"Mouse and Cat" Lacrosse Drill for Boys

Initial Setup:

• Players line up in alternating positions: Mouse (O) and Cat (X), forming an XOXO pattern.

• A moderate distance in front of the line, place two cone circles large enough for the players to practice changing direction while handling their lacrosse sticks.

Action:

• At the whistle, the attacking player (Mouse, O) begins running around the cones in a figure 8 pattern while carrying his lacrosse stick with the ball in the pocket. The focus is on maintaining ball control while changing directions and increasing speed.

• The defending player (Cat, X) starts with his stick and runs after the Mouse, attempting to close the distance and perform legal checks to disrupt the Mouse’s progress before he crosses the finish line.

Player Objectives:

• The Mouse’s goal is to complete the figure 8 pattern with the ball in the pocket and cross the finish line without dropping the ball or getting checked.

• The Cat’s goal is to catch up, apply pressure, and attempt to dislodge the ball with legal stick checks before the Mouse crosses the line, improving defensive timing and stick-checking skills.

Role Switch:

• After each round, players switch roles. The Cat becomes the Mouse, and the Mouse becomes the Cat.

Male Lacrosse-Specific Variations:

• For more advanced players, you can add an element where the Mouse must perform a dodge (e.g., split dodge or roll dodge) around the cones while maintaining control of the ball.

• Alternatively, allow the Cat to start slightly behind the Mouse to simulate a more realistic defensive recovery situation where the defender has to catch up before applying checks.

Focus on Key Skill Development:

• This drill improves the attacker’s ability to handle the ball under pressure and evade defenders while enhancing the defender's skills in closing down space, applying checks, and timing their defensive actions.

This version is tailored for boys' lacrosse, focusing on both offensive ball-handling skills and defensive stick-checking techniques, while maintaining a competitive edge.