V-Cut to Open Space

Positioning

12 minutesbeginnerindividualphysical

Legend

player
cones
ball
movement path

How it works

Learn the fundamental V-cut footwork pattern used to shake a defender and get open on the field.

What you need

cones
lacrosse stick

Your focus

The V-cut is the most common way to create separation in lacrosse. Doing it solo lets a player drill the plant-and-burst mechanics without the distraction of reading a defender, building the movement pattern into muscle memory.

Place 2 cones: one at mid-left and one at upper-mid-right of your space.

Start at the bottom-center with your stick. Walk through the V-cut first: drive hard toward the left cone (wrong direction), plant your outside foot, then burst to the right cone (open space).

At speed: sell the wrong-direction cut before planting and bursting to open space.

Imagine the ball arriving at the moment you reach the second cone, hands ready.

Complete 5 reps to each side, alternating which cone is the fake and which is the target.

Goal

You've got it when your plant-and-burst feels sharp and automatic, no extra stuttering steps before you change direction.

Helpful cues

Sell the fake, take two full steps in the wrong direction
Plant off your outside foot, not your inside
Burst out of the cut like you're stealing a step on the defender
Hands up at the second cone, catch ready

Adjust the challenge

Make it easier

Strip it back

Walk through the pattern slowly before adding speed. Mark your plant foot spot with a small cone.

UpLVL it

Add the next challenge

Add a time constraint, complete the full V-cut in under 3 seconds. Or hold your stick in one hand and work catching position on arrival.

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.

After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.