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LACROSSE BASICS:SOME FUNDAMENTALS OF

PLAY

ROBBINSVILLE LACROSSE

Coaching Critical Areas

Be Prepared

- Have a practice plan

- Keep them moving

- Choose drills that involve many players, many touches

- Utilize assistant coaches to run drills

- Flex requirements for player ability

Every Practice !

- Skill development / Skill development / Skill development

- Ground Balls

- Scrimmage - Unsettled play /

- KISS

- Have Fun

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Coaching Critical Areas

KISS-OFFENSE - MOTION / TWO TRIANGLES / OFF BALL MOVEMENT

- DON’T NEED TO HAVE LOTS OF PLAYS JUST A FEW- CANT STAND JUST ONE ON ONE OFFENSE

-DEFENSE – COMMUNICATION / HELP / PUSH TO OUTSIDE- HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE YOU CAN USE A LONG POLE

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Coaching Critical Areas1. Co-opt and engage the parents:

a. There can never be too many practice coaches: Dads, moms, injured older players, that nice older gentleman stops by practice on his walks because his son played at Hotchkiss back in the 70’s……All can help run drills or man a hydration station or help you with substitutions in your principal lessons.

b. Get a team Mom: These creatures make all of your best ideas come to fruition. Does everyone know that the game was rescheduled? Can we get a quorum to go play the Chargers on Sunday? Holy cow the league is selling raffle tix! Your best middie wants to play lax but his travel team soccer coach wants him to quit. What about a team banquet? Gosh, we now need a new practice field!! Team moms solve these problems with aplomb.

2. ORGANIZE PRACTICES!! Schedule to the minute:

a. Idle kids kill practices: Kids have the attention span of a gnat and hustle only when time for something is running out.

i. Run the fun stuff that kids love at the beginning of practice so late arrivals will miss it while they loosen up.

ii. Print a practice schedule for the team for every practice with assignments for each assistant and goals for each drill station.

iii. Nothing comes off but helmets and gloves when watering. Water breaks are no more than a minute.

iv. Everything is done at full speed. The most important lesson in youth lacrosse is that anything less than full speed is inadequate.

b. If you’re bored, they’re REALLY bored: ‘nuff said.

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3. Stress Fundamentals:

a.Teach defense first: All young lacrosse players want to do is score goals and hit people, probably in that order. The most direct way to instill the basics of teamwork and discipline is by creating an impenetrable D. Curiously, the best way to teach the importance of passing and off ball movement is to start kids thinking about how to stop it.

b. Keep your offense simple and relevant to the next level: There is a huge risk to bogging kids down in formations and chalk talks and eye charts. Teach them a basic slide and fill and adjust defense and they’ll figure out the tools needed to beat it when a defense is run badly.

c. If you DO end up installing an offense, make it something that the HS coaches will recognize and install it for the man-up team. Everyone wants to play man-up, so everyone will learn that offense.

4. Remember that youth lacrosse is all about teaching – not winning:

a. Discipline your renegades: One or two kids who refuse to pass in games or who are disruptive in practice diminish the experience for all kids on your team. Solve these problems. Talk to the kids, get the captains to talk to the kids, get the team mom to talk to the parents, or refund their money and suggest baseball. b. Play your whole squad: That is the objective of youth lacrosse. Development. If you are obsessed with winning try a higher level.c. Praise in public, criticize in private: Even on the sideline in games let an assistant run shifts and take transgressors behind the bags to have a chat.

Coaching Critical Areas

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5. Line drills are useful only for warm ups: Brief warm ups. The balls get sprayed around and kids go at half speed and nothing productive gets accomplished.

6. Resist the temptation to put all of your skilled players at attack: I can’t tell you how many youth teams I’ve seen that leave 4 or 5 goals on the table because they can’t clear.

7. Cultivate goalies: Even if you are lucky enough to have a kid who WANTS to play goalie, rotate your best stick handlers and best leaders and most coachable kids through the goalie rotation every practice. Have 2 good goalie kits on hand and keep reinforcing that good goaltending is worth more than a 6 GPG attack man.

