Soft Lacrosse On-the-Run Passing and Switching Hands

A soft lacrosse passing-and-catching progression on the run in groups of three, switching between the dominant and non-dominant hand on each pass. Students work on hand-eye coordination, cradling on the move, and keeping play flowing.

How to play

1. Use cones to mark lanes 30 m (about 33 yd) long and 10 m wide; form groups of three, each student with a stick and one ball per group.
2. Trip 1, 3 minutes: the three jog side by side, 5 m apart, passing the ball across with the dominant hand on top; walk back at the end of the lane.
3. Trip 2, 4 minutes: same, but the receiver cradles twice and passes with the other hand, switching hand positions on the stick.
4. Trip 3, 4 minutes: run the lane as a weave, so the passer runs behind the receiver and takes their spot.
5. Challenge, 6 minutes: each group counts completed passes in one 30 m trip without dropping the ball; a non-dominant-hand pass counts 2. Each group tries to beat its own record in three attempts.

Rules

• Pass to the receiver's shoulder height, never at the face.
• Lanes are at least 3 m (10 ft) apart, and students walk back on the outside.
• No one swings a stick over a classmate's head.

Variations

Adaptations

• A student who uses a wheelchair can be the middle passer of the group, moving at their own pace while the other two run.
• For students with low vision, use bright balls and shorten the spacing to 3 m.
• Students with less coordination can use only the dominant hand for the first two trips.

Learning goals

• Pass and catch with the stick on the run.
• Use the non-dominant hand with confidence.
• Keep passes flowing while moving.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Soft lacrosse sticks: 25
• Soft balls: 12
• Cones: 20

Teacher tip

The common error is dropping the stick head to catch; ask students to show the pocket up as a target. Keep spare balls at each lane so you do not lose time.

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