Lacrosse IQ - Offense/Transition Defensive Concepts

That is how a skilled team scores team goals and possesses the ball well

Never take you eyes off the ball. Depending on location (direction determined by whether you're behind or up top) you should always roll to get open because you will immediately gain a step on your defender.

Because you have an extra man and someone is open for a good shot! Pass pass pass.

the side with the fewest defenders will almost always be the side opposite of where the pass just came from unless the passer cuts though right after he passes. This is another example of forward thinking!

The ball moves faster than any one person.

midfielder should never stop running in a straight line between the boxes and pass down the side to an open attackman in the alley. Attackman should be calling for the ball and stretching the field to open up passing lanes and create long slides.

when more than one defender is on you (in normal 6-on-6 play), a teammate is open somewhere. Run to an open space to find him - he might be in position for a quick feed for a shot. Teammates need to recognize and move to open spaces to get ball from doubled player.

Always dodge to shoot. If it's not there, pass on to the next player. If he's covered, keep the ball as to maintain possession - remember, treat the ball like Gold!

Because the defender has left his man open behind him. The offensive player should follow the slide and fill space behind him to call for the ball. The feet should never be still!

The 2 slide should leave the person who just passed you the ball open, so a quick roll back pass will allow them to re-dodge to the side of the field that just opened up, and will be going against the overall direction of the defense.

the #5 player will take the up top position and the cut could lead to a wide open player on the crease. If not open the midfielder should continue to the X to allow a second cut if there is a 6V5 situation and if there is a shot to back up! Possession is crucial!

maintaining possession off a transition is crucial to controlling the tempo of the game!

unless an odd-man rush develops, the ball should always be taken behind, whether passed or carried, where the remainder of the penalty should be killed. the coaches will say "yellow.. Kill Kill possess!"

"one hard move and go!" was how I was taught. The more time you take, the more time the defense has to set up. By dodging immediately upon receiving the ball, your defender has to change directions faster, and the slide may not be set up, or two people slide to you, leaving even more people open for an easy dump pass.

A Midfielder

Because that is where the slide came from!

B. before A. Allows dodging player to immediately go and not give the defense time to set up. This is great off-ball fore-thinking and ultimately gives your teammate the best opportunity!
A. Allows dodger to have space to dodge off a squared up/ settled play. If you feel you are in the way, you are! Give your teammate space by taking your defender away. If your defender doesn't follow you, you may be open for a pass and quick shot from inside the offense. Cut all the way through and fill the back side of the offensive set.

Receiving player should also read slide and cut to the appropriate lane to open up a pass and shot attempt!

First option is normal and Ideal..(if slide is late from point man, Shoot! when you get twelve yards out), If slide from pt. is on time, pass to pt. man.
Third option can be used when diagonal defender is cheating up way too much and has his stick TO THE OUTSIDE so it is very difficult for him to intercept the pass. Never, ever pass down the side on a fast break as it kills the break instantly.

The aim is to take the defenders as far away as possible and make their slides longer.