Skill Development for U-11(grades 3 & 4):

As a youth program we are looking to introduce the game of lacrosse with a philosophy of teaching skills through positive reinforcement while introducing fun and engaging games and drills.

At the end of the U-11 season we hope to accomplish the following:

  1. Players have been taught the basic skills of:
  • Throwing, catchingon strong and weak side
  • Scooping ground balls on both strong and weak side.
  • Cradling, strong and weak side
  • Practices should include drills that help teach and promote the development of these skills. As coaches we need to work to correct weak techniques/skills, but I believe in limited intervention, just giving them a friendly reminder of how to perform the skill properly. It has been my experience, that with time, the girls often learn to master a skill with out much intervention.
  1. Players have a basic understanding of thefield positions (Attack, Midfield and Defense).
  • They should play Attack, Midfield and defense in each game and they should learn where to line up on the field.
  • Players should be introduced on how to start the game with a draw.
  • Since a coach can be on the field during games at this level, coaches can coach during the game. The player should learn the job of the Attack, Midfield and defense positions.
  1. Players should understand the basic rules of the game:
  • Notto cover the ball on a scoop.
  • To stop when the whistle blows.
  • Out of bound rules
  • Crease violations.
  • They must make 3 attempted passes before they can shoot (youth rule only).
  • Start to learn the significance of the 8 meter arc area.
  • 7 inch bubble around the head
  1. Players shouldunderstand what it means to play defense and marking their opponents.
  1. On attack, the player has an understanding about getting to free space without their defender so they are free to catch the ball.
  1. The player has learned good sportsmanship. The players are expected to be courteous to the officials, their coaches and other players.
  1. The player has learned to work with their team-mates and they have been encouraged to pass to the open player even if the other player doesn’t always catch the ball.
  1. Vocabulary: Draw, groundball/scoop, weak side, strong side, 8 meter, crease, center circle, boundaries, shooting, passing, marking, 7inch bubble, goal side, free space, covering the ball, scooping through, cradle
  1. Most of all it should be fun!

Each player is different and brings their unique strengths and weaknesses to this game. It is not easy to succeed in teaching every player everything listed above, rather it is a goal. You can remind parents that it is difficult to prepare the girls properly for games if they don’t come to practice on a regular basis.

Practices:

  • Practices usually have duration of an hour to an hour and half.
  • The players should always start practice with a light jog and polymeric exercised.
  • Coaches should prepare a practice plan. There is a sample practice plan at the end of the document.
  • Practices should move a long, don’t spend too long on one drill. Throw in some games or relay races as necessary.
  • Players should always wear their goggles and mouth guards at practice and in games. They should not participate in practice without them. Injuries have occurred just throwing the ball around before practice. Girls are not allowed to wear any jewelry during games.
  • I try to incorporate some team building activities such as circle time, name games
  • Always remember to give quick water breaks, especially when it is hot.

Game Coaching at the U11 Level:

  • U11 coaches are allowed to be on the field coaching during a game. You can discuss this with the opposing coach prior to the game.
  • Teams can play 8v8 on half the field. This is usually decided by the home team and visiting team coaches prior to the game.
  • Girls at the U11 level should try playing each position on the field each game. In every/most games they should play at Attack, Midfield and Defense during the course of the game.They don’t need to play all seven positions, just one of each type.
  • Everyone who wants to try goaltending should get a chance. You may need to play up the importance of the position to get girls to play. I have oftenrewarded those who volunteer to play goalie with their choice of position for the next game.
  • You can devise a substitution format that you feel is best for your team. An example of a method that the U11 boys use during a game is as follows:

Player Substitution

  • Defense, Midfield, Attack on the field at the start of the game. At some predetermined time the players from the sideline go into the defense positions, defense players move to the midfield, the midfield players move to attack and the attack players come out. Obviously if you have 7 field players there would be a variation on this method.

NOTE: You don’t need to use the format above, you can devise your ownmethod but you need to have a system that moves them around into different positions for as equal amounts of time as is possible, unless someone gets tired or has a reason to be taken out of the game.

  • Please ask parents to volunteer to help for games. They can help with substitutions or timing or dealing with disgruntled, sick/injured, whining players on the sideline. It is also good for parents to see the effort that goes into game day tasks.

Game organization

1.I usually have a roster with the substitutions for each position prior to the start of the game. You should know which players will be at the game ahead of time.

I often set some goals for the team. I have a team goal listed that applies to the whole team. For example, the team goal may be to get more ground balls than the other team.

I also have a goal for the Attack (perhaps it is, getting to an open space without your defender), a goal for the Midfield and Defense. At the younger ages, it might be easier to have only a couple of goals.

The form I use it as the end of this document. U-ll coaches will need to modify it for the 8v8 format which is usually 2 Attack players, 3 midfield players, 2 defenders and a goalie.

2.I try to remind each player about their goal before they enter the game.

3.It is helpful to have a parent keeping track of time andletting the coach know when 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes have gone by in the half help with when you make substitutions.

4.While one coach can coach the players who are on the field, the other coach can coach the players on the sidelines preparing them to play when they get on the field.

Game Roster template:

Game Roster

Position / Group 1 / Group 2
Attack 1
Closest to goal / Write in players name here / Write in players name here
Attack 2
(Midfield)
(Midfield)
(Midfield)
Defense 2
Defense 1
Closest to goal
Goal

Out for the Game: List players who aren’t going to be at the game that day

Team Goals:Example: Ground balls, communication

Attack Notes: Example: Cutting through the 8 meter Arc (don’t stand). Cutting to the free space

Midfield Notes: Example: Watch the restraining line, force players to the weak side, and look for the open player

Defense Notes:Mark your player, stay goal side.

Sample Practice Plan:

5:30 - light jog/plyometrics

5:45 – Cradle tag game

5:55 – scooping – One partner is a bridge an the other partner scoops the ball under the bridge.

6:10- water break – literally give them 1 minute for a water break

6:11– Throwing and catching stationary, and on the move, play the keep away game. Give yourself time to explain the drill.

6:30 – Water break – no more than a minute

6:31 – Shooting/challenge game

6:40– relay races with stick in their hands, rock/tree/bridge

6:55-7:00 – Stretch – you can also use this time to talk to the girls about team issues

Note: These times are approximations and are meant as a guild. You will get better with times as you go along.