Trying a New Lacrosse Position: Plan a Supported Trial

Trying another role can help a player understand the game and teammates. It does not require assigning positions by personality or deciding from one successful play.

Begin with curiosity

Ask the player what interests them about the role and what they would like to learn. A preference is useful information, not a permanent commitment. Tell the coach about the interest and ask what opportunities fit the team’s format and division.

Define the trial

Agree the first responsibility, the practice setting and what equipment or instruction is needed. Goalkeeper requires an appropriate protective setup and qualified supervision. A longer defensive stick may also depend on age/format rules.

Keep the feedback focused

Afterward, ask what felt clear and what remained confusing. Encourage a question about one assignment rather than judging whether the player has the right personality for the role.

Review the next step

The coach can decide whether another trial or a specific skill activity is suitable. Let the player contribute to the decision while keeping team responsibilities and safety requirements clear.

Use our position-exploration worksheet and positions overview. A supported trial can be valuable even when the player returns to the original role with a better understanding of teammates’ work.