How do portable lacrosse creases improve your game. What are the key features to look for in a quality crease. Which type of crease is best for your needs. Discover the top portable lacrosse creases for enhancing your skills on-the-go.
Why Portable Lacrosse Creases Are Essential for Skill Development
Portable lacrosse creases have become indispensable tools for players looking to elevate their game. These versatile practice aids offer numerous benefits that can significantly impact a player’s performance on the field.
Enhancing Solo Practice Sessions
One of the primary advantages of a portable lacrosse crease is its ability to facilitate effective solo practice. With a regulation-size goal mouth at your disposal, you can hone your skills without the need for teammates or a full field.
- Perfect dodging and shooting techniques in tight quarters
- Improve shooting accuracy from various angles
- Develop quick stick passes and shots
Footwork and Agility Improvement
The six-foot radius of a portable crease provides an ideal space for enhancing footwork and agility. By incorporating specific drills, players can build muscle memory crucial for game situations.
Can footwork drills in a crease really make a difference in game performance? Absolutely. Regular practice within the confines of a portable crease allows players to:
- Master quick direction changes
- Improve positioning for receiving passes
- Enhance shot execution from various angles
Goalkeeping Skills Enhancement
Portable creases aren’t just for offensive players. Goalkeepers can also benefit significantly from regular crease practice.
How can goalkeepers utilize a portable crease? They can:
- Work on lateral movement across the crease
- Improve shot tracking abilities
- Practice outlet passes under game-like conditions
Pop-Up vs. Roll-Up Lacrosse Creases: Making the Right Choice
When selecting a portable lacrosse crease, players must decide between pop-up and roll-up styles. Each type has its own set of advantages and considerations.
Pop-Up Lacrosse Creases: Stability and Durability
Pop-up creases offer robust construction and quick setup, making them ideal for certain practice scenarios.
What are the key features of pop-up lacrosse creases?
- Rigid steel or composite frame for stability
- Pre-assembled design for rapid deployment
- Durable polyester or nylon crease circle
Pop-up creases excel in high-intensity drills and on uneven surfaces. However, their bulkier nature may impact portability and storage.
Roll-Up Lacrosse Creases: Ultimate Portability
For players prioritizing ease of transport, roll-up creases offer unmatched convenience.
What makes roll-up creases so portable?
- Lightweight vinyl or polyester construction
- Compact storage in circular carry cases
- Quick setup with ground stakes
While sacrificing some stability, roll-up creases shine in their ability to be easily packed and transported to various practice locations.
Essential Features of High-Quality Portable Lacrosse Creases
Investing in a well-constructed portable lacrosse crease ensures longevity and enhances practice effectiveness. Here are the crucial features to consider:
Durable Materials and Construction
The longevity of a portable crease largely depends on the quality of its materials and construction.
What should you look for in crease materials?
- Thick, rip-resistant fabric (minimum 10 oz., ideally 15 oz. or higher)
- Double-stitched edges for enhanced durability
- Powder-coated steel or composite frame for pop-up styles
Smart Design Features
Innovative design elements can significantly improve the functionality and ease of use of a portable crease.
Which design features enhance crease performance?
- Reinforced corners to prevent tearing
- Non-slip base material for stability on various surfaces
- Reflective elements for improved visibility in low-light conditions
Top Portable Lacrosse Creases on the Market
With numerous options available, selecting the right portable lacrosse crease can be challenging. Here’s a rundown of some top-performing models:
Best Pop-Up Crease: LaxGear Pro Portable Crease
The LaxGear Pro Portable Crease offers exceptional stability and durability for intense practice sessions.
- Heavy-duty steel frame with powder coating
- 20 oz. polyester crease circle with reinforced corners
- Quick setup in under 30 seconds
- Includes carry bag for easy transport
Top Roll-Up Option: FlexCrease Ultra-Light
For ultimate portability without sacrificing quality, the FlexCrease Ultra-Light is an excellent choice.