8. Run lots of full field drills and scrimmages:

9. Teach face offs:

10. Emphasize teamwork

Coaching Critical Areas

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OFFENSE-SPECIFIC FUNDAMENTALS

ROBBINSVILLE LACROSSE

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AXIOM: POSSESSION OF THE BALL IS NUMBER ONE

• The crease attackman runs immediately to EVERY ground ball, no matter where it is.

• All attackmen converge, recover the ball, and reset.

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YOUR STICK

• Attend to your stick before every practice or game

• Pocket depth balances...– possession (deep)– snappy feeds (shallow)

• Pocket should be molded so you can easily carry the ball with one hand

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YOUR OFF HANDYou MUST have a Left!

Learn skills in this order1. Carry

2. Scoop

3. Catch

4. Shoot• Throwing a ball into a

6’x6’ square HARD

5. Throw

6. Feed

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GETTING OPEN WITH A V-CUT

When adjacent to the ball, use a V-cut to get open.

A

MMM

A

A

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BASIC: AFTER PASSING THE BALL,

GO SOMEWHERE GOOD

Every pass should cause a shift of the whole offense.

A

MMM

A

A

A

MMM

A

A

A

MMM

A

A

A

MMM

A

A

option 1option 2

option 3

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THE NO-DODGE ZONE1. Dodge, changing speeds and (usually) changing hands.2. Run in a straight line to a spot inside the Scoring Zone.3. Shoot and score.

ATTACKMEN: You cannot run in a straight line from the no-dodge zone to the scoring zone, SO DON’T TRY!

A

THE SCORING ZONE

THE NO-DODGEZONE

M

THE SCORING ZONE

THE NO-DODGEZONEboom

boom

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FOLLOW YOUR SLIDING D-MAN1. Middie beats his man on a dodge2. Your D-man slides3. You slide behind him, showing your stick to the outside4. Receive the pass5. Cut straight for the scoring zone

A

M

DA

M

D

A

MD

1 2 3

bang

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DRIVE AND DISH1. Attackman dodges D1 (outside the no-dodge zone)2. ...forcing defensive middie D2 to slide.3. M follows his sliding D-man showing his stick to the outside4. Attackman feeds M, who cuts straight for the scoring zone.

A

M

D1

A

M

D1

1 2 3bang

D2

D2

A

M

D1

D2

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FAST BREAK• Form a box, the middie is the missing corner

– the box needs to spread out with every A-man in the scoring zone• Middie passes the ball to the point early (before entering the restraining box)

• Once the point has the ball, all attackmen cut• Point man has 3 assist options and a shot

A D AD

AD

M

the boxthe

point man

1

A D AD

AD

Mthe box

2

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BALL ON THE DEFENSIVE END• Always wait at the midfield line• When the ball pops out and is rolling toward the attack

– First priority is to keep that ball rolling• If your D-man tries to scoop, lift his stick or hit him HARD

– Gain possession• Beat your D-man to the scoop

A D AD

AD

rolling ball

Lift his stick or body check

Run to the ball, win

with decisive scoop

smack

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RIDING• All upfield players must be SHUT DOWN, including any upfield D-men• Attackmen stack• On the first pass, attack the ball• Make the defense pass the ball across the field• KEEP CHASING

AD

A

D

A

DG

AD

A

D

A

DG

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...more RIDING• Keep chasing the ball• If the D-man attempts to run with the ball

– gang up on the ball– force him to the sideline

AD

A

D

A

DG

AD

A

D

AD

G

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FACE-OFF RESPONSIBILITIESOur guys are the R’s

• Left wing R attempts to line up inside the opponent on the defensive side– Runs into the red triangle and fights for the ball– Covers the fast break if green wins the ball

• Right wing R attempts to line up inside the opponent on the offensive end– Fights for the ball if it rolls to the Green triangle– Breaks for the goal if Red wins the ball

• Center R either...– Draws the ball (into the red triangle)

• Scoops it himself, or the left R gets to it– Wins the ball himself and passes to the Right R

• Attackmen: look for the rolling ball, and apply the rules

R R

R

G

G

G

LEFT RIGHT

MIDFIELD

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SHOOTING

1. Know your range, and use it all.

2. Beyond 10 feet from the crease, think BOUNCE

3. Inside, think EDGE/CORNER

4. ALWAYS shoot the far side of the goal

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SHOOTING ANGLE1. The goalie slides back and forth to cut your angle.2. Outside the Scoring Zone, he can reduce the open net to a very

small space, which he knows you need to shoot into.

