Offense in women’s lacrosse is truly amazing.
It’s fast and constantly evolving.
It’s simple, yet complex.
When it comes down to it, there is usually 1 of 4 things going on.
And at the end of the day, it’s about principles and fundamentals for an offense to be great.
Let’s cover the fundamentals of offense today.
SETS
Sets refer to the formations or alignments that players take on the field.
Clearly, the most common set in women’s lacrosse is a 3-2-2 (3 midfielders, 2 high attackers, and 2 low attackers.)
There is also a 2-4-1 set, where there are 2 midfielders up top, 2 players who move down and to the inside of the 8 meter with 2 others players at the elbow position and 1 player down at the X position.
Stacked sets are where players gather up top on – or a particular side – to create isolation matchups. Players “stack.”
Sets examples:
- 3-2-2
- 2-4-1
- Stacked
The choice of a set can influence the types of plays that can be set to run and how the defense must position themselves to prevent the threat.
Sets can be free play or designed to set up a specific play.
Or to start a system.
First, let’s talk about plays.
PLAYS
Plays are simply movement sequences designed to achieve a result.
Plays are designed to achieve a result: to score.
Plays in lacrosse are pre-designed sequences of movements, cuts, feeds, passes, or iso’s intended to create scoring opportunities.
Plays require total team execution to be successful.
They are typically rehearsed and executed in specific situations, like settled offenses, man-up situations, or when defensive opportunities are observed by players or coaches.
Plays give structure and strength to strong offensive teams.
Once again, plays are designed for a result – to score!
SYSTEMS
Systems are probably the least discussed in women’s lacrosse.
An offensive system is an approach to the way the offense operates – it goes beyond a play.
Systems encompass the overall strategy and philosophy guiding how a team plays offensively.
For example, when you run a motion offense, it is a system.
It keeps going, it keeps running – when run effectively.
This is much different from “a play.”
A play is executed – it works or it doesn’t.
A system keeps going.
This includes the style of play, such as fast-paced transition offense or a more methodical settled offense that can transition into a system of sequenced movements.
Systems dictate how players should move and react in various game scenarios.
Some systems allow for creativity and freedom – as they keep running.
Systems are the “holy grail” of lacrosse offense.
FREE PLAY
Finally, we have free play.
Free play refers to unstructured, spontaneous play where players rely on their instincts, creativity, and understanding of the game rather than following specific plays or sets.
Free play should’t be completely unstructured though, it should operate on offensive principles (such as spacing, formations, communications, speed of play, etc.)
In free play, players have the freedom to make decisions based on the flow of the game, which can lead to unpredictable and dynamic offensive scoring opportunities.
Free play encourages adaptability and quick thinking, allowing players to exploit defensive weaknesses as they arise.
This requires high lax IQ, vision, awareness, and team mentality.
WHY THIS MATTERS
When you understand the basic concepts of how effective offenses operate, you can dominate your competition.
Women’s lacrosse offense comes down to:
- Sets
- Plays
- Systems
- Free Play
When you’re playing lacrosse on offense, you’re doing 1 of these 4 things.
Which one is most effective?
It depends.
Coach Scott is the creator of Disruptive Lacrosse and a high school girls lacrosse coach specializing in dodging, speed, footwork, and player development.
With a background in strength & conditioning and movement science, he brings a unique, high-performance approach to training the modern female lacrosse athlete.
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