Give and Go vs. Keep and Go
Decision-Making
Legend
- player
- defender
- coach / parent
- ball
How it works
Decide whether to pass and cut or hold and drive based on defender gap space.
What you need
- lacrosse stick
- lacrosse ball
- cones
- goal
Your focus
The give-and-go vs. keep-and-go decision is a foundational two-player game concept. Training this decision builds the situational awareness to exploit defensive gaps rather than defaulting to one action style.
Two offensive players set up in a two-player game situation.
A single defender positions between them.
If defender follows the ball, passer cuts and gets it back (give and go). If defender sags off, ball carrier drives (keep and go).
Run 10 reps with the defender randomly choosing their assignment.
Goal
Success is making the correct keep-or-give decision at least 4 out of 5 times and generating a quality opportunity from it, not just avoiding a turnover.
Helpful cues
- Watch the defender's first step, it tells you everything
- Pass and move immediately, don't wait to see what happens
- If you're not sure, give and go, cutting is rarely wrong
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Defender moves very slowly; give players extra time to read.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Two defenders added, forcing a read on a full two-player game scenario.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.