From your first cradle to your first goal — everything you need to train smarter at home.
Shop the Skill StickThe best lacrosse players in the world share one habit: they grind on their own. No team, no coach standing over them — just repetitions. Backyard training is how elite players build the muscle memory that shows up when it counts. The Skill Stick is designed specifically for this: compact enough for a driveway, tough enough for a wall, and built around the balls you already have at home.
You don't need a full gear bag to get great reps in. Here's what actually matters for backyard training.
Designed for tennis, wiffle, and foam balls — the Skill Stick is lighter and more flexible than a regulation stick, which makes it perfect for training hand-eye coordination and touch in small spaces.
Three balls, three jobs: Wiffle balls are best for outside shooting practice — they release cleanly and won't travel far on a miss, making them ideal near property or neighbors. Tennis balls are the best all-around outdoor ball — great for wall ball and all skill development, though they travel farther on a missed shot. Foam balls are for indoors only — wall ball into a couch, basement reps, living room practice. Note: wiffle balls are NOT recommended for wall ball as they don't bounce back well.
A set of 4-6 small traffic cones unlocks dozens of drill patterns. Amazon has 20-packs for under $15.
Garage doors, concrete walls, and brick walls all work. Aim for at least 4x4 feet of flat surface. Mark a target with chalk for precision work.
Start here. These drills build the foundation that everything else runs on.
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart. Hold the Skill Stick with your dominant hand near the throat, non-dominant hand at the butt. Rotate your top wrist in a smooth V-motion, keeping the ball in the pocket. Eyes up — not on the stick.
Set two cones 10 yards apart. Walk between them cradling the ball. Focus on keeping the ball in the pocket throughout your stride. Graduate to a jog once you can complete 10 passes without dropping.
Walk with the stick on your dominant side, cradle 5 times, then switch the stick to your non-dominant side and cradle 5 times. The switch happens mid-stride without stopping. This is the foundation of the cradle-and-switch dodge.
Once the basics are automatic, add complexity.
Mark 5 spots on your wall at different heights and angles. Move through the spots in order, throwing and catching at each. 10 reps per spot, both hands. This builds consistency across all delivery angles.
Set 5 cones in a straight line, 2 yards apart. Weave through them cradling. At the end cone, plant, switch hands, and weave back. Progression: walk → jog → sprint.
The Question Mark Dodge starts with a planted outside foot. Practice the footwork without the stick first: run toward a cone, plant your outside foot, roll your hips, and accelerate in the new direction. Add the stick once footwork is automatic.
Game-speed, game-situations — compressed into your backyard.
Set a cone as your 'defender.' Start 5 yards back, drive hard at the cone, execute the Question Mark footwork (outside plant, hip roll, acceleration), then finish with a simulated shot or pass. The Skill Stick's lighter weight makes the wrist snap on the finish faster — your hands will feel even quicker when you pick up your game stick.
Your non-dominant hand is your limiting factor. 60 seconds of continuous weak-hand wall ball, 30 seconds rest, repeat for 5 rounds. You will hate it. Your non-dominant hand will thank you in 3 weeks.
Roll a ball 10 yards away, sprint to it, scoop without stopping, transition directly into a cradle and finish with a shot on wall. Compete against your previous time. Ground balls decide games — train them like they matter.
No partner needed. These drills build the foundation of your game through wall ball, cradling, and footwork you can run completely alone.
100 consecutive wall ball reps — 50 dominant hand, 50 non-dominant. Use a tennis ball against any flat wall. Count out loud. If you drop, start the hand over. The goal is unbroken focus, not speed.
Set 5 cones in a line 2 yards apart. Weave through cradling with eyes up. At the end, plant and switch hands, weave back. Progress from walk to jog to sprint across sets.
Roll a tennis ball 10 yards away, sprint to it, scoop without breaking stride, transition straight into a cradle. Use a wall to finish with a pass. Compete against your own time each round.
Dominant hand behind your back. Cradle, walk the cones, do wall ball — all non-dominant only. This is uncomfortable on purpose. Your weak hand is your ceiling.
You and one other person. These drills simulate real defensive pressure and build the dodge mechanics that work in live play.
Defender stands at a cone 5 yards away. Attacker drives at them, executes a dodge (split, roll, or question mark), and finishes with a pass or shot. Rotate after every 5 reps. Use a tennis ball outside.
Small space — 5 yards square. Attacker tries to maintain possession for 30 seconds. Defender applies passive pressure (no stick checks — body position only). Swap every 30 seconds. Great for cradling under pressure.
Face your partner 3 yards apart. One leads, one mirrors every lateral movement. No sticks needed. Builds the lateral quickness and change-of-direction speed that makes dodges work. Add sticks once footwork is sharp.
Two attackers vs two defenders. Introduces passing lanes, off-ball movement, and basic pick-and-roll concepts in a compact space.
10x10 yard grid. Two attackers keep possession from two defenders. Each completed pass = 1 point. Play to 10. Forces quick decisions and teaches attackers to read defensive positioning before catching.
One attacker sets a stationary pick for their teammate driving toward a cone-goal. After the pick, roll to open space for the return pass. Defense tries to fight through or switch. Use a tennis ball outdoors.
Player A passes to Player B and immediately cuts to open space. Player B catches and returns the pass to the cutting Player A. One defender tries to deny the cut. Teaches timing, off-ball movement, and catching on the run.
Small-sided games that simulate real lacrosse in a backyard. Three on three is enough to run real plays, create mismatches, and build game-speed decision making.
Set two small cone goals 20 yards apart. Play 3v3 with the Skill Stick and a tennis ball. Standard lacrosse rules — no checking, possession resets on a goal. First to 5 wins. This IS the practice.
Three players on the corners of a triangle 8 yards apart. Pass clockwise for 1 minute, then switch to counterclockwise. Then random — passer calls the receiver's name before throwing. Builds catch-and-release speed and communication.
3 attackers vs 2 defenders running a fast break drill toward a cone goal. Attackers must complete 2 passes before shooting. Defense must communicate and choose who to mark. Rotate one defender out after each rep.
Structure your practice so every session builds on the last.
The Skill Stick is built for exactly this — compact, durable, and designed around the balls you already have at home.
GET YOUR SKILL STICKLast updated: 2026-03-19 · v1.1.0