The Conshy Bulldog Girls program has organized and distinguished programs for the following school class groups:

  1. Kindergarten – This is truly just clinics and fun drills to introduce lacrosse to this age group]
  2. First and Second grade (1/2) – Very instructional with participation in a local “Ponytail league” played against other township programs
  3. Third and Fourth Grade (3/4) – This age group plays in an organized 7v7 program against other township teams. Teams are divided equally with an emphasis on ball movement (2 passes required before shooting)
  4. Fifth and Sixth grade (5/6): This is a full field 12 v 12 competition against other PAGLA township teams. Conshy typically has 2 teams. Players are placed on teams based on their skill level determined at a tryout
  5. Seventh and Eighth grade (7/8): This is a full field 12 v 12 competition against other PAGLA township teams. Conshy typically has 2 teams. Players are placed on teams based on their skill level determined at a tryout

The program is focused on developing the game of Lacrosse in the region and providing different levels of competition for the participants. We do not cut players, all participants who registered are placed on a team which aligns to their skill level. Practices are in the Spring at Plymouth Whitemarsh HS and schedules are determined by the coaching staff. Coaches are all volunteers and many of them played and/or coached at various levels. We strive to deliver a quality program at a very reasonable entry fee. Many of our players move on to play competitive High School Lacrosse at Plymouth Whitemarsh and other local Catholic and Private Schools. Several of our alumni have also gone on to successful college careers at D1 – D3 NCAA programs.

What we focus on at each level

K/1st/2nd Grade

  • Learn Cradling Motion
  • Full Cradle – right and left handed
  • Half Cradle – right and left handed
  • Switching hands while cradling (pop and drop)

These all should be mastered stationary, walking/skipping, jogging, running.

  • Stick skills – fun tricks, six step stickwork
  • Incorporate Pivoting and Dodging into Cradling
  • Split, Face, and Roll Dodges
  • Pivoting with right and left foot
  • Work from Stationary to Walking to Running
  • Ground Balls

When approaching ball, box out , put your body between you and opponent.

  • Bend Knees, Get low, Front foot should be next to the ball
  • Top hand should be at head of stick
  • Push back hand down towards ground
  • Cradle and protect your stick when coming up from picking up the ball
  • Basics of Passing
  • EYE CONTACT
  • Stationary, One handed (top hand) push up while stepping with the opposite foot and following through to partner
  • Add Bottom hand and use the same motion
  • Switch and do the same thing with Non-dominant hand
  • Basics of Catching
  • See the Ball into the shooting strings on your stick and GIVE back to your ear
  • Know to move your stick/body to where the ball is passed
  • *Start to work on Passing and Catching on the move – especially running through the catch*
  • Field positions: Attack, Midfield, Defense
  • 1v1 body positioning – force weak midfield, force wide 12 m
  • Sticks up between 10 and 2 o’clock
  • Keep feet moving aligned with the attacker’s feet
  • Settled Defense – between girl and goal
  • Offense
  • Spacing
  • Person with ball goes to goal
  • Shooting
  • Aim for the corners
  • Follow through to where you are aiming

3rd/4th Grade

All of the above and…

Players need to become more comfortable passing and catching on the move.

Run through the catch, not stopping to receive

 

Stickwork

  • Stick protection - fakes (stick and body)
  • Cradling – weakside strong
  • Passing and catching – weakside strong
  • Catching – bottom hand only
  • Switching hands on pivot and dodges

 

Introduce Game Concepts

  • Settled Attack – (girl with ball attack cage, if stopped pass and move)
  • spreading out, setting s pick/screen, 1 v 1s (incorporating dodges)
  • Settled Defense – 8 meter helping D, pressuring the Ball
  • Defensive stance in settled situation on the 8 (forcing weak and wide)
  • Stick up mirror opponents stick
  • Crease defense
  • Transition – cutting to the ball, cutting away to create space(homework cut)
  • Moving ball from defensive goal to attacking end

 

Communication

  • Need to introduce and harp on using communication during drills and games
  • Ball – when marking player with ball
  • Ball Down, - when ball is on ground
  • Got ball (yell ball down when you are going for the pick-up)
  • One Up (when asking for a pass)
  • Help (in transition or defense when you need sliding help from a teammate)
  • Competitive Ground Balls – boxing out, protecting your sticks, rolling to get strong side, 1v1, 2v1 (with pass down field to open attacker)