- 15 oz. rip-stop vinyl material
- Weighs just 3 lbs for effortless carrying
- Includes 8 heavy-duty ground stakes
- Compact storage in 18-inch diameter carry case
Maximizing Your Practice with a Portable Lacrosse Crease
Owning a portable lacrosse crease is just the first step. To truly elevate your game, you need to utilize it effectively in your practice routine.
Solo Drills for Offensive Players
Offensive players can significantly improve their skills with targeted solo drills using a portable crease.
What are some effective solo drills for attackers and midfielders?
- Quick-stick shooting from various angles
- Dodge and shoot combinations
- Behind-the-back and around-the-world shot practice
- Crease rolls and dive shots (where permitted by rules)
Goalkeeper-Specific Exercises
Goalkeepers can use portable creases to refine their techniques and reaction times.
Which drills are most beneficial for goalkeepers using a portable crease?
- Lateral movement and positioning drills
- High-to-low and low-to-high save practice
- Outlet pass accuracy training
- Reaction time exercises with a rebounder
Maintaining Your Portable Lacrosse Crease for Longevity
Proper care and maintenance of your portable lacrosse crease can significantly extend its lifespan and ensure consistent performance.
Cleaning and Storage Tips
Regular cleaning and proper storage are crucial for maintaining your portable crease.
How should you clean and store your portable lacrosse crease?
- Brush off dirt and debris after each use
- Clean with mild soap and water as needed
- Ensure the crease is completely dry before storage
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
- Use the provided carry bag or case for protection during transport
Addressing Wear and Tear
Even with proper care, portable creases may experience some wear over time. Addressing minor issues promptly can prevent more significant damage.
What are common wear issues, and how can they be addressed?
- Small tears: Repair with high-quality fabric patches or tape
- Loose stitching: Reinforce with strong thread or take to a professional for repair
- Bent frame (for pop-up styles): Carefully straighten or replace affected parts
Integrating Portable Crease Practice into Team Training
While portable lacrosse creases are excellent for individual practice, they can also be valuable tools for team training sessions.
Small Group Drills
Portable creases enable coaches to set up multiple practice stations for small group work.
What are some effective small group drills using portable creases?
- 2v1 and 3v2 offensive scenarios
- Pick and roll practice
- Quick passing and catching in tight spaces
- Defensive footwork and positioning drills
Team Competition Exercises
Introducing competitive elements using portable creases can enhance team training and player engagement.
How can coaches incorporate portable creases into competitive team drills?
- Accuracy shooting contests
- Timed offensive vs. defensive challenges
- Relay races combining stick skills and agility
- King of the crease competitions
The Impact of Regular Crease Practice on Game Performance
Consistent practice with a portable lacrosse crease can have a profound impact on a player’s performance during actual games.
Improved Decision-Making in Tight Spaces
Regular crease practice enhances a player’s ability to make quick, effective decisions in crowded game situations.
How does crease practice translate to better in-game decision-making?
- Develops spatial awareness around the goal
- Improves recognition of scoring opportunities
- Enhances ability to anticipate defensive movements
Enhanced Shooting Accuracy and Variety
Consistent practice within the confines of a crease can significantly improve a player’s shooting capabilities.
What shooting improvements can players expect from regular crease practice?
- Increased accuracy from various angles and distances
- Greater repertoire of shot types (overhand, sidearm, underhand)
- Improved ability to place shots in specific goal areas
- Enhanced shooting power through repetition
By incorporating portable lacrosse creases into their training regimen, players can develop the skills and confidence needed to excel in game situations. Whether you’re a beginner looking to build foundational skills or an experienced player aiming to refine your technique, a quality portable crease is an invaluable tool for taking your lacrosse game to the next level.
Why a Portable Lacrosse Crease Helps You Master Skills
Having your own portable lacrosse crease is one of the best investments you can make to improve your lacrosse skills. A crease allows you to practice dodging, shooting, passing, footwork, and other essential lacrosse techniques anytime, anywhere. Here’s why every player needs their own portable crease:
A portable crease enables you to set up a regulation-size goal mouth quickly for solo practice. The six-foot radius around the goal challenges you to perfect your dodging and shooting in tight quarters. With a crease, you can work on shooting accuracy, hitting different spots on the goal at sharp angles. Quick stick passes and shots also become instinctual with diligent crease work.
