A woman-to-woman ride matches the riding team directly with the clearing team. Every player has a matchup, creating an 11v11 matchup where each defender is responsible for preventing her matchup from getting the ball.

Focus of the Ride

The main goal is to stay between the ball and your matchup.

The riding team wants to:

  • Keep heavy pressure on and off the ball.

  • Prevent easy outlets.

  • Keep players matched up.

  • Stop the ball from moving easily down the field.

  • Communicate constantly.

No one should be wide open when the player with the ball looks for her next pass.

Communication

Communication needs to be constant and consistent.

The goalie should communicate where the ball is, especially when a defender can't see the ball while staying with a quick or shifty matchup.

Players should also communicate:

  • Who they have.

  • Where the ball is.

  • When they are staying.

  • When they are switching.

  • When they need a teammate to pick up a new matchup.

Knowing where the ball is helps defenders adjust their positioning while still staying between the ball and their matchup.

Staying vs. Switching

One of the biggest decisions in a woman-to-woman ride is whether to stay with your matchup or switch.

Staying

Stay with your matchup when players are crossing the restraining line and you want to maintain the same matchups.

The defender follows her matchup, even if that means moving across the field or ending up on the other side of the 30.

The key is communication.

Switching

Switch when players are moving quickly and staying with the original matchup would create a problem.

A defender can communicate with a teammate and have her pick up the cutting player while the defender takes the teammate's original matchup.

Switching can help prevent a player from getting a step and breaking the ride.

The decision to stay or switch depends on the time, place, and what the clearing team is doing.

When to Use a Woman-to-Woman Ride

A woman-to-woman ride can be useful against teams that have difficulty clearing.

For example, if defenders don't like handling the ball, matching up everyone forces them into a 1v1 situation and can make them uncomfortable.

It can also work well against a goalie who doesn't like handling the ball outside the crease. With everyone matched up, the goalie may be forced to hold the ball longer or make a difficult pass.

When You're Woman-Up

A woman-to-woman ride can also be useful when you're woman-up.

With an extra player, the riding team can match up with everyone, including the opposing goalie.

This can create pressure and potentially force a turnover or simply bleed time off the penalty.

When You Need Possession

Another good time to use the ride is when you need the ball back.

For example, if time is winding down and the opposing goalie has just made a save, you may need to apply pressure and shut off all of the easy outlets.

The goal is to force the goalie to step out and make the clearing team work for every pass.