the period and whenever the ball goes out of play; and there are also penalties for aggressive tactics.
Getting Started With Box Lacrosse
Here are some tips for getting started with box lacrosse:
What Is Cradling In Lacrosse?
Lacrosse is played with sticks with a small net at the end capable of catching a hard rubber ball. Box lacrosse goals are smaller than typical field lacrosse goals. When a player throws the ball to a teammate, the receiving player needs to be prepared to line the ball up with their stick, and then twist their stick the right way (so the hole is facing up) and at the right time (as the ball is passing into the net) so that the ball stays in the stick and does not bounce back out. This plus when you carry the ball in your stick is known as cradling and is very common in the sport of lacrosse.
How Do You Practice Ground Balls In Lacrosse?
In addition to catching balls in midair, players may have to scoop a ball up off the ground. Also known as ground balls, these can be tricky to capture since the ball can hit a bump on the ground and change direction. Practicing ground balls is key and can be easily done with a pick-up drill like the bowling pick-up, line drill, or steal the bacon.
What Are Some Drills For Box Lacrosse?
Common drills for box lacrosse include playing catch against the wall, bowling pick-ups, rapid fire shooting, and the wall ball drill. These drills will keep your lacrosse skill up to par and ensure you’re well prepared for the different techniques required in this sport.
Types of Box Lacrosse Drills
In addition to these passing and cradling drills, you’ll also want to practice:
- Loose Ball Drills
- Individual Offense and Defense Drills
- Fast-Break Drills
- Goaltender Drills
Here are some passing and cradling drills:
Passing Drills
The key to box lacrosse is passing to your teammate. You want to do it well so that the other team does not steal the ball. Consider these easy passing drills to stay consistent:
- Line drills: Two lines of players face each other. The first person in the line has the ball and throws it to the other player leading the other line. Once you throw the ball, run to the end of the line where you threw it.
- Line drill variations: You can add a defensive element. After you pass the ball, you have to play defense on the next person. Practice underhand throws, ground balls, left-handed throws, and more.
- Squares: Squares involve four lines (A, B, C, and D) at each point on a square. Start with player A, who runs towards player B with the ball. Player B runs towards C to catch the ball from player A. Each player advances in the same direction, following the square in a clockwise direction.
- Square drill variations: You can add more than one ball, change directions mid-play, throw left-handed, or make the square smaller or larger.
Cradling Drills
Cradling is key to catching the ball and keeping possession. Practice these cradling drills to stay on your game:
- Against the wall: Stand with your back against the wall and cradle. Move your stick to each side of the wall without dropping the ball.
- Obstacles: Set up obstacles that each player has to weave through. Do this with a line of 10 players positioned 4 yards apart. Players with a ball have to run around each player while keeping the ball in their net.
- Pivot points: A simple drill, pivot points forces athletes to stop with one foot on the ground. To turn around, they have to twist their body and foot but they cannot move that planted foot. Practicing your pivot points in any drill is a great idea because they can help you shake a defender because your speed and direction change so quickly.
Advanced Drills for Box Lacrosse Teams
In addition to individual skill building, you’ll want to practice some offensive team plays.
- Mammoth Shooting Drill: To focus on break away shooting and exchanging through the box, set up for the mammoth drill. Load up balls in off bench orders and put the coaches and players on the benches.
- Head Man Passing Box Drill: This drill will work on getting the ball out of your defensive zone and help with teamwork passing. The idea of this drill is to have sets of players coming down the field, making passes, and shooting on goal. Set up with two lines on the net, two on the boards. This drill uses multiple passing patterns (headman – headman, headman – trailer, and another headman – trailer). These different patterns allow players to work on catching over the shoulder and communication.
- Salmon Bellies Slip Shooting Drill: A simple shooting drill, salmon bellies emphasize slipping after picking up the ball. Set up in two lines facing each other. The first player runs over and picks the opposing player. The opposing player slips past, and finds the ball, which will be the second player at his opposing line. These slip drills help both slipping and picking.
Prepare Your Team for Box Lacrosse Season
Are you excited for the lax season? Get your team ready for this next season with premium box lacrosse boards. We at Sport Resource Group sell the highest quality box lacrosse field boards, fitted for full-sized and professional board systems. Smaller rinks can also be used for training purposes.
Our boards are portable, so even a larger rink can be easily packed into a 40 foot storage container to be stored over winter. These boards can be stored at any temperature, keeping your panels intact and ready to go come the first day of the season. Use these boards as both a temporary or permanent set up, with add on options like netting, flooring, and more.
Have questions? Contact us today.