Lacrosse Program Overview: Learn and Develop the Game of Lacrosse

1. Program Overview “WE Grow the game, WE Play the game, WE Honor the game”

2. History of Lacrosse • Lacrosse or variations played by Indians, especially tribes throughout Upstate NY, Great Lakes, Canada • One of the oldest Team Sports in North America • Game could last days, involve 1000’s of participants, goals could be 500 yards to miles apart

3. Basic Field Layout and Dimensions

4. X A1 D1 GLE G A3 D3 D2 A2 D4 Ally M1 D5 D6 M3 M2 Point

5. Basics of the Game • Offense uses movement, passing, shooting, dodging to score goals • Game is played in each half of the field as a 6 on 6 + a goalie (half field set – 3 Middies, 3 Attack vs 3 Middies, 3 Defense, 1 Goalie) • Can only have 6 players on the offensive side of field at a time • Play is usually run by 4 quarters or 2 halves • Play begins with a face off at the center and resumes with a face off after each score (technically one team may possess the ball the entire game) • Players can move behind the goal (usually a great place to attack the goal from) – known as the X

6. Objectives and Concepts Lacrosse uses motion and off-ball movement to create good shot opportunities (motion is similar to that of basketball) Fastest game on two feet – can’t be fast if standing still! Cuts and dodges create space for passing, receiving, or to free space for a shot Transition offense or defense is important in lacrosse (fast breaks) Team that wins the most ground balls, and face offs – usually will win the game Cutting, pick and rolls, give and go, and dodges on and away from ball create confusion for the defense and allow the offense to attack. Defense uses man to man or zone defenses

7. Players Goalie – Field General of D, Defends the goal, Makes Saves, Starts offense, Directs and communicates to defense • Most important position on the field • Find your BEST athletes – quick feet, great hand-eye coordination, great reaction and fast hands • Physically and Mentally Tough (Great attitudes) • Strong Leaders, Communicators (talkers), loud voice • Ability to accept physical pain • Short Term Memory – Gets over mistakes quickly • Most Coachable Kid on the field

8. Players Goalie–Fundamentals / Skill Development 3rd - 4th Grade • Teach them to see the ball first • Proper starting position and movement towards ball (Stay in front of player with ball) • Use tennis balls in practice shooting drills • Developing a warm-up routine (catch tennis balls, catch lacrosse balls (hand only), hand-eye coordination • Protection and proper equipment • Positive communication and coaching (always) – build confidence, kids that want to play the position • Begin teaching mental aspect of letting goals go – find something they did right on each goal

9. Players Goalie–Fundamentals / Skill Development 5th - 6th Grade • Teach Top Hand to the Ball • Begin working to walk the arc • Use tennis balls for high speed shooting (get comfortable getting hit in the body) • Developing a warm-up routine (same as earlier – add footwork drills, reaction time on wall, stick skills), clearing passes • Begin talking more to defenders – call out ball location • Positive coaching with some correction (always precede critiques with something positive first) • Keep developing mental aspect

10. Players Goalie–Fundamentals / Skill Development 7th - 8th Grade • Teach athletic movements, pick up the ball first (eyes) • Begin working to walk the arc • Use tennis balls and lacrosse balls in shooting drills • Developing a warm-up routine (same as earlier – add making saves with small stick, tapping ball with shaft, footwork ladders) • Begin talking more to defenders – call out ball location, call for basic slides, stick checks, cutters • Positive coaching with some correction (always precede critiques with something positive first) • Keep developing mental aspect

11. Players Long Pole Defenders – Play primarily in defensive end of field, Protect Goal, transition offense, clearing • Excellent Stick Skills – Long Pole defenders should have some of the best stick skills on team (excellent stick skills before use long pole!) • Great Athletes with good open field speed • Physically and Mentally tough • Aggressive – willing to stick nose into a pile and not afraid of physical contact – tenacious with never give up attitudes