You cannot score outside the Scoring Zone, SO DON’T TRY!

THE SCORING ZONE

AG

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SHOOTING OVERHEADShooting overhead has three advantages1. More of the goal is reachable by with

an unbounced shot– Very little power in an ascending shot

2. Bounce shots hit closer to the goalie and bounce up at a sharper angle

3. Prior to shooting the upright stick is easier to protect

OVERHEAD

SIDEARMS

IDE

AR

M B

OX

OV

ER

HE

AD

BO

X

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EXTRA MAN OFFENSE (EMO) ONE-FOUR-ONE

• All but the behind-the-goal attackman are in the scoring zone.

• Rotate the ball until the defense cannot keep up• OPTION 1: When the break occurs, follow the

rules for drive-and-dish.• OPTION 2: Collapse one side to set up the back

door or shot from the top

AM M

M

A

A

ONE-FOUR-ONE BASIC

AM M

M

A

A

Collapse for Top Shot

AM M

M

A

A

Collapse for Back Door

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EXTRA MAN OFFENSE (EMO) TWO-TWO-TWO

• Crease pair continuously pick and re-pick• Rotate the ball LOOKING TO FEED THE

CREASE, until the defense cannot keep up• OPTION 1: When the break occurs, follow the

rules for drive-and-dish.• OPTION 2: Collapse one side to set up the back

door or shot from the top– Back door is fed to second attackman though

A

M

MM

A

A

TWO-TWO-TWO BASIC

AM

MM

AA

Collapse for Top Shot

A

M

M M

A

A

Collapse for Back Door

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DEFENSE-SPECIFIC FUNDAMENTALS

ROBBINSVILLE LACROSSE

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DEFENSIVE POSITION

• KEEP YOUR NAVEL BETWEEN YOUR MAN AND THE GOAL, HIPS SQUARE

• POKE CHECK HIS HANDS AND ELBOWS

• PUSH THE MAN OUT OF THE SCORING ZONE

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GOALIE TALK

• CALL THE BALL– “Left-front”– “Right-front”– “Center-front”– “Left-behind”– “Right-behind”– “X”

• SHOT WARNING– “CHECK CHECK CHECK”

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THE HOLE• If you get beat during a clear...• If it looks like a fast break is starting...• If you lose your man......RUN TO THE HOLE

DD D

THE HOLE

MM

M

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SLIDE INSIDE-OUT• Decide to slide• Run into the HOLE• Slide out to the attacker

– UNDER CONTROL– STICK-ON-STICK– NOSE-ON-NOSE

• Finish the Hit

MMD D

BEATS HISMAN

MMD

D

THE HOLETHE HOLE

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SLIDINGKEY: TALK AND HUSTLE

A

M MM

A

A

D

D

D

D

D D

BEATS HISMAN

A

M MM

A

A

D

D

D

D

D D

A

M MM

A

A

D

D

D

D

D D

BEATS HISMAN

A

M MM

A

A

D

D

D

D

D D

GO TOO EARLY: THE COACH’S FAULT ------- GO TOO LATE: YOUR FAULT

THE HOLE

THE HOLE

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CLEARING• All downfield players MUST actively try to get open• Ball passed away from upfield D-man (D3)• D1 has passing options to D2 or D3, or can attempt to run the ball out• If nothing works, return the ball to the goalie and start over

AD3

A

D2

A

D1G

AD3

A

D2

A

D1G

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DEFENDING THE FAST BREAK• Meet the ball carrier and force him to pass• Slide

– Once, twice, keep sliding

A DA

D

AD

M

AD

A

DAD

M

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BALL ROLLING FROM THE OFFENSIVE END

• Always wait TIGHT on your attackman• Use your stick length and strength/size to push the ball back to your offense• Protecting the HOLE is more important than scooping the ball

– Don’t let your attackman get behind you

A D AD

AD

rolling ball

Lift his stick or body check

Run to the ball, win

with decisive scoop

smack

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GENERAL FUNDAMENTALS

ROBBINSVILLE LACROSSE

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BASIC: KEEP YOUR BODY BETWEEN THE DEFENDER AND YOUR BALL

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DON’T HANG YOUR STICK

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BASIC: CUT IN A STRAIGHT LINE• x1 = where you start the cut

• x2 = where you are when the middie releases the ball

• x3 = where you are when the ball arrives

A

M

x1

x3x2

A

M

x1

x3x2

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PASS RECEPTION

• Hold your stick up in the box• Call for the ball: “Here’s your

help!”• Move (straight line) to the

passer• Catch the ball on the move

and keep moving

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WEIGHT TRAINING PRIORITIES

1. WRISTS AND GRIP

2. BUTT AND CORE

3. SHOULDERS, CHEST, LATS

4. CALFS

If you train hard, you’ll not only be hard, you’ll be hard to beat.

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Tips For Attackmen • Make your defense man play you and you alone every second you are in the game. Keep moving all the time so that he must center his attention on you an not be in

position to help out his fellow defense men. • In moving the ball around the circle, make all passes sharp, short, and to the outside, away from the defense man. • Make feed passes hard. • When you have the ball, never stand still - keep moving all the time - if necessary run backwards and forwards - but keep moving. When you are ready to make a pass, take

one step back quickly and move. • All feed passes must be thrown directly overhand or directly underhand - not sidearm. • Always move to meet every pass, and circle away from your defense man. • When you have the ball, be constantly faking passes - keep your defense man's stick moving. • When in possession of ball, make the defense man play your stick - watch his stick - the position of it will determine the direction of your feed and the type of dodge you

might try. • Take pains to make every pass good. • Never make a pass to a man who is covered just to get rid of the ball. • If an attack man is being ridden hard and can't dodge or get away - the nearest man on each side goes to help him. • On all long shots, a man must be on the crease. • On every screen shot the crease man should check-up on the defense man's stick, and immediately face the goalie, so that he is ready to bat in a rebound. • After receiving a pass, as the ball moves around the outside, look first at the man who threw you the ball to see what he is doing, then at the crease. • If you receive a pass after cutting and haven't got a good shot, hold onto the ball. • Place all shots, usually for a far corner, and shoot hard. When within five yards of the goal, the shot should be for a top corner. • After picking up a loose ball, turn and face the crease immediately. If nobody is open, move in fast until you are picked up. • Don't dodge if there is an open man. Don't hold the ball long unless you are planning a dodge. Keep it moving with quick, short passes. • Always be in position to back up shots and feeds. When a cut is made, or a shot is taken, the whole attack must play a part, moving to be in a position to backup a pass or a

shot. Control the ball! • Never try to dodge when men are in position to back up. • Never try to force in, with the ball or by a pass, if the defense is drawn in. Pull them out first. • Never stand so close together that one man can cover two attack men. • When there is a loose ball on the ground, go after it fast and hard, you must have the ball! • Always keep your field balanced in order that you stay in better position to back up, and give your teammates space to work in. • Shoot plenty, but only if you feel you have a good shot. • Always have one, preferably two, men behind the goal to back up shots. • Time your cuts, don't cut if the man with the ball is not watching or not in position to pass. • Make full cuts - go through and out - don't cut at half speed or hang around the crease after your cut. • Zig your cuts, fake left - go right, fake right - go left. Don't always run at the same speed, change of pace is a very effective method of getting open. • After the ball has been cleared, if you have a wide open opportunity to dodge, do it, or if you are sure a man is open, pass to him, otherwise settle the ball down and let your

attack get set up. Remember, after a clear the wimpy midfielders will need time to catch their breath. Middies rest on offense, not defense, Control The Ball! • Every man on the attack should try at least two dodges every game. Learn at least three different types of dodges. • When you lose the ball, ride it. The close attack must ride and ride hard until the ball is past midfield. • Don't rush at a man when riding - particularly behind the goal. Force him to pass - force him in the direction where there is help. Talk all the time and run hard. The success

of an attack depends on their riding ability and their desire to have the ball. • Always remember that teamwork is the key to a good attack.

