Clearing Mistakes Youth Lacrosse Teams Make—and How to Fix Them

Clearing in youth lacrosse can feel like solving the most frustrating riddle on the field. You’ve made the stop, your defense has done its job, but if you can’t transition the ball upfield, all that hard work unravels in an instant. Turnovers mount, momentum slips away, and morale crumbles as players glance at each other with exasperated expressions and outstretched palms, searching for answers.

It’s a problem all too common in youth lacrosse, where the best ball handlers are often parked on the offensive end, waiting for a pass that never comes, while less experienced players are tasked with navigating the chaos of a pressured clear.

To help tackle this issue, I’ve broken down the most common mistakes in clearing at the youth level—but this is just the beginning of the conversation. Let me know what I’ve missed because, ultimately, we’re all here to learn and grow together.

Common Mistakes in Clearing for Youth Lacrosse

1. Rushing the Clear

• Mistake: Players panic under pressure and force passes, leading to turnovers.

• Solution: Teach players to stay calm, use their goalie or a defenseman as an outlet—whichever has a steadier hand—and look for safe, short passes. Sometimes taking a step back to survey the field can lead to better decisions and more effective ball movement.

2. Poor Spacing and Lack of Structure

• Mistake: Players crowd together or improvise without a clear plan, creating confusion and turnovers. Even without a set play, players must understand that standing too close to each other limits options. Spacing benefits the team with the ball.

• Solution: Emphasize proper spacing and movement to create passing lanes, and implement structured clearing patterns to guide players.

3. Holding the Ball Too Long

• Mistake: Players hold the ball until they are double-teamed or trapped, losing possession. Passing when under pressure often leads to poor decisions and turnovers.

• Solution: Teach quick decision-making by encouraging players to pass as soon as someone is open. Move the ball within 3-5 seconds to avoid pressure.

4. Failing to Use the Goalie

• Mistake: Players overlook the goalie as a clearing option, forcing risky passes upfield.

• Solution: Incorporate the goalie as an integral part of the clear, ensuring they’re comfortable handling the ball. If the goalie isn’t confident with the ball, assign a defenseman or middie to serve as a reliable outlet.

5. Throwing Long, High Passes

• Mistake: Players attempt long, hail-Mary passes that are easily intercepted or hack the ball downfield. At the youth level, long passes are difficult to execute and often lead to turnovers unless the goal is to create a loose ball on the other end.

• Solution: Encourage short, accurate passes to advance the ball upfield methodically.

6. Lack of Communication

• Mistake: Players fail to communicate effectively, missing open teammates or opportunities to signal where pressure is coming from.

• Solution: Stress the importance of clear verbal and nonverbal communication to identify threats and signal availability. Communication is vital in every team sport.

7. Not Understanding How to Use the Substitution Box

• Mistake: Players new to lacrosse are often unfamiliar with subbing on the fly. They miss opportunities to pass to a fresh player entering from the substitution box.

• Solution: Teach players to look toward the box for teammates subbing in and be ready to make a pass to the new player entering the field.

8. Ignoring the Over-the-Midline Rule

• Mistake: Players, especially defensemen running with the ball, often freeze or panic when approaching the midfield line. Youth players can forget who can cross and who needs to stay back.

• Solution: Use calm, clear communication during play. Yelling instructions like “stay back” or “go forward” can increase panic. Instead, use reassuring phrases like “you’ve got this” or “keep going,” paired with simple hand gestures to guide the player.

9. Not Positioning Ball Handlers Strategically

• Mistake: Teams fail to account for their best and weakest ball handlers, leading to turnovers when weaker players are pressured.

• Solution: Assign stronger ball handlers to critical clearing positions (e.g., goalie outlets and transition leaders). Place weaker players in supportive roles where they can move to space or act as decoys. Ensure all players understand their roles and adjust based on skill level.

By addressing these common mistakes, youth players can develop better clearing strategies, minimize turnovers, and improve their overall game.