Canadian Box Lacrosse
What Is Canadian Box?
Canadian Box Lacrosse is a fast paced, physical indoor game played 5 v 5 plus a goalie in a hockey rink. The boards are in play, the cages are smaller (4x4), the goalies are fully padded like hockey goalies, there is full substitution on the fly and a 30 second shot clock to ensure continuous fast paced play.
Why Play Canadian Box?
- IMPROVED STICK SKILLS – because of the tight spacing you must have great stick fundamentals (can not hang your stick) & passes must be sharp /on target (no floating passes). CB fundamentally forces you to change how you hold your stick, carry the ball and make passes
- FASTER PACE OF PLAYING – because of the shot clock / constant subbing (up, down, off) players learn to play at a faster pace. This teaches them to process what is happening on the field faster & provides a great benefit when they transition to the slower paced field game.
- IMPROVED DODGING – Because of the tight spacing & boards dodging space is limited. Players have to dodge vertically or suffer the consequences of being doubled teamed. This teaches players to dodge hard (run through stick checks) & head to the cage (no drifting).
- SHOT SELECTION – Because of the tight spacing and fully padded goalie shooting space is at a premium. This teaches players how to get their hands free quickly, use defenders as screens, and the difference between an okay shot (immediate turnover) and a high percentage shot. “Best shot not first shot” as we say.
- OFF-BALL MOVEMENT – Because of the limited room to dodge, off ball movement is at a premium (key to box lacrosse). This means that players must learn to set on ball picks, set off ball picks & learn when to cut. All skills that will help them in the field game.
- IMPROVED POSITIONING – Because long poles are not allowed defensive players learn to improve their footwork and positioning (“use your hips”) rather than just throw takeaway checks on the defense.