12. Players Defenders – Fundamentals/Skill Development (3rd - 4th) • Play with short sticks – teach break down position, footwork – keep man in front of you (stay with Man – not chasing the ball) • Pistols (Ball you Man) • Develop passing, catching, cradling, ground ball scooping • Develop awareness to get ball to outside (don’t throw passes to the middle) • Teach passing the ball ahead vs running ball ahead • Warm up – Wall Ball Drills, longer pass / catch • Discourage Double Teaming at this age

13. Players Long Pole Defenders – Fundamentals/Skill Development (5th-6th) • Play with short sticks – for all defenders at this level – stay focused on playing D with feet and hips. • Focus on Approach/Breakdown and Recovery – All areas • Defensive positioning (field and body) • For high skill (6th) – can use long stick (no greater than height of player) • Develop passing, catching, cradling, ground ball scooping • Develop awareness to get ball to outside (don’t throw passes to the middle) • Teach passing the ball ahead vs running ball ahead • Warm up – Wall Ball Drills, longer pass / catch • Introduce Team Defense Concepts – Man-Down • Teach proper stick checks (no one handed)

14. Players Long Pole Defenders – Fundamentals/Skill Development (7th-8th) • Move up to long sticks – continue to coach playing defense with feet, body position • Develop Long Toss Passing / catching • Develop awareness and vision to transition (D to O), involved in fast breaks • Develop abilities as team defense to execute 2 slides consistently when needed • Introduce some zone defense concepts (do not mix man and zone with more complex defenses) • Introduce Team Defense Concepts – Man-Down • Teach proper body checking (safety, defenseless players, what is a foul) • Practice play with short sticks (no heads)

15. Players Midfield – Also known as Middie, Plays offense and defense (transition) • Athletes with Good Open Field Speed, Change of Direction quickness • Great Endurance – must run length of field for entire shift • Good field vision • Great passers, shooters (especially on the run) • Decision Making, Vision, Passing, Catching, Stick Protection Skills are more important then size, speed

16. Players Midfield – Fundamentals/Skill Development 3rd - 4th • Passing / catching – in box / triangle formations – both hands (3 players, 4 players) • Play small group games – 2v1, 3v2, 4v3 • Use progression to build skills (GB’s, GB’s to dodge, GB’s to dodge, pass • Teach Give and Go • Teach proper mechanics of shooting, passing catching • Use tennis balls to teach catching • Endurance runs (sprint, jog, sprint, jog – transition) • Basics of face off play (importance of wing positions)

17. Players Midfield – Fundamentals/Skill Development 5th/6th • Passing / catching – on the run • Shooting on the run • Both hands (Right/Left) – transfer cradle/stick priority • Shooting drills (Sitting, Knees, Standing, Running) • Quick Stick shooting on the island • Defense skills – transition game (back to the hole-mark up), Ball You Man (head on a swivel) • Talking – calling help from defense • Skeleton circle offense passing (20-30 sec – all the way in both directions – no drops • Fast Break fundamentals for Middies (drive the cage and draw the slide); get the ball to the point man in the “L”

18. Players Midfield – Fundamentals/Skill Development 7th/8th • Skeleton offense (Circle, 1-3-2) – passing, catching (off ball movement, cut to a post, opposite (reverse field) (Spin ball – both directions/10-15 sec/no drops) • Small ball games (Setting Picks, Pick and Roll (look behind), Dodge and Dump, Feeding cutters (2v1, 3v2 from set offense) • All fundamental skills at full speed on run (Mid Dodges-Split/Face/Roll/Bull) • Proper stick position for receiving ball (call for the ball-Help) / Protection of stick/ball, transfer cradles • Teach full arsenal of checks (proper body checks) • Defense footwork – using short sticks • Working Defense w/ long poles / wing play face off

19. Players Attack – Play in offensive end of field, Attack the goal, scoring, feeding, Defensive Transition (Riding) • Excellent Stick Skills – developing fakes, hiding ball • Must play in tight situations surrounding by defenders – strong stick protection skills • Not Fastest but quick first step – strong dodgers with change of direction • Accurate Passers, Shooters (not necessarily the fastest shots) • Soft Hands

