Created by Chad Wanner- Ohio State University P.E. student Based on the Play Practice book by Alan Launder, Human Kinetics 20 tasks and progressions to teach beginning- Lacrosse Lacrosse Middle School Mittball: is using a softball glove and lacrosse ball to introduce lacrosse tactics due to the complexity of the techniques required to throw and catch using a lacrosse stick to play the game. Mittball: Throwing and catching while moving to open space. Task 1 Progression 1: 2 vs. 1 with passive defense The offensive players pass back and forth as they jog in open space from one sideline to the other sideline. The defender will remain in the middle of the two offensive players. Task 2 Progression 2: 2 vs. 2 with passive defense. The offensive players pass back and forth as they jog in open space from one sideline to the other sideline. The defender will remain two-arm lengths in front of the offensive players. Task 3 Progression 3: 2 vs. 1 Give and Go with walking defense and offensive One offensive player with a passive defender walks with the ball and then passes the ball to the off-the-ball offensive player, and then moves forward to open space to receive the pass. The defensive player who is two-arm lengths in front walks to defend positioning between the ball and the off-the-ball offensive player. Task 4 Progression 4: 2 vs. 1 Give and Go with jogging defense and offensive One offensive player with a jogging defender jogs with the ball and then passes the ball to the off-the-ball offensive player, and then moves forward to open
space to receive the pass. The defensive player who is two-arm lengths in front jogs to defend positioning between the ball and the off-the-ball offensive player. Task 5 Progression 5: 2 vs. 1 Give and Go with running defense and offensive One offensive player with a running defender runs with the ball and then passes the ball to the off-the-ball offensive player, and then moves forward to open space to receive the pass. The defensive player who is two-arm lengths in front runs to defend positioning between the ball and the off-the-ball offensive player. Mittball: Passing for depth, support and width: 2 vs. 1 passing and catching when walking, jogging and running for the offense and defense. Depth Task 6 Progression 1: Walking offense and defense The ball carrier walks forward as does the off-the-ball offensive player who is walking parallel in line with their teammate. The defender will position themselves between the two offensive players cutting off the passing line. This will force the off-the-ball offensive player to walk deep in front for the open pass and catch. Task 7 Progression 2: Jogging offense and defense The ball carrier jogs forward as does the off-the-ball offensive player who is jogging parallel in line with their teammate. The defender will position themselves between the two offensive players cutting off the passing line. This will force the off-the-ball offensive player to jog deep in front for the open pass and catch. Task 8 Progression 3: Running defense The ball carrier runs forward as does the off-the-ball offensive player who is running parallel in line with their teammate. The defender will position themselves between the two offensive players cutting off the passing line. This will force the off-the-ball offensive player to run deep in front for the open pass and catch.
Support Task 9 Progression 1: Walking offense and defense The defender will walk towards the offense to position in front of the offensive player with the ball cutting off the passing line for depth of the off-the-ball offensive player. This will force the off-the-ball offensive player to walk backwards for support for the open pass and catch. Task 10 Progression 2: Jogging offense and defense The defender will jog towards the offense to position in front of the offensive player with the ball cutting off the passing line for depth of the off-the-ball offensive player. This will force the off-the-ball offensive player to jog backwards for support for the open pass and catch. Task 11 Progression 3: Running offense and defense The defender will run towards the offense to position in front of the offensive player with the ball cutting off the passing line for depth of the off-the-ball offensive player. This will force the off-the-ball offensive player to run backwards for support for the open pass and catch. Width Task 12 Progression 1: Walking offense and defense The offensive players will start in a close formation about five yards apart parallel from each other. The defender will walk towards the offense to position in front of the offensive player with the ball cutting off the passing line for depth of the offthe-ball offensive player. This will force the off-the-ball offensive player to walk wide for the open pass and catch.
Task 13 Progression 2: Jogging offense and defense The offensive players will start in a close formation about five yards apart parallel from each other. The defender will jog towards the offense to position in front of the offensive player with the ball cutting off the passing line for depth of the offthe-ball offensive player. This will force the off-the-ball offensive player to jog wide for the open pass and catch. Task 14 Progression 3: Running offense and defense The offensive players will start in a close formation about five yards apart parallel from each other. The defender will run towards the offense to position in front of the offensive player with the ball cutting off the passing line for depth of the offthe-ball offensive player. This will force the off-the-ball offensive player to run wide for the open pass and catch. Mittball keep away game: Offensive team with advantage to work on getting to open space for catching and passing Task 15 Progression 1: 5 vs. 3 Running offense and defense The offensive team attempts to complete 10 passes in a row without the defense intercepting, running out of bounce or getting the ball intercept by the defense. Task 16 Progression 2: 5 vs. 4 Running offense and defense The offensive team attempts to complete 10 passes in a row without the defense intercepting, running out of bounce or getting the ball intercept by the defense. Mittball: Go-for-goal Mini Games Task 17 Progression 1: 3 vs. 1 This game works on fast breaks and for the offensive team to spread out in open space Offensive team will start at the midline. The defender will be position 5 yards in front of the goal at the start. The offensive team will run down the field while throwing and catching in open space while the defender attempts for the ball.
Task 18 Progression 2: 3 vs. 2 This game works on fast breaks and for the offensive team to spread out in open space and defensive team to communicate and position correctly Offensive team will start at the midline. The defender will be position 5 yards in front of the goal at the start. The offensive team will run down the field while throwing and catching in open space while the defenders attempt for the ball. Task 19 Progression 3: 4 vs. 3 This game works on fast breaks and for the offensive team to spread out in open space and the defensive team to communicate and position correctly The defender will be position 5 yards in front of the goal at the start. The offensive team will run down the field while throwing and catching in open space while the defenders attempt for the ball. Task 20 Progression 4: 5 vs. 5 Mittball Irish lacrosse game: In this game the lacrosse goals are turn outward not inward. This game forces the attackers and defense to play behind the goal which is a new concept for many in invasion games. A full field game of lacrosse played. Each team with have five players. The lacrosse goals with be facing outward. First to five with no goalies wins the game. The Next tasks would involve introducing grippers Velcro-covered flat gloves, before using a lacrosse stick.