BE A STUDENT OF THE GAME

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Tips for Defense •Don't rush an attack man after he has caught the ball. If he is receiving a rather long pass and you are sure you can reach him before the ball, go after him, checking his stick and hitting him with your body. •As a pass is made to the man you are playing, move out to cover him as the ball is moving to him, so that you are in position as he catches it. Don't wait until he has caught the ball, and then move out on him. •Never take a step into a man while playing him on defense. •Once the attack man has the ball, worry him plenty by poke checking, etc., don't give much chance to look over his field, make him worry about you. Don't force or rush him however. There is a big difference between worrying a man and forcing or rushing him. Make the attack make the first move. •When not poking at the man with ball, keep your stick a little above the height of your attack man's shoulder. Don't ever carry it at your side, KEEP IT UP! •When your man hasn't got the ball, always play slightly to the ball side of him, so that you gain a step as he cuts toward the ball. If he cuts away from the ball, the pass must go over your head which leaves you in good position to intercept or check. •When your man hasn't got the ball, stand sideways to the man and ball. You must use split vision watching both man and ball. •There must be plenty of talk on defense, this is important. The following are the most important examples: a) The man on each side of the ball must let the man on the ball know if he is-backed up. b) If a man leaves to back up he must let the defense know he is leaving, so that they may shift. c) The man playing the ball must holler, "I've got-the ball". d) If a man cuts, the defense man playing him should holler "man cutting" so that he alerts the rest of the defense for a possible switch. e) If a switch is necessary, both men call "SWITCH". •If a man leaves to back up on a dodge, the whole defense slides a man, leaving the man farthest from the ball open. •Only in extreme cases, should the defense man on the crease leave to back up. Example: To stop a play that would end up in a score. •Never cross your feet while playing an attack man unless you are forced to run to keep up with him. •Never throw a ball just to get rid of it. •Always scoop a loose ball. Never draw it. If there is a crowd, go through and either kick it or scoop it up. •When you check, make your check short and hard, making your check across the man's forearm and following through with your body. Never raise your stick high to check. •If a man dodges you, keep after him. You should catch him as your backer comes in from the front. •Never pass a ball across in front of your goal. •If you are after a loose ball, but your attack man is ahead of you, press him hard if you cannot come up with the ball, but don't give him the opportunity to go around you. •After the man you are playing throws a ball, step back two steps quickly and be ready for a cut. Also always look in the direction of the ball as you drop off. Don't turn your back on the ball. •As the man you are playing starts a pass, check across his arms, but don't step in. A. If the ball is out front, and your man is behind the goal, play on the pipe of the cage on the side of the goal your man is on. B. If the ball is behind the goal and your man is behind also although without the ball, go behind with him. •If you ever switch, STAY WITH THAT MAN until your team gets the ball or you have to switch again. •Whey clearing the ball, as you catch the ball, circle away from your stick side if you are moving in to receive the pass. •Never let an attack man clamp your stick. If you are on the crease on a screen shot, stop it or catch it, if you can't do either then move so that your goalie can see it. •Once the other team has cleared the ball, all defense men must drop in fast, RUN HARD --THIS IS ONE TIME YOU CANNOT LOAF. •On clears, make all passes sharp, away from the (attack man) and, as a general rule, to the nearest open man. •On a clear, when making a pass to a man who is coming in to meet the ball throw at his face, so that he catches the ball in front of him, making it hard for a (attack man) to check him. •If the ball is rolling toward the midfield line, NEVER ALLOW your attack man to beat you to the ball. Be alert, use your stick to goose the ball to teammate. Don't let the attack man clamp your stick or lift up so ball goes under and through. Remember, if the ball is 5 yards away or less you can use your body for position. Don't hit from the rear and don't go offside.