20. Players Attack – Fundamentals/Skill Development 3rd – 4th • Stick protection, cradling, ball control • Passing, Catching, Shooting, Ground Balls • Play 2v1, 3v2 games • Passing formations from triangle (clear, follow and fill) • Cutting to goal • Wall Ball drills • Use Tennis Balls for teaching catching • Teach soft hands, quick feet (loose grips on stick-when not engaged – tighten grip inside) • Give and Go concepts • Find open space on the island (what is island) • Shooting in close – away from goalie’s stick (bounce)

21. Players Attack – Fundamentals/Skill Development 5th – 6th • Dodge, Draw and Dump, Setting a pick/rolling away • Stick protection skills – hand transfers • Changing levels (separation) – getting hands free/head up • Attacking from X • Initiation Dodges and Finishing Dodges (introduction) • Fast Break (setting the point, look to shoot, diagonals / slow break (get the ball to X) – point calls the break • Skeleton formations (rotation to cut when middies have ball) • Cuts to the island (cut and clear through) • Basics of riding

22. Players Attack – Fundamentals/Skill Development 7th – 8th • Small ball games – Give and Go, Pick and Roll, Dodge and Dump, Feeding middie cutters • Reversing field – getting through X (attacking opposite) • Roll Dodge, Rocker Dodge (one handed cradles-stick protection on attack dodges), inside rolls • Stick transfers on attack dodges • Skeleton Offense (Circle, 1-3-2) – spin/bump the ball (same as middies) • Fast Break transitions – setting the point, Slow Breaks (get through X and immediately attack the opposite side) • More advanced riding (using sideline as double Def)

23. Players • Specialists – At higher levels, Long Stick Middie (LSM) – plays as an extra long stick on defensive end of field, breaks out and begins transition, comes off field in offensive half field sets for an offensive skilled middie • Face-Off – sometimes called a FOGO (Face off – Get off) – used as specialist to win face offs and possess the ball or start immediate fast breaks • Man Up or Man Down Teams – groups of players who specialize in Man Up situations to score or Man Down situations to kill off penalty

24. Goals of Kenston Lacrosse • To grow the game, play the game and honor the game! • Teach the game of lacrosse to youth/middle school players with a cradle to grave approach. • Have Fun! • Build respect, knowledge for the game, develop athletes, graduate players that are developed to play at the high school level. • Compete at high level consistently as one of top programs in Northeast OH. • Compete consistently in state tournament and be considered one of top 10 programs in the state of OH. • Be able to compete in All-Star or off-season tourneys with our own teams from Kenston.

25. Goals of Kenston Lacrosse • Team Philosophies at Youth Levels • 3,4 Fundamentals, Skill Development, FUN • Exchange, Cradling, Stick and Ball protection, passing and catching (stationary and with a little movement), shooting (stationary and with a little movement), ground balls and scooping, running through ball, stick checks (focus on poke check – not swinging sticks), defense – break down position • Face-offs – basic stance – teach clamp move • Have fun – every practice should end with something fun, every game should learn from mistakes but coaches must have patience that the result (win or lose) is not what we are after at this age. Did they learn something and have fun.

26. Goals of Kenston Lacrosse • Team Philosophies at Youth Levels • 5,6 – Have Fun! • Fundamental skill development – same skills as earlier years but being able to perform them on the run (consistently at 70-80% speed), occasionally at full speed. • Begin introducing more advanced concepts (offensive sets, defensive slides – if we can execute one slide consistently, and a 2nd slide occasionally – we will be a very good defense) • Keys at this level are to get MORE (LOTS) of movement away from the ball • Cutting to get open (V-Cuts, C-Cuts away from ball) • Non-Dominant Hand passing and catching, shooting • Face –Off – begin teaching moves (tops, clamp and rake, punches) • No Long Poles – Defense – teach to play defense with feet and hips (not with stick) • Passing to create motion – dodging to create space for shots • Fast Break / Unsettled Transition game

