Creating Offensive Transition My Belief: I have always felt aggressive team defense is the first step in creating great offensive transition. I want to move the ball from my defensive end through midfield as quickly as possible in order to create as much pressure as I can on the opposing defense. If we don’t have a numbers advantage, I push the ball through “X” to create higher percentage scoring opportunities.

Personnel Decisions I always look for highly skilled, unselfish players with good vision for my high and low attackers. I must have my fastest players in midfield and on defense because they are the players starting our offensive transition. You can use a player’s speed most effectively when they are coming out of your defensive end, so I always place my fastest players and best athletes in those positions.

Coaching Points For Our Transition 1.Defensive players and GK’s must cleanly pick up GB’s or make interceptions AND THEN QUICKLY MOVE THE BALL. 2.Middies and Defenders must have speed and vision/willingness to move the ball. 3.Get the ball to the attacker at “X” as quickly as possible. 4.Everyone filling lanes/spaces as quickly as possible. This is how a team can really maximize those unsettled situations.

How Do You Create Offensive Transition? Your team must be able to breakout quickly when your GK makes a save or a player picks up a ground ball. These break out patterns are extremely important and must be constantly practiced. –Spread the field 1.Low and flat 2.15 M’s 3.Above restraining line 4.In offensive end

GK LD M HD LA M HA M LALA LALA GK LDLD LDLD HDHD M MMM “Virginia” Drill It’s important to emphasize to your players to see the whole field. The LD can pass it out to the HD, HA, skip it across to the other LD, etc – the most important thing is to develop vision and quickness to your transition. The principles of your transition are more important then the pattern.

GK LD M HD LA M HA M LALA LALA GK LDLD LDLD HDHD M C MMM “Virginia” Drill It’s important to emphasize to your players to see the whole field. The LD can pass it out to the HD, HA, skip it across to the other LD, etc – the most important thing is to develop vision and quickness to your transition. The principles of your transition are more important then the pattern.

GK LD M HD LA M HA M LALA LALA GK LDLD LDLD HDHD M C MMM “Virginia” Drill It’s important to emphasize to your players to see the whole field. The LD can pass it out to the HD, HA, skip it across to the other LD, etc – the most important thing is to develop vision and quickness to your transition. The principles of your transition are more important then the pattern.

GK LD M HD LA M HA M LALA LALA GK LDLD LDLD HDHD M C MMM “Virginia” Drill It’s important to emphasize to your players to see the whole field. The LD can pass it out to the HD, HA, skip it across to the other LD, etc – the most important thing is to develop vision and quickness to your transition. The principles of your transition are more important then the pattern.

GK LD M HD LA M HA M LALA LALA GK LD HD M C M MM “Virginia” Drill It’s important to emphasize to your players to see the whole field. The LD can pass it out to the HD, HA, skip it across to the other LD, etc – the most important thing is to develop vision and quickness to your transition. The principles of your transition are more important then the pattern.

3 v 2 Clears: LD GK HD M Defense must clear ball to restraining line. LD HD M Black – riding team White – Clearing team Blue - subs

3 v 2 Clears: LD GK HD M Defense must clear ball to restraining line. HD M LD HD Black – riding team White – Clearing team Blue - subs

3 v 2 Clears: LD GK HD M Defense must clear ball to restraining line. HD M LD Black – riding team White – Clearing team Blue - subs

4 v 0 Transition: LA GK HA M Offense practicing moving ball quickly, filling lanes, and shooting. M M M HALA C C

4 v 0 Transition: LA GK HA M Offense practicing moving ball quickly, filling lanes, and shooting. M M M HALA C C

4 v 0 Transition: LA GK HA M Offense practicing moving ball quickly, filling lanes, and shooting. M M M HALA C C

5 v 3 Clears: LD GK HA M M LA MMMM HA LD

5 v 3 Clears: LD GK HA M M LA MMMM HA LD HA

5 v 3 Clears: LD GK HAM M LA MMMM HA LD HA Calls “High & Away” Calls “Trail” Consider making this more competitive by timing each group.

GK LD HD LA M M HA M M LALA LALA GK LDLD LDLD HDHD LALA MMM 5 v 3 to 4 v 3 Transition It’s important to emphasize to your players to see the whole field. Move the ball through midfield as quickly as possible and get it into the hands of your attackers. HA LALA LD HD LD HA LALA HAHA LDLD LDLD LDLD

GK LD HD LA M M HA M M LALA LALA GK LDLD LDLD HDHD LALA MMM 5 v 3 to 4 v 3 Transition It’s important to emphasize to your players to see the whole field. Move the ball through midfield as quickly as possible and get it into the hands of your attackers. HA LALA LD HD LD HA LALA HAHA LDLD LDLD LDLD Calls “High and Away”

GK LD HD LA M M HA M M LALA LALA GK LDLD LDLD HDHD LALA MMM 5 v 3 to 4 v 3 Transition It’s important to emphasize to your players to see the whole field. Move the ball through midfield as quickly as possible and get it into the hands of your attackers. HA LALA LD HD LD HA LALA HAHA LDLD LDLD LDLD

GK LDLD HDHD LALA LALA LA MMHA M M LALA LALA GK LDLD LDLD HDHD LALA MMM 5 v 3 to 4 v 3 Transition It’s important to emphasize to your players to see the whole field. Move the ball through midfield as quickly as possible and get it into the hands of your attackers. HA LALA LD HD LD HA LALA HAHA LDLD LDLD LDLD

GK LDLD HDHD LALA LALA LA MMHA M M LALA LALA GK LDLD LDLD HDHD LALA MMM 5 v 3 to 4 v 3 Transition It’s important to emphasize to your players to see the whole field. Move the ball through midfield as quickly as possible and get it into the hands of your attackers. HA LALA LD HD LD HA LALA HAHA LDLD LDLD LDLD

GK LD HD LA M HD HA M M LALA LALA GK LDLD LD HD LA MMM “DCT” HA LALA LD HD LD HD LALA HA HD LDLD LDLD C In this drill the coach rolls out a GB to either side. If the side with 2 teammates wins they transition into a 5 v 4. If the single player wins, it becomes a 6 v 5 (teammates on other side of circle are released, but not the defender).

