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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.
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Men's Lacrosse Defense
Defensive concepts, clears, slides, rides, and goalie-supported teaching notes.
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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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Crease Slide vs. Adjacent Slide in Lacrosse: A Detailed Guide to Defensive Strategy
In lacrosse, the crease slide and adjacent slide are two key defensive strategies. A crease slide involves a defender near the crease sliding out to help stop an attacker, ideal for protecting the middle of the field and preventing close-range shots. In contrast, an adjacent slide provides quicker help from the closest defender, best for defending perimeter dodges and well-spaced offenses. Both have their advantages and are used in different scenarios, depending on the offensive setup and defensive needs. Understanding when and how to use each can greatly improve a team’s defensive effectiveness.
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Zebra Pressure Zone
Learn the Zebra Pressure Zone for men's lacrosse, including the 2-2-2 formation, rotations, crease help, backer rules, and defensive communication.
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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.
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Team Defense: Close the Gate
“Close the Gate” teaches defenders to use positioning, body leverage, and communication to keep the ball carrier away from the middle. By protecting the gate and keeping defenders connected to the hole, the defense can force outside dodges and create shorter, more predictable slides.
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Intermediate Defense: Topside 231 Crease Slide
Learn how the 2-3-1 lacrosse slide package works when defenders protect the top side. Improve slides, passing lane coverage, communication, and recovery.
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Slide Early, Slide Often
Slide early and slide often removes hesitation and allows the defense to dictate the action by stopping dodgers before they become dangerous. It only works when all six defenders move together—sliding, sloughing in, communicating, and recovering as one connected unit.
Zone Defense in Lacrosse: Why Run It, Which Zone to Use, and How to Beat It
Zone defense can give a lacrosse team a valuable change of pace, especially against strong offensive personnel or explosive scoring teams. Learn why coaches use different zone structures, how those zones are built around familiar team-defense principles, and how offenses can create openings by manipulating the defense.
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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.
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Rotating Box - Man Down Defense
How many of you use the rotating box to pressure the ball when you are man down on defense? Or maybe just to throw a different look at the offense?