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LACROSSE BASICS:SOME FUNDAMENTALS OF

PLAY

The photographs in this presentation were harvested from the internet without permission from the artists. This presentation may not be used for any purpose other than education.

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OFFENSE-SPECIFIC FUNDAMENTALS

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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. Carry2. Scoop3. Catch4. Shoot

• Throwing a ball into a 6’x6’ square HARD

5. Throw6. Feed

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GETTING OPEN WITH A V-CUT

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

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M MM

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A

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BASIC: AFTER PASSING THE BALL,

GO SOMEWHERE GOOD

Every pass should cause a shift of the whole offense.

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MMM

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MMM

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MMM

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MMM

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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!

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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

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M

DA

MD

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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.

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M

D1

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M

D1

1 2 3bang

D2

D2

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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

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A D AD

AD

Mthe box

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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 scoopsmack

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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

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D

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DG

AD

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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

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D

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DG

AD

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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

A G

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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

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ONE-FOUR-ONE BASIC

AM M

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Collapse for Top Shot

AM M

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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

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TWO-TWO-TWO BASIC

AM

MM

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Collapse for Top Shot

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M M

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Collapse for Back Door

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DEFENSE-SPECIFIC FUNDAMENTALS

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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

M M 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– NODE-ON-NOSE

• Finish the Hit

MMD D

BEATS HIS

MANM

MD

D

THE HOLETHE HOLE

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SLIDINGKEY: TALK AND HUSTLE

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M MM

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AD

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D D

BEATS HIS

MAN

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M MM

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AD

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D D

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M MM

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AD

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BEATS HIS

MAN

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AD

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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

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D2

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D1G

AD3

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D2

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D1G

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

– Once, twice, keep sliding

A D AD

AD

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AD

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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 scoopsmack

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GENERAL FUNDAMENTALS

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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

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M

x1

x3x2

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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 GRIP2. BUTT AND CORE3. SHOULDERS, CHEST, LATS4. 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.

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