box drills for little ones

[Canadian Lax]

Hey Guys,

I'm gunna be coaching 2 house league teams this year, the kids are are from 5-7 on one team....and 8-10 on another. I'm having a hard time trying to think up drills for the kids b/c i know little kids do not have a long attention span....i need to teach the basics and make it fun...and for it to be simple most of these kids have never played before. Any ideas???

Thanks Guys

[nylax90]

just have them play catch and do ground balls and stuff. just basic things

[marflax33]

well first off, get them all in the circle w/ you in the middle and show them how to cradle. you wont be able to do anything until they learn that. Than u can be creative. Just make stuff up like passing speed drills (devide them into groups of 5 maybe and spread them out 5-10 yards apart) the first team to pass the ball all the way down their line and back wins sodas or candy bars or something like that.

[Rock]

My first year was brutal. This was when they still allowed the gaunlet in tyke (dont ask me WHY). But yes, anything but the gauntlet because that will just hurt them and turn them off of lacrosse.

Shoot outs at the end of practice make it all worth while :agree:

[RockStar]

.....Shoot outs at the end of practice make it all worth while :agree:

Kids love 'em! Great for the last five minutes of practice, and actually useful training for fast-breaks.

For a fun variation on the shootout:

As a shooter lines up for a run at the goal, have all of the other kids break into two lines. One line is for those who think the shooter will score, and one for those that like the goalie's chances better. The kids that are wrong have to run!

[laxgoalieking]

have them do a shuutle- 2 lines facing eachother 1 player starts with ball and runs toward the player at the begining of the other line and throws him the ball this continues untill they reach a certain, like start with 10 then move up gradualy.

another good one is give each kid a ball have them stabd in a semi- circle around the crease about to the 24 foot line and have them shoot one after the other, and you xcan switch whcih lends starts and then alter nate sides like left, right,left, right, left, right etc.... and after each player shoots have them brake to the red line.

[Rock]

Ahh yes the good old gamble. Thats always a nice way to get a run in without it seeming like your the bad guy.

[KnightsLAXDad]

Here's a couple of quick ones:

- tape ballons on the glass and use them as shooting targets

- do the same thing with the ballons but in the corners of the nets if you don't have a goalie

- get them to do things without their sticks to emphasize movement first

- use a ball (basketball, whatever) to do position and passing drills first. Even
the best drills come apart when the kids start missing passes etc, or they
are so wrapped up in passing/catching they forget about where they are
moving

- turn regular drills in relay races and competitions one line against the other, but I would caution against making the "losers" doing pushups or running. Too
much negative reinforcement for that age.

- have pass-catch in pairs and see who can go the longest without dropping
or missing it

- my kids loved to play british bulldog at the end of practices. You can make
a few variations on it, straight "tag", cradling a ball etc

- do the drills too, don't just maker the kids do it and the kids will respect you
more.

- at that age and skill, it's all about loose balls, throw & catch, and move.
Always emphasize proper overhand shooting and accuracy before power.

Good luck!

[Hooligan]

have them do a shuutle- 2 lines facing eachother 1 player starts with ball and runs toward the player at the begining of the other line and throws him the ball this continues untill they reach a certain, like start with 10 then move up gradualy.

another good one is give each kid a ball have them stabd in a semi- circle around the crease about to the 24 foot line and have them shoot one after the other, and you xcan switch whcih lends starts and then alter nate sides like left, right,left, right, left, right etc.... and after each player shoots have them brake to the red line.
Off topic...but you need to cut down on the cough syrup LGC! That was almost illegible... :chuckle:

[Canadian Lax]

thanks for all the tips guys.....i will definitly try the balloon thing

[laxgoalieking]

Off topic...but you need to cut down on the cough syrup LGC! That was almost illegible... :chuckle:
hey buckles is the best thing that ever happened to me!:rofl:

and ur the one that misspelled my ennitials(SP)

[KnightsLAXDad]

thanks for all the tips guys.....i will definitly try the balloon thing

They love that one for sure. It's exciting for them to come close, and if they hit it or better yet knock it off woo hoo. Occasionally "coach" would have to run a lap if anyone could knock it off the glass.

[Hooligan]

and ur the one that misspelled my ennitials(SP)
Don't sass your elders, or I'll teach you some respect! lol :nahya: