Incorporating the Throw Down, Pick Down: A Versatile Offensive Strategy for Men’s Lacrosse
The throw down, pick down is a versatile and fluid offensive strategy in men’s lacrosse that enhances transition play and handling defensive pressure. By integrating picks & off-ball movement into any offensive set, this strategy opens up opportunities for pick-and-roll plays, quick passes, and attacking the goal. Perfect for high school and college-level lacrosse coaching, it keeps the offense unpredictable and effective.
Understanding the 6-Man Offensive Rotation (Wheel) in a 3-3 Man-Up Set
In men’s lacrosse, man-up situations are prime moments to exploit your extra player and create high-percentage scoring opportunities. A dynamic 3-3 offensive set with a 6-man rotation keeps the defense guessing and opens up lanes for easy shots. Dive into the strategy that could change your game.
Principles-Based Offense in Men’s Lacrosse
A principles-based offense in lacrosse emphasizes fundamental concepts like spacing, ball movement, and player adaptability over rigid plays, allowing teams to respond dynamically to defensive tactics. While this approach enhances creativity and flexibility on the field, it can present challenges such as a steeper learning curve and potential miscommunication among less experienced players.
Crease Overload Deception Man Up Play
This man-up lacrosse play starts in a 1-4-1 formation and transitions into a 4-2 to confuse the defense. After passing the ball to the player behind the goal (at ‘X’), the crease attackman moves below the Goal Line Extended (GLE), overloading one side of the field. This shift forces the defense into tough decisions, allowing wing attackmen to sneak into the soft spot on the crease for high-percentage scoring opportunities.
Pairs offense explained in detail
Pairs offense in lacrosse focuses on two-man games that create mismatches and force defenders to make quick decisions. It leverages picks, mirrors, and off-ball actions to generate scoring opportunities while being adaptable for teams with varying skill levels.
The Razor Pick in Men’s Lacrosse
The Razor Pick is an advanced lacrosse tactic used near the Goal Line Extended (GLE) to create space and confusion for defenders. By setting a pick behind the GLE, attackers force quick decisions from defenders, often opening up lanes for shots. With proper timing and communication, this strategy can be a game-changer for modern offenses.
Top corner pick shift to the weak side
The core strategy of this play is to shift the defense to one side, allowing the offense to exploit the weak side by quickly moving the ball and using screens to create space for a scoring opportunity. By setting picks and reversing the field, the offense aims to free up a player to catch the ball and take a shot with minimal defensive pressure.
Pick and Roll
The pick and roll in lacrosse is a game-changer. By setting a screen and rolling into open space, you create chaos for defenders, opening lanes for shots or passes. It’s simple, versatile, and perfect for breaking down defenses, forcing them to make split-second decisions that often lead to big scoring opportunities.
1-3-2 Bottom Triangle Carry
This is a very clean man up that many of us can run. Sometimes a simple rotation and change in direction of the ball is enough to throw a defense off. Video included
Executing the Pairs Offense
Unleash the potential of the pairs offense to elevate your lacrosse game with coordinated, high-impact plays. Learn how this strategy simplifies teamwork while creating dynamic scoring opportunities.
Double Crease Pick Forcing a Defender Switch
This concept out of a 1-4-1 set is a great way to get the defense to switch a match up and get a player open for a shot close to the crease.
About the Circle 2 Set
This a great offensive set if you want to run a two man game from up top or behind without having anybody in the crease thereby opening up space and making slides more complicated.
3 Groups of 2 From Top to Bottom
Take your basic 2-2-2 set and envision in 3 sets of 2's. The goal is to have each set of two working together as a team within the team. The thinking here is that it is easier to get in sync with one other person rather than 5 others.
Double Crease Pick Curl Out of a 1-4-1
You need to get your best players hands for a good shot with his strong hand. Or maybe you are trying to get the defense to switch the match up. You need this in your playbook!
2-3-1 Triangle motion
The motion offense thrives with two interlocking triangles, separating midfielders from attackers to confuse defensive slides and create multiple scoring opportunities. By mastering the basics and adding creativity, your team can transform simple plays into dynamic, fluid movements, giving the illusion of an endless playbook while adhering to core principles of spacing and movement.
Wing Dodge Backside Pick
This a great way to pull the defense to one side using a wing dodge with the goal of reversing the field and creating space to feed the crease with.
Clear and fill offensive philisophy
This is an offensive scheme that can be the foundation of an offense at every level. With all the plays and schemes I have seen I have come back to doing this so many times. I figured if my guys could completely master this concept, combined with 2-3 killer plays, I am good to go. This can also be used as a man up scheme too. This premise can also be applied to other sets as shown in a 1-4-1.
Settled Weave
The Settled Weave in lacrosse is a masterclass for handling high-pressure defenses. Imagine weaving through defenders with precision, creating seamless opportunities and maintaining control of the ball. This strategy not only defuses intense pressure but also orchestrates an elegant dance of movement and teamwork, turning chaos into controlled, strategic play.
Rotating Motion Box offense with 2 men in the crease
The 1-4-1 Rotating Motion Box offensive scheme is great for dodgers as it creates space. It makes it very easy to bring the top two defenders into the crease which creates good matchups on the perimeter. Keep in mind that strong takeaway defenders HATE being trapped on the crease as they want to play the ball to be more proactive in creating a turnover. These aggressive and now pent up strong defensemen have a tendency to slide very early leaving the crease men open.
Attack Rotation Off of a Quick Whistle
Everybody says they like to play fast, but do they have tangible strategies to play faster? One such opportunity is the restart on a face-off whistle. This is typically a time of confusion with the offending player hesitating to get off or sometimes still trying to ask an official the nature of the infraction. Also typically your face off guy will run to the same side of the field each time as they are not always your must skilled offensive midfielder. This is an excellent time to: 1. Play fast creating confusion in the slides as your face off guy can be rewarded by going fast by having a clear path to the goal. 2. Open up outlets for your face off guy coming down with your scores being in a position to score