Coaching a team of first-year U10 players is less about strategy and more about reps, fun, and keeping every kid moving with a stick in their hands. At this age, USA Lacrosse’s youth model prioritizes skill development over winning, which means your practice plan should look very different from a high school session.
This guide walks through a simple, repeatable practice structure built for 8-to-10-year-olds who are new to the game, plus the core drills, safety basics, and common mistakes to avoid so your athletes leave every session a little more confident with a stick in their hands.
Quick Answer
A good U10 practice for beginners runs 60-75 minutes and rotates through short, high-repetition blocks: a stick-skills warm-up (cradling, wall ball-style tosses), partner passing and catching, a ground ball station, one simple 1v1 or small-sided game, and a fun finish. Keep every drill under 10-12 minutes, keep lines short, and prioritize touches over standing around.
A Sample 70-Minute Practice Plan
Start with a 10-minute stick-skills warm-up. Have players cradle while jogging, then pair up for close-range catch and throw. This gets sticks in hands immediately instead of making kids run laps first.
Move into 10-12 minutes of partner passing and catching, gradually increasing distance. For true first-year players, it’s fine to let some pairs start with an underhand toss and progress to overhand throws once the grip and footwork look comfortable.
Next, run a 10-minute ground ball station. Roll or toss balls for players to scoop while bending their knees and keeping their stick low, then protect the ball with their body as they run it out. Ground balls are one of the highest-value skills at this age because they come up constantly in games.
Spend 10-15 minutes on a basic 1v1 or small-sided drill (2v1 or 3v2) so players start learning spacing, dodging, and defensive positioning in a game-like but low-pressure setting. Keep groups small so no one waits long for a turn.
Close with 10-15 minutes of a fun, competitive small-sided game (3v3 or 4v4 on a shortened field) so players apply what they just practiced. End with a short water break and a quick, positive recap of one or two things the team did well.
Skills and Safety Rules to Know for U10
USA Lacrosse’s youth rules for 10U are built around the Lacrosse Athlete Development Model, which emphasizes age-appropriate skill building over full-contact play. At the U10 level, full body checking is not allowed, though limited incidental contact can occur; coaches should teach players to play the ball, not the body.
Stick checks for boys at this age must be two-handed and directed below the shoulders — one-handed checks are treated as a foul regardless of intent, so drilling proper two-handed poke and lift checks early prevents bad habits and penalties later. Girls’ youth rules similarly emphasize limited or no checking depending on your league’s age bracket, so confirm the current rulebook for your specific division before the season starts.
Because rules and field/roster formats (players per side, field size, shot clock use) can vary slightly by league and update year to year, always check your league’s current age-bracket rulebook or your state chapter’s guidelines before the first practice, rather than assuming last year’s format still applies.
Tips / Common Mistakes
Don’t run drills with long lines. First-year players lose interest fast if they’re waiting more than a minute for a turn — split into small groups or stations with 4-6 kids each so touches stay high.
Don’t over-coach mechanics in the first few weeks. Focus on cradling, catching, throwing, and scooping ground balls before layering in dodges or defensive slides — trying to teach too much at once overwhelms beginners.
Avoid full scrimmages too early. Small-sided games (2v2, 3v3) give far more touches per player than a full 10v10, which is what actually builds skill at this stage.
Keep instructions short and demonstrate rather than explain at length — young kids learn faster by copying a quick demo than by listening to a long verbal breakdown.
Encourage wall ball as homework. A player with a stick, a ball, and a wall can get more solo reps in 15 minutes than an entire team practice provides, and it’s the single best way for beginners to build stick feel between sessions.
End every practice on a positive, high-energy note (a game or a fun contest) so kids look forward to coming back.
Explore more: More youth coaching guides.
U10 Lacrosse Practice Plan FAQs
How long should a U10 lacrosse practice be?
Around 60-75 minutes is typical for first-year players. Younger, newer athletes lose focus in longer sessions, so shorter, high-rep blocks work better than long, drawn-out drills.
Is body checking allowed in U10 lacrosse?
No. At the 10U level, full body checking is not permitted under USA Lacrosse youth rules, though limited incidental contact can happen during normal play. Stick checks (for boys) must be two-handed and below the shoulders.
What’s the single best drill for a first-year lacrosse player?
Wall ball. It’s a simple, solo drill that builds catching, throwing accuracy, and stick feel with far more repetitions than a team drill can offer, and it works well as a take-home practice habit between team sessions.
How many kids should be in a drill group at once?
Aim for small groups of 4-6 players per station or line so everyone gets frequent touches instead of standing around waiting for a turn.
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