Coach Speak
I’ve been crisscrossing the country covering college football for ESPN this fall. It’s a fun way to see America. We’ve had notable stops in Pullman, Washington, Boulder, CO, College Station, TX, Fayetteville, Arkansas, Starkville, MS, Clemson, SC, Pittsburgh, PA, Lawrence, KS, and Atlanta, GA. Our crew of Mark Jones, Louis Riddick and producer Kim Belton […]
The 3-3 Man Up Offense
The 3-3 man-up offense is a popular strategy used across all levels of lacrosse. It’s an effective way to exploit the extra man and create scoring opportunities. In this offense, there are three attackers positioned on the top of the offensive zone (referred to as “up top”) and three attackers positioned on the crease or […]
The Flat Break
The flat break refers to a specific type of fast break play that occurs when a team gains possession of the ball on defense and quickly transitions to offense. The objective of the flat break is to capitalize on the sudden change of possession and catch the opposing defense off guard, creating a numerical advantage […]
Setting the Pick
Setting a pick in lacrosse, also known as a “pick-and-roll” or “screen,” is a fundamental offensive play. It is designed to create space for a ball carrier or an off-ball player to either shoot, pass, or dodge past a defender. This the main premise behind the two man game. The mechanics of setting a pick […]
The Five Man
The “Five-Man” man-down defense is a defensive strategy used to defend against an extra-man offensive unit during a penalty situation. This defense is designed to create pressure on the ball while maintaining fluid rotations to cover passing lanes and potential shooting areas. It involves continuous movement and communication among defenders to disrupt the opposing team’s […]
Dissecting the 2-2
After a deep dive into the 1-4-1 were now shifting our focus to the 2-2. The 2-2 Offense is a structured offensive strategy that involves positioning players in a specific formation to create opportunities for scoring. The best part is that regardless of where you’re from, it’s the same front and back. This will be […]
The 10 Man Ride – Everyone’s Doing It, Should You?
The 10 Man Ride is a strategy that involves pressuring the opposing team’s clearing attempts. This has become very popular in recent years. Mainly because of the ability to force turnovers and create scoring opportunities. In a 10 Man Ride, all ten players including the goalie actively participate in the ride. A traditional ride typically […]
Defending the Invert
Defending the invert offense requires a coordinated team effort, effective communication, and an understanding of defensive principles. It can be very similar to how you play a two man game, but there are differences to be aware of. The invert offense involves an attackman or midfielder initiating the offense from behind the goal. This is […]
The Backer Zone and the NYiT Run
In the second installment of our Summer Coaching Series, we’re going to do a deep dive into the Backer Zone. Most teams regardless of level have some sort of zone defense in their arsenal, and here we will look at one specific type. The Backer Zone is a defensive strategy that is used to protect […]
Defending the Two Man Game
Over the last decade the shot clock has made offenses shift their mentality dramatically in how they attack defenses. You’ve seen it all week at the World Championships especially with Team Canada. Defending the two man game has become something that all defenses have to have a plan for because of this. Lacrosse has utilized […]
Improve Your Lacrosse Game in December
December is the loneliest month. Let’s take a look at December, and the time period between final exams and the first day of practice in January. “We don’t get a chance to be with the guys in December, because of finals,” said UNC Head Coach, Joe Breschi. “We hope to maintain through voluntary workouts what we’ve […]
Ted Lasso’s Guide to Coaching Lacrosse
I don’t watch much television as I’d rather wait to see what’s gaining traction amongst trusted friends. Then I can backtrack and destination watch. I did it with Game of Thrones during the pandemic. Recently I’ve been watching seasons 1 and 2 of Ted Lasso. I love this show. The casting and writing are elite. […]