Box Lacrosse Offences

Individual and Team

Individual Characteristics

What makes for a good offensive player? Physical Attributes Technical Attributes Cognitive Attributes

Key Physical Attributes

Offensive stance – balls of feet , shoulder width apart with knees flexed.

Head is centered above the lower body Hands are up in the “triple-threat” position Jab Steps – Forward, Backward, Angles Changing Direction and Speed Faking and Cutting Fitness – Ozzy to discuss (Prevent Injuries,

Improve Performance, Mentally Tough)

Technical Attributes

LooseBalls – Mindset, proper technique. Passing –position, midpoint top hand, step,weight

transfer, forward stick motion, wrist snap. Catching – relaxed grip and top arm, absorb. Shooting – the stick, pocket type, quick release,

proper side, in range,gathering,front hip and planting. Ball Handling – a magicians wand. Hold with fingers so wrists can rotate freely Small,medium and large cradle

Cognitive Attributes

Communication Floor Awareness – know where the ball is Decision Making – don’t catch and then think Game Sense – anticipating Heart and Hustle - LooseBalls Staying in the moment – Whats Next? Preparation – Individual/Team. Release,Relax,Revisit,Refocus,Regroup.

Fundamental Technical Skills

Practice – Practice - Practice Become a good ball-handler Learn the “triple-threat” position Catching,Cradling, Passing, Shooting One on One – inside slide or bull dodge, outside slide (use

your inside elbow/forearm to push defender behind you), inside and outside spins, swim moves, face dodge, split dodge, stick deception, body and stick fakes, stutter steps, posting up.

Movement with and without the ball – THE “V” and “C” cuts. Pick and Rolls – vertical stick position –NOT HORIZONTAL

Offensive Mistakes

Lazy Offensive players that allow a team to be scored on in transition.

Not knowing how to pick and/or use a pick Timing of cuts Looking for the perfect pass Getting stick checked Unforced Turnovers – Bad Pass or Catch

Individual Technical Situations

How to get in “Triple-Threat” Position when catching a pass on the perimeter:

OFF-BALL PLAYERS ARE KEY!!!!!!!!! Situation 1: Plenty of space between receiver

of pass and defender. Situation 2:Tightly guarded with the defender

up close on the receiver. Situation 3: After a pass what options does a

player have.

Situation 1

Catch the ball in a position to shoot. Moving to the ball (anticipate), You want to have arms extended with hands high, gathering the ball upon receipt (not excessively cradling), front hip is driving toward shooting target, eye contact with a spot or square in the mesh, hop step or side shuffle to plant, good shoulder turn rotation and follow through.

Situation 2

Jab Step to create space ,Receiver of pass should then move toward the ball and catch it and extend the inside foot with back to the defender and protecting the ball with the body. Now you can go to your one on one repertoire.

Situation 3

The majority of time you will not have the ball Try to get open for an easy pass and shot Cut to the ball for a give and go Go set a pick on the ball or off the ball Run off a pick set by a teammate Set a screen for a teammate V cut, C Cut, Jab step, Post up Engage a defender to tie them up (seal) Clear out of the way

Common Picking Errors

Important Pick Elements

Make contact with (not illegal) the defender that your trying to block. If you don’t and are not tight, the defender will simply slide around you.

Be Strong. Feet wide and plant with a firm base. The degree of cross check will be dictated by the officials.

The angle, or direction, of the pick and the timing of the pick are probably the most important and overlooked factors in teaching.

Stick Positioning.

Offensive Positioning

Creaseman – Play low and in the corners like a winger in Hockey. Looks to stretch the floor from the defensive end or bench. Crashes on missed shots. Presses on turnovers. Great off ball. Like inside.

Cornerman/Shooter – Quarterback style and likes to handle the ball. Always a threat to shoot or go one-on-one. Love 2 man game. Defensive safety.

Pointman or X – Similar to cornerman except that he will dictate which is strongside.

Building A Team

Determine the type of system - Fast Break-Run and Gun, Slow down methodical attack, 3-2 or 2-3 hawks, Full Floor Press, etc

6-6-6 Theory The top 6 are responsible for 80% of your

scoring Middle 6 have strong fundamental skills The last 6 Complement the top 6 Find a couple goalies

Goal Setting

Team Goals – mission statement Process Goals – the actions involved Performance Goals – a measurement Outcome Goals – results orientated

Offensive Tactics

3 on 2`s – Ball Middle, Weakside pass Motion Offense v Man-to-Man Set Offense v Man-to-Man Triangle Offense v Man-to-Man Patterned Offense v Man-to-Man Zone Offense v Zone Defense All designed to get players open, to allow for

plays, to control the tempo, to create quality scoring chances.

3 on 2

Proper side of floor Ball in the middle of the floor – always (much easier

for defenders to split the middle and opposite side offensive player if not in middle)

Best option is weakside pass as middle can receive return pass without catching across the body.

Create 2 on 1 If defenders are spread and not in an I formation than

middle should be able to walk down middle of floor or make easy pass to players defender who has left to check ball

Good angle down floor and to net by wings.

Motion Offence

Motion offense teaches kids to play the game and learn how to read the defense.

Freelance, Creative movement is encouraged.

V – Cuts Fill and Replace Ball Movement Infinite movement with proper spacing 15’-20’

feet apart and timing of V cuts.

Set Offense

Strong side – Weak Side ( 2-3) or (3-2) 1-3-1 Set 1-4 Stack 2-1-2 High Post Plays

Triangle Offense

Tex Winter introduced system to Phil Jackson Features a sideline triangle and a weakside

“two-man game”. Extremely effective against man-to-man

defenses. Similar to patterned offense in that players

always try to fill the 5 spots. Options are unlimited

The Triangle Defined

The offense uses a system of defensive recognition from a sideline triangle and a two man game on the opposite side of the floor. It is based on sound principles, floor spacing and execution of fundamentals. It allows for outstanding movement within a controllable structure. Defenses get very preoccupied that allows for great one on one penetration and lightning fast 2 man game attacks. Every player is involved at all times and most know the options from each spot. Spacing is 15-20’ which forces defenses to spread out. Its difficult to disrupt as any entry point of the ball whether by pass or running can produce the formation of the triangle. It allows for east-west attack of defences as opposed to the traditional 2 man and 3 man game north south sets.

Patterned Offense

Players run a certain pattern of screens, cuts, passes.

There is continuity or continuos flow from side to side.

Teams may use when they don`t have a strong inside game.

Sets up mismatches Can become predictable

Zone Offense

Zone defense causes spacial problems for offense Fast break What type of zone -2-1-2 or 1-3-1? Patience Crash Net Stretch Zone – Spacing, Outside Shots Attack Gaps – 2 on 1`s at corners Ball Low – Backside Cutters through lanes Screens , Seals Set Plays

Critical Components For Any Offense

Practice, Practice, Practice Fundamentals, Fundamentals, Fundamentals Equipment – Age Appropriate – In Good Repair Passing – Proper Technique Catching – Proper Technique Shooting – Stick Position, Outside, Inside, Fakes Ball Handling Moving – Cut and Replace, Picks, Rolls, Screens,

Pinches, Seals. Floor Spacing – Timing