Hey all,
We’re getting ready to announce our Sixes Leagues for July and August, and it got me thinking about why I think Sixes is so important.
👉 Sixes is one of the best confidence-builders for field lacrosse players—on and off the ball.
Box is king (more on that later), but Sixes is second-best when it comes to developing complete players.
Let me tell you why.
🔥 What Is Sixes?
Sixes is a newer, fast-paced version of lacrosse supported by USA Lacrosse and World Lacrosse. It’s played 6v6 on a smaller field with a 30-second shot clock, no faceoffs after goals, and a running clock.
What makes it special? Well look at the field for starters. It’s way smaller than a normal field.
"Sixes helps players build adaptability, reaction time, and a deep sense of field awareness. It amplifies core skills—stickwork, decision-making, and off-ball movement—at a rapid pace."
— USA Lacrosse
💥 Why I Believe In It
Box lacrosse is the best development model in the game—tight space, small goals, boards, heavy contact, and constant motion sharpen players like nothing else.
Sixes provides similar benefits you get from playing box—without the gear, conceptual learning curve or facility limitations of box lacrosse.
It's the bridge between field and box—and it works.
One of the biggest values?
🎯 Dodging Routes & Shot Selection
One advantage Sixes holds over box is that it’s offensive structure mimics and incentivizes field lacrosse offense. You get more opportunities to get good offensive reps.
✅ Field specific dodging routes.
✅ Every defender has a short stick.
✅ More opportunities to be involved in the play.
✅ Generating transition offense/early offense opportunities.
In Sixes, you’re not freelancing. You’re reading and responding with purpose.
⚡️ Touches. Reps. Confidence.
In traditional 10v10, players might get 3–4 opportunities to dodge. In Sixes?
You’re involved in every single possession—offense, defense, transition and you will have more opportunities to handle the ball against a short stick defender!
It builds confidence and allows player’s the chance to play with creativity.
🧠 Real Development. Real Results.
Last year we had over 150 athletes in our Sixes League. Every single player got better.
And every time, the response is the same:
“That was fun.”
“I touched the ball so much more.”
“I got to watch my son handle the ball more.”
🚀 What’s Next
Our Sixes registration will open on June 5.
The first 20 that sign up will get access to a webinar to our Sixes Strategy Showcase. A webinar dedicated to teaching athletes about the game and how they can use this Sixes league to get GRITTE!
We’re not replacing field or box—we’re using Sixes as the development accelerator.
It’s fast. It’s fun. And it works.
Later this week, I’ll send out a follow-up post breaking down why Sixes is so good for dodging routes and what athletes need to master to score more goals in this format.
Until then—
Get GRITTE
—Coach Elliott
@theboxlacrosseguy