Shifting your Man-Up (EMO) geometry is one of the most effective ways to break a defensive rotation without actually changing your personnel.
In lacrosse, defenses typically lock into a specific slide package (usually a "Box-and-One" or a "5-Man Rotation") based on the offensive set they see. By moving from a 1-3-2 (1 Top, 3 Across, 2 Behind) to a 2-3-1 (2 Top, 3 Across, 1 Behind), you fundamentally change the responsibilities of the defensive "top string" and create new shooting lanes.
Here are the primary tactical benefits of making this shift.
The most immediate impact of switching to a 2-3-1 is the horizontal stretch it places on the defense's high defenders.