Lacrosse Offense 101

Lacrosse is a team sport with four main positions, attackmen, midfielders, defensemen, and goalie. The balance of aggressive attacking play and solid defensive play is what makes the game so fun to watch and play.

There are many different offensive formations in lacrosse that teams can use depending on their style of play and the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing team. Some of these formations are better suited for attack than others, but the goal is always to create open scoring opportunities.

When putting together an offense it is important to focus on the fundamentals of passing, catching and shooting. Having the ability to read the defense is also crucial. A good catcher will be able to quickly see the defense and make adjustments on the fly, while a great shooter can put the ball on net from anywhere on the field.

A good offensive coach will look to incorporate both 1v1 and 2man game into their practice schedule. 2man games tend to have higher efficiencies than isolation (1v1) due to the fact that they are harder for defenses to slide to. 2man games also allow players to stretch the defense more, creating bigger skip lanes and more scoring opportunities.

Another key aspect of an offense is the ability to ride and get the ball back after a turnover. This can be done by taking a hard shot or a fake that forces the defense to slide and open up room for an easier pass to the goal.

During defensive play it is important for all players to stay connected and communicate with each other. This is especially true for the defensemen who must work together to cover all areas of the field. Communication can be as simple as calling out potential threats or coordinating slides. It can also be as complex as a full-team meeting before every faceoff where the defense discusses their role and how they are going to play together.

In lacrosse, like in many sports, the defensive players have a number of responsibilities. Defensemen need to stop shots, scoop ground balls, and protect the crease area. They must also be prepared to move up to support the attack if necessary.

The crease is the circle around the goal that is only accessible by the goalie and the defensive players. The goalie is only allowed 4 seconds in the crease after a save, and some teams take advantage of this by clearing the ball right away.

A team is allowed four long sticks (6 foot sticks) on the field at one time and they are usually used by the defensemen and the LSM (long stick midfielder). The defensemen need to be positioned closer to the goal matched up with the attackmen, while the LSM will be toward the top of the box matched up with the opposing midfielders. Both need to be prepared to run and jump for loose balls as well as make good reads and decisions on the ball.