Lacrosse Clears Explained: Formations, Drills and Coaching Cues
Learn the fundamentals of lacrosse clears, including spacing, communication, goalie involvement, passing lanes, clearing drills, and coaching cues for developing players.
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Clears
Men's Lacrosse Defense content filed under Clears.
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Long Pole Riding Strategy
Use the long pole strategically while riding by staying deepest and central, protecting against the fast break, and moving ball side as the clearing team advances.
Man Down Clear: Alignment and Execution
The Man Down Clear uses a specific alignment to help a short-handed defense move the ball upfield. With defined positions for the defenders, short-stick defensive midfielders, and attackmen, the setup creates multiple passing options immediately after the whistle.
Clearing: The Basic L Clear
The basic L clear gives defenders space to move the ball up the field. By spreading out, using the extra player, and moving away from the ball, the clearing team can create open passing options and make it harder for the riding team to defend.
Clearing: Four Across
The Four Across clear gives the defense four players behind the cage and three players near midfield. It creates easy passing options, gives players room to build momentum, and can be especially useful against aggressive rides.
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Clearing Mistakes Youth Lacrosse Teams Make, and How to Fix Them
Common mistakes youth lacrosse players make during clearing, such as rushing passes, poor spacing, and lack of communication, which often lead to turnovers. By addressing these errors with structured strategies and proper coaching, teams can improve their clearing game and minimize costly mistakes.
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Gilman The Ball With a Purpose
What are you hoping for when you launch the ball down the field? It is not the ideal way to clear the ball, but we all have to play to our strength on the lacrosse field. Therefore if for whatever reason you need to chuck it down the field, have a plan.
Rotating Triangle clear
The rotating triangle clear ensures constant passing options, natural spacing, and adaptability against high-pressure rides by keeping players in motion and creating multiple exit strategies. This movement forces defenders to chase, prevents turnovers, and allows for a smooth transition into offense without relying on risky long passes or individual dodging.
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Opposite Box Push Clear
The "Opposite Box Push Clear" maximizes spacing, transitions, and clearing efficiency by leveraging strategic positioning, substitutions, and mismatches against aggressive rides. It’s ideal for teams with skilled LSMs and disciplined communication.
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The L Clear in Men’s Lacrosse: Strategy, Execution, and When to Use It
The L Clear in men’s lacrosse is a fundamental strategy for transitioning the ball from defense to offense by utilizing an “L” shaped formation. It creates space, stretches the defense, and provides multiple passing options. Ideal for teams with skilled defensemen and when facing man-to-man rides, the L Clear is simple to execute but can become predictable and vulnerable against zone or trap rides
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The drill that turned into a game time strategy
This was a man up / man down drill that incorporated fast breaks that became an effective game strategy
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Clearing 101 for new coaches
If you are a new to Lacrosse this may help you understand clears a little better.