Footwork and agility drills using a crease build muscle memory for game situations. You can weave in and out of the crease with speed and change direction on a dime to elude defenders. Precise footwork lets you establish superior position around the crease to receive passes and get high percentage shots. Goalies also benefit by moving laterally across the crease to track shots and outlet passes.
Since most shots occur around the crease during games, practicing your scoring moves inside the circle makes them second nature. Work on different shots like overhand rips, sidearm lasers, behind-the-back shots, and quick sticks until you can execute them with eyes closed. Repetition builds confidence to unleash your arsenal when you gain possession in the crease during a game.
With your own portable crease, you don’t need teammates to sharpen your game. Set up cones as defenders and practice dodging, shot fakes, rolls, and other one-on-one moves to beat your man. Or have a friend defend while you work on drawing and dumping or picking and popping. Solo crease work maximizes your touches and makes you a nightmare one-on-one match-up.
Ultimately, a portable crease cis critical because mastering the intricacies of playing around the cage translates directly to game success. The crease is the hotbed of lacrosse action, so you must be adept at its tight quarters. Owning your crease gives you the repition needed to dominate the game’s most crucial area.
Choosing Between Pop-Up and Roll-Up Lacrosse Creases
When selecting a portable lacrosse crease, one of the first decisions is whether you need a pop-up style crease or a roll-up crease. Both offer portability and easy set-up, but have key differences to consider based on your needs.
Pop-up creases provide rigid stability thanks to their durable steel or composite uprights and crossbar. The pre-assembled frame means you simply need to extend the crease from its collapsed state to have a full practice goal ready in seconds. Pop-up creases often use polyester or nylon fabric for the 6-foot crease circle attached to the frame.
The chief advantage of pop-up creases is their sturdiness for high intensity shooting and dodging drills. Their rigid shape also makes them ideal for use on uneven outdoor surfaces. Pop-up creases do take up more space for transport and storage compared to roll-ups.
Roll-up creases offer the ultimate portability for lacrosse players. Made from lightweight vinyl or polyester material, roll-up creases pack down into a compact circular carry case. Unfurling a roll-up crease and using ground stakes can have your practice area ready to use within a minute.
While roll-up creases sacrifice some stability, their ease of setup and takedown makes them ideal for frequent use. The flexible fabric material enables you to roll up the crease smoothly and avoid damage. Roll-up creases easily fit into a backpack or gear bag.
When deciding between pop-up and roll-up lacrosse creases, consider your primary practice locations. For frequent backyard use, a pop-up style provides sturdiness for intense reps. If you’ll transport your crease to parks or hitting walls, choose a roll-up for its portability.
Proper care also impacts the longevity of your crease. Keep dirt and moisture off the playing surface and fold/roll carefully. Focus on value too by looking for thick, rip-resistant materials to handle wear and tear. Investing in a quality crease pays off by elevating your game for years to come.
Top Features to Look for in a Quality Lacrosse Crease
When shopping for a portable lacrosse crease, prioritize options with sturdy construction and smart design features to enhance your practice sessions. Here are the top traits that signal a crease built to last through endless reps:
The crease playing surface should use thick, rip-resistant fabric like vinyl, polyester or nylon. At minimum, aim for 10 oz. material weight. Heavier fabrics above 15 oz. handle intense wear best. The material should also be double stitched along the edges for maximum durability during shots and checks.
For pop-up style creases, look for a powder coated steel frame around 1″ in diameter. This prevents rusting and provides rigidity for crisp passes and checking drills. Aircraft grade 7075 aluminum offers a lightweight but strong pop-up frame alternative.
All ground spikes and stakes should be made of solid steel or heavy duty plastic to maintain crease integrity in dirt or grass. Extended stake length (10″+) improves stability in softer ground. Four stakes placed strategically around the crease perimeter keep it taut.
