The Importance of Time Outs

Lacrosse is a game of runs. Momentum can swiftly shift, and strategic decisions play a pivotal role. Timeouts stand as a crucial tool in a coach’s arsenal. This explores the significance of timeouts in the game. This will dive into their strategic utility and provide insights into when coaches should strategically deploy them to maximize […]

The Art of the Scout

In the competitive realm of lacrosse, success often hinges on meticulous preparation and a deep understanding of the opponent’s strengths, weaknesses, and strategic tendencies. Scouting an opponent is a nuanced and crucial aspect of game preparation, requiring a multifaceted approach that combines technological advancements, in-depth analysis, and strategic foresight. These are some of the best […]

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 […]

Building Leadership from Within a Lacrosse Team

Lacrosse leadership

Leadership is absolutely crucial to success in lacrosse. There’s an old saying that has always been somewhat prophetic: “On bad teams, no one leads. On good teams, the coaches lead. On great teams, the players lead.” I don’t know who said it first, but I’ve found it to be as accurate a statement as any […]

The Pregame Playlist – What Gets You Going?

The pregame ritual in lacrosse serves as a crucial moment for players to enter the field with focus, energy, and a competitive mindset. Music plays a pivotal role in shaping the ambiance, boosting motivation, and setting the tone for athletes before they engage in the intensity of competition. This article delves into the selection of […]

How To Shoot Your Shot

Shoot Like The Best Shooter - Ryan Brown

Lacrosse, known for its speed, agility, and finesse, hinges significantly on the shooting techniques of its players. The term is used throughout all sports, “Shooters Gotta Shoot!” Effective shooting mechanics are a culmination of intricate movements and coordinated actions, involving the sequencing of the body, precise hand positioning, and proficient stick manipulation. This article looks […]

College Closures and Lacrosse

In the dynamic realm of collegiate athletics, the closure of colleges and universities has become a poignant reality, casting profound implications on the vibrant tapestry of college lacrosse. We have seen this in recent years and there is no sign of it slowing down. These closures, stemming from multifaceted challenges, reverberate far beyond the halls […]

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 […]

The Double Lock Defense

The “Double Lock” defense is a specialized defensive strategy in lacrosse that focuses on containing an opponent’s top offensive player, particularly an attackman or midfielder who is considered a significant scoring threat. This strategy involves assigning two defenders to lock off and closely mark the targeted player, effectively reducing their impact on the game. The […]

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 […]

How To Break The 10 Man

10 man ride

Breaking a 10-man ride and successfully clearing the ball is a challenging task that requires excellent communication, precise passing, and coordinated movement. A 10-man ride is a high-pressure defensive strategy where the opposing team applies intense pressure all over the field to prevent the clearing team from advancing the ball into the offensive zone. Here’s […]