The Basics of Offense in Women’s Lacrosse Greg Danto Assistant Women’s Coach, George Mason University

About me High school player High School coach Reservoir (4yr) Mt. Hebron (4yr) Club Coach M&D 2016 Black (3yr) College Coach George Mason University (2yr)

What I’d like to cover An interactive look into some basic principles of offense beginning with transition and ending with the re-defend, and everything in between.

What are three things we should be looking for in our fast break? Fast Breaking What are three things we should be looking for in our fast break?

Fast Breaking cont’d Speed is key. Both on-ball and off. Low attackers should get to the pipes. Ball moves faster than the girl, so look to pass the ball ahead to create better numbers. Spacing. The further the defense is apart, the further the slides become. Create confusion for defense but avoiding all straight-line runs. Clear through to create an isolation. Value the ball by making good decisions. A turnover in transition can be deadly.

Transition Drills 3 spot from the 50 Touch-back Drill Build-up No D Carrying behind 3v1 Touch-back Drill

Options after Transition What comes next? Let’s find three ways to get into our settled offense.

Options after Transition, cont’d Getting the ball behind is safer but can become monotonous. Slow-break A quick option before the defense fully settles. Backdoor from the wing Small stack from the top Settle and spread (getting everyone a touch) Getting into motion or set

Basic Offense Having spots for the girls Roles Attackers and midfielders (where they should go?) Inside girls Roles What are the strengths of each girl? Set them up for success. 3 basics: drivers, feeders, cutters What spots are best for these qualities?

Basic Offense, cont’d Sets Plays Pace Giving direction Formations Have someone in the middle. Don’t just shell the 8m Plays Setting up for success. Using deception. Playing to strengths. Keep it simple. Pace What is your philosophy? Run & gun Slow down Players should have to prove they can ad lib. Giving direction If coaches see in HD, players see the game like this...

Settled Attack Play to your strengths Ways to score (there aren’t that many) 1v1 Feeding/cutting Play to your strengths

Settled Attack cont’d 1v1s (dodging and the men’s game) Top dodge (left/right) Wing dodge (under/over) Crease rolls (under/over) Feeding (avoid sidearms!) Same-side Opposite post High to low vs. Low to high Cutting (at speed, always do your homework) Backdoor Frontdoor Post-back Draw and dump (set up with crease roll)

Two-man games Next Level Flip/Fake-flip Pick and roll (on-ball and off) Screen and roll (on-ball and off) Crease (cat and mouse)

Teaching by Progression Start Small and Build: Discussing ways to teach a simple backdoor. WORK BOTH SIDES. One feeder behind, one cutter on the wing Feeder passing to cutter, no defense Traveling feeder, no defense Defense on-ball Defense on-ball and on cutter

Finishing Teaching girls about the shooting sweet spots Understanding goalies and what they are trying to do Changing levels Faking Power v Finesse Being two-handed The proper mechanics of shooting Practice practice practice

8 meters Knowing the best hashes Knowing yourself Knowing the defense and goalie Seeing the 8-meter Angles Seeing behind Fastest first two steps wins

Redefending LAS (Lazy Attacker Syndrome) Fight the urge to allow an attacker to cover the goalie or the trail defender. If they do, make sure they track back All attackers redefend for 70 yds. They should all end at the far restraining line. Attackers should shift towards ball-side. No use covering the far end of the field

Examples of Offense Let’s draw up a few examples of a motion offense 3-2-2 4-1-2