Transition Lacrosse Basics
Lacrosse transition drills are designed to help you and your teammates move down the field in a quick and effective manner. 80% of the goals in a game are scored in transition. However, as a coach you have no control over this situation once the game begins. This is why transition is the most vital thing to practice.
Dodge draw the slide move the ball one more
Dodge, draw the slide, move the ball, one more… simple as that.
Adjacent Triangle Rotation Man Up
It may look chaotic but it is actually very simple. Two triangles simultaneously and continuously rotating towards the goal from top to bottom across from each other. What a great way to keep the offense moving and the defense off balance.
Pyramid Dodge out of a 2-2-2 set
Dodging from a pyramid formation can work out of any set. I created this out of a 2-2-2 for now because I think that is the most smooth transition as I illustrate in the article. But if you have a talented player you want to dodge with the ball while dictating who is sliding and where they are sliding from this is for you.
1-3-2 Double Go Overload
The 1-3-2 Double Go Overload uses ball movement and misdirection, and finishes with two simultaneous cuts to overload the crease.
Man up Wheel
The basic premise is to pull a defender out of their zone, making the rotation awkward. It is shocking how many looks open up just from all the players on the permitter moving in sync.
2 3 1 set Drive from X Fill from the crease Clear out the wing
This is a basic way to teach the offense how to clear space for the dodger while keeping the field balanced. This is a great way to teach young players who are starting out.
3-3 to a 1-4-1 man up set change
In the video in the article we show how Cornell effectively uses changing the set from a 3-3 into a 1-4-1 to get a quick goal. Sometimes giving a different look is all you need to throw the defense off.
Wing dodge out of an umbrella formation
This is a great variation out of a 1-4-1 set that really makes use of your wing players. There are also so many looks that can be created by players who play with their head up and are looking for the open man.
Rotating Diamond to beat a 3-3 zone defense
Included in this post is a video demonstrating how one of the best college teams in the country broke down a 3-3 zone using a rotating diamond concept. If you are having difficulty agains a 3-3 zone you must check out this article.
Scouting Defenses
A program should have a standard format for scouting a defense. This will allow for a variety of scouts to observe opponents, and relay the information in a digestible and consistent manner for coaching staff and players.
Top Right Slip Pick
This is a very simple technique that could be taught to your players. Especially if they come from a Basketball or Box Lacrosse Background. You could have call for this but the end goal would be for them to recognize when to do this on their own during live play.
The Man to Man Goalie Jump Ride
The goalie jump man ride is a simple ride that is good for youth lacrosse as it is possibly the easiest ride to teach. The objective of this ride is to play man coverage where we match feet with all field players and leave the goalie uncovered.
1 4 1 Top Step Off Zone Play Offense
Facing a zone can be extremely frustrating if your players are not prepared for it. Our goal is to cross zones, overload one side, and make the defense rotate.
Dual Triangle Dodge out of a 2-2-2 set
This can be used as a play or an offensive philosophy for your team using the premise of motion. The basic principle is that the two triangles function together in order to create space for the dodger and complicate the slides making it more difficult for the defense to help.
2 3 1 Motion Offense Fade
This look provides simple rules for the players to follow on and off the ball. It is often referred to as a “two triangles” offense as the midfielders and attack form respective 3 man triangles.
2 3 1 Motion Offense Pop
A classic half field set that can be run from youth through the pros. This look provides simple rules for the players to follow on and off the ball. It is often referred to as a “two triangles” offense as the midfielders and attack form respective 3 man triangles.
3 Man Wheel Around X Extra Man Lacrosse Play
This play is a twist on a simple 3 man wheel by having one part of the wheel circle around the goal through X. This play provides many different looks and nicely resets the formation to run the play again. You can also flip the wheel and run it on the other side if you want to get it to the lefties.
Open Clear Buster 10 Man Ride
The objective of this ride is to cover the areas of the field where teams like to throw easy passes by pushing players forward and allowing the clearing team to have the extra man advantage near our goal instead of near their goal as we traditionally do when we are riding.
2-3-1 Pass Down Pick Down with Backside Cycle
The best part about this play is how quickly you can run it over and over in a possession by simply throwing the ball across the top of the field and immediately initiating again. After running this play a few times in a row on a single possession the defenders’ heads will be spinning!