Scouting Defenses
A lacrosse program should have a standard format for scouting. Obviously, no single format fits all coaches or coaching philosophies, but a program should have a standard format. 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.
***Note to Head- Coaches – don’t just send an assistant out with a camera and blank sheet of paper. In this portion regarding scouting, the defensive report will be briefly examined to provide a paradigm for the full report. Subsequent articles will have offensive, riding and clearing recommendations.***
Sample Defensive Recommended Areas of Concern:
How effective are their slides and support?
Do they change defenses? Is there a specific call for Man-To-Man (MTM) or Zone? How do they defend Out of Bounds plays – do they designate a slide, play zone or play basic MTM?
Do they trap? Force a player into a double?
Do they force the offensive player down the side or into the middle?
Where can we exploit their defensive unit?
Where is the opponent’s line of pressure? Do they press out adjacent? How far? Is there a specific point where they tend to meet with resistance (something we call a packline- the place where the opponent must feel pressure)?
Sample coaching notes:
Tight man to man at 20 yards and near hash marks; force ball down the sides; poor technique, top offensive middies get swept across defensive formation; D mid plays solid technique
Man to man Versus 1-4-1; 1st slide is adjacent; 2nd slide comes from crease; poor 2nd slide
Zones OB plays, switches back to MTM after ball moves one rotation back to X
Zone attempts to funnel the ball carrier into the middle of the field. Middle Long Pole is tenacious.
Roll backs and the 2nd pass off the dodge seem to be effective.
Be specific in what you are looking for – don’t go as a critic of the opposing team and don’t become a fan for the team your potential opponent is playing; go as a scout -to find ways to expose your opponent’s weakness(es) and provide your squad with insightful information.