Introduce the position of goalie

  • Positioning in the cage, following ball with stick up
  • Stepping to the ball
  • Low Defensive Clearing

5th/6th Grade

All of the above and…

Players should be getting more comfortable passing and catching on the move, with both their dominant and non-dominant hands. Players should be able to catch all around body. Players should be incorporating fakes, stick and body movement into cradle. Players should be able to catch high one handed. Quick sticks on the move with right and left hand. Player should be able to make behind the back pass.

Seeing the field and recognizing when teammates are open immediately after receiving ball, off pivot, after a dodge and after passing ball for a give and go.

 

Continue Introducing Game Concepts:

  • Positions on field: 4 Attackers, 3 Midfielders, 4 Defenders, 1 goalie Understand who plays where on the field and below the restraining line relative to where the ball is being played.
  • Settled Attack – General guidelines, girl with ball attack cage, girls next to ball moving away to create lane for ball carrier, if attacker with ball is stopped, pass and move away. Team-mate without ball always see your teammate with the ball and watch your defender to see what they do. Stick protection – triple threat, shoulder, shoulder, ball, spreading out, cuts through the 8, picks, on and off ball, 1v1s, rolling the crease, 8 meter shots, continuous movement on attack, 2v2s, 3v3s, 3v 2s, 4v3s
  • Settled Defense – understand 8 meter, pressure ball, and all out pressure defense – sliding with each with help is called ( help left, help right), swarming the ball when in 8m arc. Understand opening up to see ball, middle, and girl. Settled around 8m - hug tree, use forearm to touch attacker, keep weight balanced and use short sliding steps when square to attacker. Knowing when and how to double team. Should understand 1st and 2nd slides, ball side. Communication – should know terms – ball, help left, help right, double, swarm, help. Non – ball side slide towards ball side.
  • Midfield defense – run with player, hug tree force weak cradle and weakside catch. Deny player ball, if she is in the position to catch, make her catch weak side. Always look to see if you are below ball, helping to get back on defense.
  • Midfield transition – players keeping lanes on field, passing the ball down field, Learning homework cuts, knowing and feeling where defender is playing you to enable you to ask for the ball away from defender.
  • Show offense and defense around crease. Attackers behind look to feed or use crease to attack the cage. Defense – do not chase behind, follow girl around in front of cage on crease. When player attempts to cut force away from cage.
  • Picks – offensive, setting a pick for team mate, how to use a pick on attack.
  • Defense, how to defend around a pick, communication on defense (pick coming)
  • Banana and Asparagus clearing cuts, understanding 3 seconds and shooting space, defensive positioning for 8 meter shots
  • Transition – scanning the field, looking opposite, double-teaming in the midfield, sliding to ball once the ball carrier has passed your girl, defense & attack communicating 4 staying back over the restraining line
  • Draw – pushing/pull motion of the player taking the draw, running onto the circle, realizing where the ball is going and arranging yourself on the circle in strategic positioning (boxing out)
  • Restraining line rules and positioning on draw
  • Communication should be used and understood by all players
  • Game Sense – Understanding the game of Lacrosse. Passing the ball downfield to create a fast break situation to go to goal and find open player to score. If fast break is stopped set up settled attack. Defense mentality is to get ball, double and go on attack.

7th/8th Grade

All of the above and…

  • Players need to be comfortable passing and catching accurately with both their dominant and non-dominant hands.
  • Continue to develop Game Concepts and Game Sense in players
  • Attack – players should be able to realize and take advantage of one up or fast break situations, basic offensive plays should be taught and used in game situations. Motion on attack should always be occurring in a settled situation. Shooting accurately on the move, faking before shooting.
  • Midfield – Execute doubles in the midfield, creating space in order to cut back for the ball, understanding the importance of scanning and passing the ball opposite (shifting the defense).
  • Defense – Denying cuts into the 8 meter, defense positioning again plays (iso, stack, etc), Loud and effective communication resulting in turnovers, interceptions and goalie saves
  • Game Sense needs to be developed and seen during the game with all players on the field.