Template:Games Based Approach to Coaching Lacrosse

Games Based Approach to Coaching Lacrosse: The what, why, and how of implementing games based training, to maximize the development of all your lacrosse athletes

TJ Buchanan (World Lacrosse) - 10/21/2021

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Implementing Small Area Games

• Thought on how we coach rather than what to coach
• Replicates a part or multiple parts of the bigger game
• Typically played in a space smaller than full sized playing surface
• Requires less participants than the full game
• Ideal world, have multiple stations of small area games, and a coach moves throughout stations
• Use the term "games" instead of "drills"

Why are small area games important?

• Can maximize opportunity for participation in training sessions
• Encourage sport IQ development
• Promote sport skill development in Context
• Prepares the athlete for a variety of situations, including the unknown
• Develop creativity and decision making
• Allow the coach to provide athletes with appropriate challenge to each athlete

Drill: Have One / Need One

• Count the number of kids
• Add balls equal to half of the number of kids
• Everyone talks and says "Have one" or "Need one" - to either pass or receive a pass
• Lots of movement, try to pass or receive from a new guy

Game Design

• Rules - Dictate the actions of the athletes to arrive at a predetermined outcome
  • Give you control, to help the players get to a specific outcome
• Constraints - influence the actions of the athletes, but allow them to control the ultimate outcome
  • Help develop Lax IQ

Example of a Constraint vs a rule which might be only score in green

King of the Ring Drill

Drill: King of the Ring

• 3v3 with goals on each side (soccer circle is good size)
• Play to 5-7 goals, losing team stays on the field and plays on-deck team
• Variation: add a "bonus" area where goals are worth an extra point
• Variation: Offense must set a pick to score
• Variation: Defense must double the ball

Coaching during Small Area Games

• Provide questions not solutions to the athlete (tone is important)
  • When <blank> happened why did you <blank>?
  • When the ball got turned over in the fast break, why did you pass it to the point attackman?
  • What other options were available to you? -If no answer, coach needs to work on better scanning or just hold onto the ball
  • If you could do it again, what would you have done different?