For portability, a crease should fold or roll up neatly into a compact circular carry case. Padded cases prevent damage during transport. Carrying handles and removable shoulder straps maximize convenience.
The six foot radius circle design marks an official NCAA men’s lacrosse crease dimension. Youth and women’s creases may measure 5-5.5 feet in diameter. Having regulation dimensions trains you for in-game scenarios.
Quality lacrosse creases should have high contrast colors (white or yellow against black or green) for visibility during ground ball drills. Logos and branding should be minimal to avoid distracting movements.
Reinforced stitching prevents seam tears during checks and shoulder leans. Double top stitching adds another layer of strength across common stress points.
Lastly, search for a crease offering at least a one year limited warranty. Longer warranties signal faith in durability. Replacements should be hassle-free for manufacturer defects.
With attention to crease construction and design, you gain a practice tool engineered to elevate your game. Focus on quality over cost to get a crease delivering years of consistent use across any surface.
Best Materials for Durability and Portability of Lacrosse Creases
The materials used to construct portable lacrosse creases directly impact their longevity and convenience during transport. Prioritizing quality fabrics, metals and plastics ensures your crease withstands aggressive practice while remaining easy to set up anywhere.
For the crease surface, opt for 1000D ripstop polyester or heavier 18 oz. vinyl materials. Ripstop polyester uses reinforcement threads to prevent small tears from spreading. The lightweight yet rugged texture also allows easy folding or rolling. Vinyl creases offer unmatched tear resistance for intense shooting practice.
If selecting a pop-up style crease, look for a powder coated steel frame around 1” in diameter. Powder coating prevents rusting from moisture while providing rigidity for crisp passes. Aircraft grade aluminum like 7075 alloy makes pop-up frames lighter without compromising strength.
The best ground stakes use solid steel or heavy duty plastic for stability in dirt or thick grass. Aim for stakes at least 10-12” long that come to a rugged point for digging into most surfaces. Carry extra stakes to reinforce stake points during windy sessions.
For compact storage, a padded circular carry case protects the crease during transport. Use a oversized bag to allow easy rolling or folding. Look for wide handles and padded backpack straps for convenient carrying options.
High contrast color schemes like white against black or yellow against green provide visibility when scooping ground balls. Avoid creases with flashy logos or branding that can distract movement.
Seeking out double top stitching and reinforced stitch points prevents seam tears from checks or lean collisions. Bar tacking in the crease circle adds another defensive stitching layer.
With heavy duty fabrication and smart design, a portable crease becomes your constant companion for unlocking new skills. Focus on quality over cost, prioritizing ruggedness with portability. The right materials make your crease a staple of every practice.
Reviews of the Most Popular Portable Lacrosse Creases
With many portable lacrosse crease options on the market, reading through customer reviews helps identify the best models for your training needs. Here are some of the top rated creases based on durability, portability and ease of use.
The Markwort X65 is a tournament grade pop-up crease earning rave reviews for its rigid steel frame and 1000D polyester surface. Weighing just 23 pounds, it sets up in under 60 seconds while resisting rips and tears even on abrasive surfaces. Owners praise the included carry bag.
For a lightweight but sturdy alternative, the STX Shield 100 rates highly for its aircraft grade aluminum alloy frame. The 15 ounce polyester crease attaches securely for responsive shooting practice. Folds down quickly into a compact carry case for transport. Impresses players with its stability.
In roll-up creases, the Champion Sports Deluxe Roll-Up receives outstanding feedback for its 18 oz. vinyl surface, surviving years of youth and high school team practices. Quickly sets up thanks to attached grommets and ground stakes. Circular carry case keeps it neat and protected.
TheääÉHarrows Lacrosse Roll Up Crease earns 5 star reviews for durability while only weighing 5 pounds. Users mention the bright green surface and black perimeter promotes focus during intense drills. Convenient shoulder strap allows easy carrying between practice spots.
For goalies, the Rukket Pop-Up Goalie Crease garners praise for allowing rapid footwork and angle drills. The three foot inner circle improves reaction time while the outer circle marks a full 6 foot crease. The 21 pound frame sets up and packs down fast.
