Pursuit Speed Drill
Speed & Acceleration
Legend
- player
- defender
- ball
- movement path
How it works
Develop game-speed pursuit acceleration by chasing a ball carrier from behind across 40 yards.
What you need
- lacrosse stick
- lacrosse ball
- goal
Your focus
Pursuit speed , accelerating from behind to catch a faster or head-start opponent , is a specific acceleration demand in lacrosse defense. Training this pattern builds the speed endurance and closing speed defenders need to prevent fast break goals.
Ball carrier starts 5 yards ahead of the defender at midfield.
Both sprint toward the goal at maximum speed on 'go.'
Defender's goal: close to within one stick-length by the 40-yard mark.
If the defender closes the gap, they attempt a check. If not, ball carrier gets the shot. Run 6 reps.
Goal
You're there when you close the 40-yard gap and get a stick on the carrier or force them out of bounds, pursuit speed turned a sure goal into a stop.
Helpful cues
- Drive your knees up higher in pursuit, it accelerates your stride frequency
- Don't run directly behind; cut the angle to close the gap faster
- Last 10 yards: everything you have left, this is where you catch them
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Reduce head start to 2 yards; give the defender a realistic chance.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Ball carrier can cut in any direction at the 20-yard mark; defender must change direction and continue pursuit.No account needed
Build a practice plan
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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.