Teaching the Inside Roll: A Step-by-Step Guide for Coaches in Women’s Lacrosse
When teaching the inside roll in women’s lacrosse, it’s crucial to break down the move so that players understand both the mechanics and the strategy behind it. This move is particularly effective in women’s lacrosse due to the emphasis on stick protection and the no-contact nature of the game. Here’s how you can teach it to your players, especially if you’re a coach new to the women’s game:
What is the Inside Roll in Women’s Lacrosse?
The inside roll is a key offensive move used to gain position on a defender and create a better angle for a shot. It works best when a defender is pressing hard on the outside shoulder of the attacker, leaving space on the inside for the player to roll toward the goal.
Step-by-Step Execution for Women’s Lacrosse:
1. Setting Up the Move:
• Instruct players to approach the defender at an angle, using their body language to make it look like they are driving upfield. In women’s lacrosse, it’s important to encourage attackers to draw the defender up and create a gap for the roll.
2. Footwork:
• The player plants their outside foot (the foot furthest from the defender) as if they are about to drive upfield. This planted foot creates the foundation for the move.
• In women’s lacrosse, remind players to stay balanced and ready to pivot. The planted foot should be firm, allowing for an explosive pivot into the roll.
3. The Inside Roll:
• As the defender bites on the fake, the player quickly pivots on the planted foot, rolling toward the inside and heading toward the goal. The player’s body should naturally turn away from the defender as they protect the stick.
• In women’s lacrosse, the focus on stick protection is critical. Players should keep the stick tight to their body, using their shoulder and body as a shield while keeping the ball away from the defender’s stick.
4. Stick Protection in Women’s Lacrosse:
• Since women’s lacrosse has strict rules on stick checking and contact, players need to maintain excellent stick protection throughout the roll. Encourage players to hold their stick vertically and close to their body as they pivot, ensuring that the defender cannot easily check the ball.
• Avoid extending the stick too far out, as this makes it more vulnerable to checks under the women’s game rules.
5. Finishing the Play:
• After executing the roll, the player will often be in a prime position for a shot on goal. Instruct players to stay composed and use a quick fake—typically a high-to-low fake—to mislead the goalie before shooting.
• In women’s lacrosse, players should aim to take the shot quickly, minimizing unnecessary stick movement to avoid checks and maintain control.
Key Coaching Tips for the Inside Roll in Women’s Lacrosse:
• Sell the fake: In women’s lacrosse, the effectiveness of the inside roll depends heavily on how well the player sells the initial fake to the outside. A convincing drive toward the outside is key to getting the defender off-balance.
• Stick protection is critical: Due to the non-contact nature of women’s lacrosse, players must focus on keeping their stick close to their body throughout the roll. Constantly reinforce the importance of body positioning and stick protection.
• Timing and patience: Players need to initiate the roll at the right moment, ideally when the defender is over-committing or leaving space on the inside.
• Use in the right scenarios: Teach your players that the inside roll works best when a defender is playing them too tightly on the outside or over-pursuing. In women’s lacrosse, this move is perfect for getting around defenders who press high.
By focusing on these key elements of the inside roll, you can help your players in women’s lacrosse improve their offensive game, using this move to get past defenders and finish with confidence near the goal. The emphasis on stick protection and proper footwork will ensure that they are executing the move effectively within the specific rules and play style of women’s lacrosse.
The inside roll in women’s lacrosse differs from men’s lacrosse primarily because of the rules regarding contact and stick checking, as well as the overall style of play in the women’s game. Here are some key differences in how the inside roll is executed in each version of the sport:
1. Contact Rules:
• Women’s Lacrosse: Physical contact is very limited. Players are not allowed to body check or make significant physical contact, so the emphasis is on positioning and finesse. Players must rely more on footwork and body positioning to shield the ball rather than using strength to muscle past the defender.
• Men’s Lacrosse: Body contact is a regular part of the game, so when executing the inside roll, male players often have to physically engage with the defender. Men can use their body more aggressively to create space and roll through contact.
2. Stick Protection:
• Women’s Lacrosse: Since checking is more restricted in women’s lacrosse, players must keep the stick vertical and close to their body, using their shoulders and body to shield the stick from a check. Protecting the ball through the roll is critical, and exposing the stick could result in turnovers if the defender gets a clean check.
• Men’s Lacrosse: In men’s lacrosse, more aggressive stick checks are allowed. Players are typically more concerned with avoiding slashes and hard stick checks, so they may need to roll quicker and use their body to absorb contact while keeping the stick safe. In some cases, a player may hold their stick out away from their body during the roll to avoid aggressive stick checks.
3. Footwork and Balance:
• Women’s Lacrosse: In women’s lacrosse, footwork is crucial because players cannot rely on physical force to break through a defender. The plant-and-pivot needs to be precise, and players must use their body positioning to protect the ball. They rely on subtle movements and quick footwork to get past the defender without being touched.
• Men’s Lacrosse: While footwork is also important in men’s lacrosse, players often use their body more to drive through contact during the roll. They may initiate contact with the defender to gain leverage and then roll off the defender’s pressure. This physicality adds another dimension to the roll, requiring more strength in addition to technique.
4. Shooting and Finishing:
• Women’s Lacrosse: The finish after the inside roll in women’s lacrosse is often more about precision and quick release. Since the defender cannot body check aggressively, the attacker may have more space to finish but still needs to protect the stick and avoid checks.
• Men’s Lacrosse: After the inside roll in men’s lacrosse, the player might have to finish through traffic or take a shot while absorbing contact. The shot might be more physical, and players might need to focus on keeping balance and accuracy while potentially being hit or pushed.
5. Strategy and Timing:
• Women’s Lacrosse: Timing is crucial, as defenders are more likely to over-commit to the attacker’s outside shoulder. The attacker’s goal is to outsmart the defender with a quick change of direction and use the limited physicality to their advantage.
• Men’s Lacrosse: In men’s lacrosse, attackers often initiate the inside roll after making contact with the defender, waiting for the defender to apply pressure or overplay. The move involves more physical engagement and is often used to roll off a hard push or check from the defender.
6. Defensive Approaches:
• Women’s Lacrosse: Defenders in women’s lacrosse focus more on positioning and stick work. They cannot body check, so they must rely on foot positioning and stick placement to block or disrupt the roll without making excessive contact.
• Men’s Lacrosse: In men’s lacrosse, defenders use a combination of body and stick checks to disrupt the attacker’s roll. They may attempt to push the attacker out or use hard stick checks to dislodge the ball.
Summary:
The inside roll in women’s lacrosse relies more on finesse, footwork, and stick protection, whereas in men’s lacrosse, the move involves more physicality and contact management. In women’s lacrosse, the attacker must be more strategic about shielding the ball and using quick movements to outmaneuver the defender, while in men’s lacrosse, players often use their body to power through or create space during the roll.