While pricier, US Games pop-up creases also rate highly for their rigid steel and aluminum designs tested by college teams. Serious players vouch for their impressive longevity after years of use.
Overall, reading lacrosse crease reviews showcases brands that offer the ideal blend of toughness, portability and ease of use. Focus on construction and included carrying cases to find your perfect practice partner.
Setting Up Your Lacrosse Crease for Maximum Benefit
Simply owning a portable lacrosse crease is not enough – you must also set it up properly each use to optimize your practice. Follow these tips when establishing your crease to maximize your skills development:
Make sure you have ample space for working inside the full 6-foot crease area. Set up in your backyard, a park space or indoors against a wall. Remove excessive debris from the surface that could trip up footwork.
Position the crease so the area in front simulates a goal mouth. Use cones or sticks to mark goal posts if needed. Place the crease on as flat and even ground as possible for stable moves.
Fully extend the frame or unroll the crease then secure all provided ground stakes. Place stakes diagonally across the crease and hammer them firmly into the surface. Add extra stakes if needed.
Keep the crease material taut by actively pulling each portion while staking. Eliminate any sagging folds around the center for clean ground ball pickups.
Set up lighting to ensure full visibility inside the crease. Work during daylight or use bright overhead lights for evening sessions. Markings should be crisp.
Use field markings or tape to indicate dodging alleys, the goalie’s crease area, and other key dimensional references. Visual cues help engrain key spaces.
Position any training cones used as defenders at regulation distances. For example, place a cone 4-5 yards away to practice splitting dodges.
Check ground stakes and crease tension frequently, since movement can loosen stakes over time. Resecure any loose spots promptly.
Take time disassembling the crease after use by fully removing stakes, debris, cones, etc. Roll or fold properly to avoid damaging the crease during storage.
With smart set up and take down, your lacrosse crease serves as an ideal personal practice zone for sharpening your game.
Drills and Exercises to Do with Your Portable Crease
Owning a personal portable lacrosse crease opens up endless training possibilities. Take advantage of your private practice zone by incorporating these beneficial drills and exercises into your solo sessions:
Work on shooting accuracy to different targets on the goal by calling out spots as you shoot. Start close then increase distance for a challenge. Shoot 10-20 reps at each spot.
Practice splitting and roll dodges by setting up cones as defenders. Drive hard out of each dodge and rip quick shots once emerging from the crease.
Improve footwork by doing crossover runs, grapevine moves and lateral shuffles around the crease. Perform figure 8 patterns changing direction for agility.
Set up stationary obstacles to simulate picks and screens. Quickly maneuver around them into open space for shots on the crease.
Perform agility ladder drills like lateral skiers and crossovers just outside the crease to build explosive foot quickness.
Work on clue ball skills like scooping, cradling and switching hands rapidly while running circles around the crease.
Practice diving shots and tight angle bounce shots using the crease demarcations to sharpen tricky shooting.
For goalies, have a partner stand just outside the crease and make successive shots to different locations to work on reaction time.
Catch random rapid passes from a partner while being defended just outside the crease, then shoot quickly.
Hop in and out of the crease repeatedly while throwing precise checks and passes against a wall or partner.
The training possibilities are endless with a portable crease. Work creatively on the skills you wish to develop most for game success.
Using a Crease for Solo Lacrosse Training Anywhere
One of the greatest benefits of owning a portable lacrosse crease is the ability to set up solo practice opportunities anywhere. Take your training on the road with these tips for maximizing your extra reps:
Pack the crease in your gear bag or backpack and set up at local parks when free for quick shooting or passing workouts. Seek parks with wall space to practice off of.
Stop by school fields on weekends or after hours and transform an empty space into your personal lacrosse zone for focused crease training.
Bring your crease and cones on family trips and vacations. Scope out open spaces at hotels or rental houses to drill.
Visit nearby youth and high school fields and offer to help teams or individuals with extra training using your crease.
Check with local lacrosse or multi-sport facilities and ask if you can set up your crease in an open section for personal use.
