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5-on-5 Defensive Positioning Drill

WITH Matt Francis 

| Lehigh University

In this conference session, Matt Francis of Lehigh Lacrosse breaks down a five-on-five drill designed to reinforce team defensive positioning, communication, and off-ball responsibilities.

 

Key takeaways include:

  • A five-on-five setup with the offense in a 2-1-2 formation and a coned-off crease to simulate the paint

  • Players sprinting into the paint before reacting to the ball and establishing their defensive roles

  • Identifying the on-ball defender, top-down fill, and plug to maintain proper team positioning

  • Using ball movement to create repeated opportunities to assess defensive alignment, posture, and communication

  • Positioning sliders with their backs to the ball-side sideline to improve visibility and enable more effective communication

  • Keeping a foot in the paint, staying ready to slide, and providing support for adjacent defenders when needed

 

The drill is designed to create repeated snapshots of defensive positioning as the ball moves around the field. By emphasizing communication, awareness, and constant adjustments, this drill helps defenders understand how their responsibilities change with the ball and how coordinated team positioning allows the defense to execute effectively.

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