The Best Sports to Stay Active During the Lacrosse Offseason

When the lacrosse season ends, smart players know that maintaining peak performance is a year-round commitment. But that doesn’t mean endless wall ball sessions and conditioning drills! The offseason is a perfect opportunity to play other sports that not only keep you in shape but also enhance specific skills that can translate to lacrosse.

These five sports can keep you active during the lacrosse offseason while building transferable skills for the next time you get on the field.

Best Sports to Play During the Lacrosse Offseason

Basketball: The Ultimate Coordination Builder

Basketball’s defensive slides, quick direction changes, and spatial awareness make it one of the most lacrosse-compatible winter sports available. The defensive positioning mirrors that of a close defender, while the offensive cutting patterns simulate offensive lacrosse movements.

Benefits for lax:

• Improves lateral quickness and defensive footwork
• Enhances hand-eye coordination and peripheral vision
• Develops decision-making in fast-break situations

Soccer: Endurance and Field Awareness

Soccer’s continuous movement and field spacing concepts directly transfer to lacrosse’s transition game. The cardiovascular demands also maintain the stamina needed for four quarters of high-intensity lax play.

Benefits for lax:

• Builds lower-body strength and endurance
• Reinforces field positioning and spatial awareness
• Develops footwork and agility without upper-body strain

Wrestling: Unmatched Core and Balance Training

This might surprise you, but wrestling provides exceptional benefits for lacrosse players. The leverage, balance, and body control required translate perfectly to ground ball battles and defensive positioning.

Benefits for lax:

• Develops excellent core strength and stability
• Enhances balance and body control in physical encounters
• Builds mental toughness and competitive drive

Swimming: Low-Impact Recovery and Conditioning

For athletes managing injuries or looking for low-impact alternatives, swimming offers full-body conditioning without stress on the joints. The shoulder and core strengthening benefits are particularly valuable for shooters.

Benefits for lax:

• Improves cardiovascular endurance without impact
• Builds shoulder stability and rotational strength
• Enhances breathing efficiency and recovery capacity

Box Lacrosse: The Direct Transfer

While technically still lacrosse, the indoor version offers advantages during the traditional field lacrosse offseason. The confined space forces quicker decisions and tighter stick skills in a controlled environment.

Benefits for lax:

• Accelerates stick skills and shooting accuracy
• Develops quick-twitch reaction time and decision-making
• Maintains sport-specific movements year-round

The key to effective offseason training isn’t just staying active—it involves participating in activities that can deliberately complement your lax development. By strategically incorporating one or more of these sports into your winter routine, you’ll return to the field with improved skills and fresh enthusiasm for the game.

Are you looking to take your lax game to the next level this summer? Our expert coaches are ready to help you improve your lax game at one of our 2025 GameBreaker Lacrosse Camps. Find a location near you and sign up today!