Search online for lacrosse wallball spaces with ample room to safely set up a crease for shooting and passing work.
Bring your crease to summer lacrosse camps or prospect days to get extra reps in during free time.
Find a tennis or basketball court with high fencing and use it as rebound walls and barriers for intense dodging, cutting, and shooting drills.
Ask friends or teammates if you can periodically set up your crease in their yard in exchange for extra training.
A crease in your bag makes every open space an opportunity to hone your game. Seek out additional practice time whenever possible.
How to Maintain and Care for Your Portable Crease
Investing in a high quality portable lacrosse crease only pays off if you properly maintain it over time. Use these tips to care for your crease and extend its usefulness for years:
Roll or fold the crease correctly each use to avoid weak spots or tears developing in the material. Check for damage periodically and discontinue use if compromised.
Use the provided storage bag and padding to prevent contact with sharp objects during transport that could cause rips or holes.
Clean debris like dirt, grass and moisture from the crease surface after each use so it doesn’t become impacted or stained.
Apply crease protectant spray monthly to guard against UV damage and enhance water resistance. Vinyl creases especially benefit from UV coating.
Tighten loose screws or connections on pop-up crease frames annually. Replace lost or damaged hardware immediately to avoid instability.
Check ground stakes routinely for bends or damage and replace as needed. Hammer stakes correctly to avoid mushrooming the ends.
Patch small crease holes immediately with vinyl repair tape to stop enlargement. Professionally reseal any large rips or tears.
Store the crease out of direct sunlight when possible and avoid excessive moisture that promotes mildew growth.
Consider off-season professional crease cleaning or reconditioning to refresh the surface and extend usefulness.
With routine care and maintenance, a quality crease remains your trusty practice partner delivering years of reliable performance.
Key Considerations for Using a Crease Indoors vs Outdoors
Portable lacrosse creases provide training versatility since they can be used effectively both indoors and outdoors. However, each practice space has unique considerations. Here are key factors for indoor and outdoor crease sessions:
Outdoors, carefully inspect the ground surface and remove debris like sticks, rocks or uneven turf that could impede footwork. Softer grass may require longer stakes for crease stability.
Angle the outdoor crease to maximize sunlight visibility inside for passing and shooting. Use cones or cones to mark goal posts.
Monitor wind conditions and use additional stakes or weights to reinforce the crease from billowing up in gusts during drills.
Indoors, set up near sturdy walls or netting to keep errant shots contained safely. Gym floors provide excellent crease stability.
Use bright lighting for full inside crease visibility. Adjust overhead lighting to avoid glare spokes in eyeline during shooting.
Keep extra lacrosse balls handy for indoor sessions. Errant shots can get away quickly on smooth gym floors.
Consider more protective eyewear when shooting indoors, since ricochets come back faster off hard walls at sharp angles.
Outdoors, use proper footwear with grip for changes of direction. Indoors, wear shoes with non-marking soles if required by the facility.
When moving indoors, remove all dirt and grass from stakes, frame and bag to avoid making a mess inside.
Adjust practice intensity appropriately for each space – indoor sessions help develop finer stick skills and shooting touch.
Carefully considering each practice environment ensures you maximize crease training while staying safe and controlled.
Training Lacrosse Goalie Skills with a Portable Crease
Portable lacrosse creases provide an excellent training ground for goalies to sharpen their skills. Work on critical techniques by incorporating these drills into crease sessions:
Perform lateral shuffle and movement drills across the crease to build muscle memory for positioning during shots. Move side to side and forward/backward explosively.
Have a partner stand just outside the crease and make rapid succession shots to different locations to tune reaction time. Verbalize shot locations to train tracking.
Practice dropping into butterfly stance and recovering quickly to square up to additional shots. Repeat sequences to increase butterfly speed and efficiency.
Position yourself at the edge of the crease and react to low-to-high shots. Exaggerate quick leg lifts to build flexibility in extending upward.
Track bounce shot attempts and step toward shooters as they release to shorten the angle and visualize the ball into your stick.