27. Goals of Kenston Lacrosse • Team Philosophies at Youth Levels • Middle School – Have Fun! • Fundamental skill development – same skills as earlier years but being able to perform them on the run consistently at full speed • Non-Dominant hand skills – getting comfortable with having stick in the correct hand and the correct time • Playing with your eyes – see the field, see the cuts and movement away from ball happening at game speed • Dodging to create motion (Attack and Middie Dodge packages) • Offensive and Defensive sets, packages (1-4, 2-2, 1-3, Man up formations, transition from one O-Set to another on the fly • Shooting on the run, shooting in tight space (quick sticks) • Unsettled and transition situations in half field or full field situations

28. Communication is a MUST! • Ball (I’ve got Ball) – lets teammates know that you are taking the ground ball • Ball Down – lets teammates know that ball is on ground • Release – lets teammates know that you have the ball • One More (“O”) – lets teammates know you are open and to make one more pass in the same direction. • Help Right/Help Left – “D” Adjacent Slide Package • Double – Lets teammate know a double is coming

29. Communication is a MUST! • Cutter – Lets teammates know that a an opponent is cutting through to goal • Hot – Lets designated defenders know to slide to a dodging player with the ball that is immediate threat to the goal – Player nearest ball slides with body • Goalie Calls – Call outs for location of Ball (Top Right, Top Center, Top Left, Bottom Right, Behind (X), Bottom Left • Picks (Fight through or switch on D)

30. Motion Offense-Objectives • Keep Field Balanced in Offense • Create Confusion for Defense • Creates Multiple Options for Pass, Shoot, Dodge • Give Flexibility to Offense • Create Mismatch Opportunities

31. Motion Offense-Sets • Other Terms • X – Man behind the goal at position X • Crease Man – Player in motion in front of goal or crease • The Island – Area directly in front of goal/crease – refers to area extending about 5-7 yards from pipes, right to left. This is area where crease players will operate (5 x 5) • GLE – Goal Line Extended – refers to line extending out from the pipe of goal to sideline – wing attacks should be in front of goal line extended about 5-6 yards and off island

32. Motion Offense-Sets • Other Terms • Bump it or Spin it – refers to rapid movement of the ball around the perimeter (outside) of the offensive set • Dodge – movement with ball to create space or separation from opponent designed to open up shot or pass, or force defense to slide creating opportunity to pressure the defense • V-Cut – off ball movement to move towards a defender and rapidly away (in shape of V) to create separation and opportunity to receive pass

33. Motion Offense-Sets • Other Terms • C Cut – cut around a pick or around defender to create space. Cut is made in shape of a C for quick open up looks • Roll Back – a reverse direction of ball carrier if pass or dodge is blocked. Used to create separation from defender to reverse the ball direction quickly to the other side of the field. • Ball side – referring to the side of the field ball is currently located • High Side or Low Side (wing) – from the goal- high top of box, low side – low wing of box

34. Motion Offense-Sets • 300 (1-3-2) • Our sets are always counted starting behind the goal at X • 1 attack at X, 2 attack and 1 middie make up middle row, 2 middies make up top row • To keep field balanced (2 middies always rotating to keep top row balanced and protect against transition

35. Motion Offense-Sets • 300 (1-3-2) – What you will hear from coaches • Set Call – 300 • Balance up (if we see open spots – we will call to balance up) • Find Space (keep motion running, off ball movement to create and find open space which allows for passes, shots, dodges) • Play with your eyes – see the field, get your head up and see the whole field, see the back side. Dodge/Pass/Pass/Dodge

36. A1 A3 A2 M1 M3 M2

37. A1 A3 A2 M1 The Island M3 M2

38. Motion Offense-Sets • 300 – Other Concepts and Rules • Set Up – This offensive set creates 2 offensive triangles that work together to create motion and confuse the defense • Ball movement in 300 – Move ball around perimeter • Use V-Cuts to support the ball carrier and give open looks to pass • Crease man DOES NOT stand still – he must work the island by mirroring the ball to give the ball carrier space to dodge and find open opportunities on island for quick cuts and shots

