A Practical Guide to Coaching Beginners in Lacrosse

Coaching beginners in lacrosse across the South West is one of the most rewarding jobs in grassroots sport. Whether you are running a session at a club in Cornwall, a school in Devon, or a community pitch in Bristol, the first few weeks shape whether newcomers stick with the game. Your job is not to produce polished players overnight. It is to build confidence, teach the core skills cleanly, and get everyone moving with a stick in their hands. Here is a practical guide to passing, catching, scooping, and the basic rules, with simple drills that work for mixed-ability groups.

Start With the Grip, Stance and Cradling

Before anyone throws a ball, get the fundamentals right. Ask players to hold the stick with the dominant hand at the bottom of the shaft and the other hand near the middle. The grip should be firm but relaxed, not white-knuckled. Feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, stick held up and in front of the body. Cradling is the next step: small wrist rotations that keep the ball settled in the pocket. A simple drill is the cradle walk. Set out cones twenty metres apart. Players walk from cone to cone, cradling the ball, keeping their heads up. Progress to a light jog. If the ball drops, they scoop it up and carry on. This builds muscle memory without the pressure of passing.

Passing and Catching Without the Fear

Passing comes before catching for most beginners, because it is easier to control. Teach the overhand pass: step with the opposite foot, rotate the hips, and follow through towards the target. The stick should finish pointing at the receiver's chest. Catching is where nerves appear. Tell players to show a target with their hands up, then give with the ball as it arrives. Soft hands, not a rigid stick. Start with soft balls or tennis balls to reduce flinching. A reliable drill is partner passing at five metres. One ball between two. Pass, catch, pass back. After ten clean catches, take one step back. Add movement by having players jog lightly while passing. Keep the focus on accuracy, not speed.

Scooping Ground Balls Without the Panic

The most common mistake is bending at the waist and jabbing the stick at the ball. Correct technique is simple: bend the knees, keep the back straight, and get the stick low and parallel to the ground. Push through the ball, not at it. The stick should scoop the ball in one smooth motion. Drill this with scoop and go. Roll a ball out five metres. A player runs, scoops, and continues for another five metres before passing. For a competitive edge, try ground ball relays. Two teams, cones set out, balls scattered. Players scoop one ball at a time and drop it in a bucket. No pushing or contact. Speed and technique win.

The Only Rules Beginners Need to Know

You do not need to explain offside traps or restraining lines in week one. Keep it to four rules that keep everyone safe and the game flowing. First, no contact and no stick checking until players have been properly coached. Second, no hitting with the stick or body. Third, if the ball goes out of bounds, possession goes to the other team. Fourth, players cannot step into the goal crease, except the goalkeeper. On a foul, the ball is given to the other team and everyone stands five metres away. That is enough to play small-sided games. Add more rules later, once confidence grows.

Simple Drills That Build Confidence Fast

• Three versus one keep away: three attackers pass the ball, one defender tries to intercept. No checking. Rotate every minute.
• End zone ball: teams pass only, no running with the ball, score by catching a pass in the end zone.
• Scoop and shoot: players scoop a ground ball, then take a shot on goal from close range.
• Passing relays: teams race to complete ten passes without a drop.

These drills keep everyone involved, and they replicate game movements without the chaos of a full match. Praise effort loudly, correct one thing at a time, and stop the drill if it breaks down.

Moving From Drills to Small-Sided Games

When players can pass, catch, and scoop with reasonable consistency, introduce three versus three or four versus four on a half pitch. Use conditioned rules: every player must touch the ball before a shot, or two passes must be completed before scoring. This encourages teamwork rather than solo runs. If you have a goalkeeper, great. If not, use a small goal or cones. Finish every session with ten to fifteen minutes of game play. Keep sessions to sixty or seventy-five minutes. Over four weeks, spend one week on passing, one on catching, one on scooping, and one on small games. Be patient, demonstrate clearly, and use simple language. The South West has a growing lacrosse community, and your beginners are its future. Give them the basics and the confidence to enjoy the game.