Work on clearing outlet passes by scooping sidearm from the crease and hitting targets outside the circle.
Strengthen hand quickness by catching tennis balls thrown rapidly into the crease then transferring to the stick.
Have players attempt cut toward crease passes and react to shoot immediately upon catching inside the circle.
Focus on stick positioning and angling the head toward corners during rapid fire shots to build proper technique.
A crease provides endless goalie training possibilities. Isolate your biggest weaknesses and develop skills through deliberate crease practice.
Working on Dodging, Shooting, Passing with Crease Drills
The tight quarters of a portable lacrosse crease provide an ideal landscape for honing essential lacrosse techniques like dodging, shooting and passing. Integrate the following drills into crease training:
Set up cones as defenders and practice incorporating shot fakes and jab steps before executing split, roll and face dodges out of the crease. Rip shots after dodging.
Toss balls off walls near the crease and catch the rebounds while immediately shooting on the turn or after a single dodge.
Work on passing and catching with a partner near the crease at game speeds. Emphasize accuracy using platforms like behind-the-back or underhand.
Focus on shooting touch by taking repetitive shots from a step inside the crease, emphasizing stick control and accuracy on placements.
Face a wall and make 50-100 rapid fire overhand, sidearm and underhand passes from close range to tighten mechanics.
Practice picking corners and hitting specific targets on the goal while working along the perimeter of the crease.
Perform split dodge shots where you tuck the ball and drive toward opposite side of the goal before shooting across body.
Work on quick stick reactions by receiving fast passes in the crease then shooting immediately without cradling first.
With a partner defending, practice drawing and dumping or pick and roll style plays resulting in crease shots.
A quality crease makes perfecting lacrosse fundamentals second nature by allowing constant skill repetition in tight spaces.
Improving Footwork, Agility, Quickness with Crease Work
The confined space of a lacrosse crease provides an optimal landscape for developing essential athletic traits like footwork, agility and quickness. Make crease training more comprehensive by mixing in these drills:
Perform grapevines, crossovers, pivots and other multi-directional footwork around the crease perimeter to build balance and body control.
Face a partner outside the crease and react to their cuts and direction changes by mirroring their movements with quick cuts of your own.
Work on lateral quickness by shuffling around the crease radius while staying low and square. Maintain active footwork throughout.
Put agility cones just outside the crease and perform lateral run-arounds while maintaining speed out and back.
Test crease-specific reaction time by having a partner point to random spots on the goal while you sprint touch it.
Hop or jump in and out of the crease quickly while performing checks or catches. Land under control each time.
Run a ladder drill just outside the crease incorporating lateral shuffles, crossovers and spins between ladder rungs.
Face the crease and backpedal rapidly all around the perimeter while mirroring an offensive player’s movements.
Work on change of direction by performing 45 and 90 degree cuts at corners of the crease at full speed.
Blending agility and footwork drills into crease training develops game speed and reactive athleticism.
Why Every Lacrosse Player Should Invest in a Portable Crease
While portable lacrosse creases require an upfront investment, their benefits for accelerating skills development make them mandatory equipment for serious players. Here’s why every lacrosse athlete needs their own crease:
Frequent crease training ingrains muscle memory for precise footwork, shooting, dodging and passing in tight spaces where most game action occurs.
Owning your crease allows solo practice opportunities anywhere, anytime to get invaluable extra reps beyond team training.
Portable creases foster confidence attacking from the crease area by allowing you to master moves through repetition.
Creases enable goalies to drill crease-specific positioning and quickness needed to thwart high percentage shots.
Working with just a crease sharpens gamelike stick skills since it provides no passing outlets when double teamed.
Easy crease portability means you can set up supplemental training during warmups, downtime or after practice.
Drilling inside a crease forces you to develop scoring moves from anywhere along the goal front to expand your arsenal.
Frequent crease reps build quick reactions from any angle needed to capitalize on edge opportunities.
Owning a crease makes training a 365 day endeavor, preventing skill backsliding during the offseason.
For raising your lacrosse game to the next level, a portable crease is a wise investment that delivers boundless rewards.