39. Motion Offense-Sets • 300 – Other Concepts and Rules • Rule 1 – ALWAYS maintain Field Balance • Imagine a string connecting all the players in the triangle • When one member of the triangle cuts through, the other players in that triangle MUST rotate and follow to maintain Field Balance • Rule 2 – Rotate when the ball is passed from one triangle to the other • Rule 3 – When one player dodges – BOTH triangles rotate (creates rapid motion and confusion forcing defense decisions to slide)

40. Motion Offense-Sets • 300 – Other Concepts and Rules • Rule 4 – Dodge – Pass – Pass – Dodge – If a player dodges, a good defense will slide to pick up the player – this is a good opportunity for two passes which will reverse the field and give the second receiver an opportunity to dodge and shoot. This is general rule but if the first dodge produces separation from defender and defense chooses NOT to slide – then shot may be open without additional passes

41. Motion Offense-Sets • 400 (1-4-1) – sometimes called a Diamond • Our sets are always counted starting behind the goal at X • 1 attack at X, 2 attack and 2 middies make up middle row, 1 middie up top • To keep field balanced (1 middie MUST always rotating to keep top balanced and protect against transition • In this set – if ball is lost – Attack MUST ride hard and aggressive all the way to midfield line to give other middies time to recover and shut down fast break

42. Motion Offense-Sets • 400 (1-4-1) – What you will hear from coaches • Set Call – 400 • Balance up (if we see open spots – we will call to balance up) • Find Space (keep motion running, off ball movement to create and find open space which allows for passes, shots, dodges) • Play with your eyes – see the field, get your head up and see the whole field, don’t forget to see the back side as well

43. A1 A3 M2 A2 M3 M1

44. A1 A3 M2 A2 M3 The Island M1

45. Motion Offense-Sets • 400 – Other Concepts and Rules • Set Up – This offensive set creates a diamond perimeter with 2 crease players that use picks, c cuts and movement around goal to confuse defense (Horizontal “O” with feeds from the wings to picking crease players) • Ball movement in 400 – Move ball around perimeter • Use V-Cuts to support the ball carrier and give open looks to pass – Receiver must create movement towards ball carrier to allow for shorter passes, then roll away from defense • This offense set uses dodges to generate motion and get defense to react (wheels) • Many times in a 400 the open space will be created on the back side as a dodge pulls defenders to overload on one side leaving large spots of open space to the back side (This is why Dodge, Pass, Pass, Dodge works so effectively in a 400)

46. Motion Offense-Sets • 400 – Other Concepts and Rules • Rule 1 – ALWAYS maintain Field Balance • Rule 2 – Attack MUST ride hard and tight if possession is lost to give time for downfield middies to recover and shut off fast break • Rule 3 – When one player dodges – BOTH triangles rotate (creates rapid motion and confusion forcing defense decisions to slide)

47. Motion Offense-Sets • 400 – Other Concepts and Rules • Rule 4 – Dodge – Pass – Pass – Dodge – If a player dodges, a good defense will slide to pick up the player – this is a good opportunity for two passes which will reverse the field and give the second receiver an opportunity to dodge and shoot or look for feed. This is general rule but if the first dodge produces separation from defender and defense chooses NOT to slide – then shot may be open without additional passes

48. Motion Offense-Sets • 400 – Other Concepts and Rules • Rule 5 – Many times the best initial dodges in this offense set come from X or Top Middie. Always dodge towards center and then down the ally towards the pipe (NOT down the sideline)

49. Motion Offense-Sets • 200 (2-2-2) • Our sets are always counted starting behind the goal at X • 2 attack behind goal-corners, 1 attack and 1 middie on island, 2 middies up top at corners • To keep field balanced (rotate on dodges)

50. Motion Offense-Sets • 200 (2-2-2) – What you will hear from coaches • Set Call – 200 • Balance up (if we see open spots – we will call to balance up) • Find Space (keep motion running, off ball movement to create and find open space which allows for passes, shots, dodges) • Play with your eyes – see the field, get your head up and see the whole field, don’t forget to see the back side as well