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The “Mule” Lacrosse Drill, Like They Run it at Pfeiffer
Jason Lange, Pfeiffer
In our recent podcast with a new coach for us, I was impressed on many levels. We love lacrosse drills that touch on a number of fundamentals and ‘multi-tasking’ and Coach Jason Lange delivered some great concepts I had not heard before…
The dialog was around ground ball drills when Coach Lange offered up this unique twist that offers ground ball work, and so so much more. Yes — It is a GB drill, a 4V4 lacrosse drill, but most unique is the “lock off” work to get open aspect. They call it the “Mule Drill” credit to former assistant Mike Horowitz and his days as a player at Muhlenberg with Coach Bissinger.
So we start with an offensive and a defensive player in each of the four corners of the box. In the case of Pfeiffer they have one black penny, one gold penny in each corner. The coach rolls a ground ball to any of the four corners, and those two players compete for the ground ball. The player who gains possession of the ground ball as well as the three others in the same colored penny — are now on offense. The player from the 1V1 GB who did not gain possession, as well as his three teammates in that color are now playing defense… (pretty standard so far right?)[private]
Here comes the twist… For example, let’s say that the players in gold gained possession and we are now playing 4V4. The three other players in the black pennies (off ball) are not attempting to “shut off” the other three gold pennied players, in essence “locking them off.” This is now forcing those players in gold pennies to work extremely hard to get open. It may be “V” cuts, it may be picks on or off ball depending on the style of your offense.
The element that makes the lacrosse drill even more unique is the ‘rule’ that the four players (gold) who gained possession have to each touch the ball before anyone can go to the cage. Thus, while players are locked off and moving to get open, every offensive player in the rep must touch before they can play.
I receive a lot of emails from coaches in season after a team has “locked off” their best offensive player, with questions on how to attack this philosophy offensively. And although you may have a strategy, (picks, 1-4-1, etc) there is no substitute for integrating all of this into a unique lacrosse drill.
For me, if it drags on too long, blow the whistle and start with a new set of four gold pennies and four black.
Options
I believe this is a great drill to run with the entire team split evenly. Let the attack perhaps see some defense (especially experience and reps locking off,) and if a pole captures the GB, let them play a little offense.
Or – you might spilt your team offensively an defensively in pennies, and have some fun that way…
Or – You could integrate offensive aspects into the drill. For example for the players to get a ‘touch’ they need to receive the ball off of an off ball pick, or perhaps a pick and slip, or pick and roll… it is a great way to also work on ‘pick’ fundamentals offensively and defensively.
I love it! I am sure Coach Lange explains this better than I did, just click here if you have four minutes and all Free Members can listen to Coach Lange run through the ‘Mule Lacrosse Drill’ in his own words, for all Free Members
Again, special thanks to our great friends at Krossover for helping to make all of this possible, check them out, I love the product!
Love to get your comments below, mike@laxcoachmike.com
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August 21st, 2015 at 8:04 am
Also sounds like a great way to teach on ball pressure and dealing with on ball pressure to get your hands free to pass.
November 20th, 2015 at 7:17 am
I love this drill and use it often in the girls game (at Guilford HS). We throw in a twist, whereby the 1v1 girl who does not get the ball drops out of the play and does an endline sprint and then recovers, leaving a 4V3 for a short time. We might require an “apache” to X before driving to the cage, etc…. I first learned this drill from Coach Shea at Yale. It is a perfect for getting the players moving on an early AM practice, or works well indoors in tight quarters.
November 21st, 2015 at 6:26 am
Great Feedback!!! Thanks!! laxcoachmike