GK LD HD LA M HD HA M M LALA LALA GK LDLD LD HD LA MMM “DCT” HA LALA LD HD LD HD LALA HA HD LDLD LDLD C The offensive team should look to quickly move the ball into the offensive end to put pressure on the shorthanded defensive. Attackers should be thinking about maintaining balance and creating long slides for the defense.

GK LDHD LA M HD HA M M LALA LALA GK LDLD LD HD LA MMM “DCT” HA LALA LD HD LD HD LALA HA HD LDLD LDLD C The offensive team should look to quickly move the ball into the offensive end to put pressure on the shorthanded defensive. Attackers should be thinking about maintaining balance and creating long slides for the defense.

GK LDHD LA M HD HA M M LALA LALA GK LDLD LD HD LA MMM “DCT” HA LALA LD HD LD HD LALA HA HD LDLD LDLD C The offensive team should look to quickly move the ball into the offensive end to put pressure on the shorthanded defensive. Attackers should be thinking about maintaining balance and creating long slides for the defense.

Principles Of Our Settled Attack: Patience – almost all of the rules in women’s lacrosse favor the offense. Wait until you CREATE a high percentage opportunity. A poised offense can pick apart a defense. Keep the ball “HOT.” Defenders are constantly taught to see both “ball & girl.” Don’t make it easy for them by holding the ball! Movement with a purpose. There’s only 1 ball, but there are 7 girls in the offense – 6 of them will not score! What are they doing? Always face the ball. Backpedal out of cuts, shuffle, etc – don’t turn your back to the ball.

Principles Of Our Settled Attack: I only teach 1 or 2 “plays” and they are for special situations. I prefer to use “sets” and teach recognition of various situations. I assign “roles” for players, but I try to limit specific instructions – especially with my female players.

LA1 LA2 HA1 HA2 M2 M1 M3 52 Offense / “House” Offense This offensive set gives you a ton of options for attacking a defense. It also gives you the ability to develop specific roles for players and/or hide weaker players.

LA1 LA2 HA1 HA2 M2 M1 M3 52 Offense / “House” Offense

LA1 LA2 HA1 HA2 M2 M1 M3 52 Offense / “House” Offense

LA1 LA2 HA1 HA2 M2 M1 M3 52 Offense / “House” Offense

LA1 LA2 HA1 HA2 M2 M1 M3 52 Offense / “House” Offense

Using Small Drills to Build Your Offense Make sure you put your players in situations they will actually see in your offense. Concentrate on all of your “parts” before you practice the “whole.” Your players will get more reps in their individual roles and your offense will ultimately be more productive. Continually practice your “parts” during the season.

LA1 LA2 HA2 Forcing the Corners Drive hard to the corner, draw the double, reverse the ball through “X” and drive the corner on the other side. Want your attackers to drive with their heads up and swing the ball as soon as they cause a defensive slide.

LA1 LA2 HA2 Forcing the Corners Drive hard to the corner, draw the double, reverse the ball through “X” and drive the corner on the other side. Want your attackers to drive with their heads up and swing the ball as soon as they cause a defensive slide.

LA1 LA2 HA2 Feeding the Backside Pipe From the low wing, LA1 feeds ball to “X” and looks for a possible give and go. If not there, LA1 posts up on backside pipe with stick in outside hand. Most likely LA1’s defender will take up an inside position leaving LA1’s stick open for a feed.

LA1 LA2 HA2 Feeding the Backside Pipe If LA1 is open HA2 feeds her for a high quality opportunity. If not, LA1 can slide out and you can run the pattern in the reverse direction.

LA1 LA2 Step Down Shots LA1 feeds LA2 and cuts across crease. LA2 forces high on the corner, trying to draw the double from M1’s defender. LA2 then pops out and feeds M1 for a step down shot. M2 should look for a high bounce shot. M1

LA1 LA2 Step Down Shots LA1 feeds LA2 and cuts across crease. LA2 forces the corner, trying to draw the double from M1’s defender. LA2 then pops out and feeds M1 for a step down shot. M2 should look for a high bounce shot or obstruction of the free space. M1

M2 Creating Sweeps Across Field M1 steps in and pops out to get their hands for feed from M2. M2 will pass and cut across in front of M1.

M1 M2 Creating Sweeps Across Field M1 drives hard from near the 12 M off of the back of M2. M1 wants to drive hard down the pipe looking for a hard, shin level shot behind the GK who should be moving with the ball carrier towards the pipe. M2 is curling back behind M1 for a possible feed if M1 is forced to out.

LA2 M2 M3 Z Cut and Follow By teaching your crease players to stack high on the 8M when the ball is low, not only do you create space, but you can also coach your kids how to draw a lot of 3 second violations by being patient and faking/delaying cuts.

LA2 M2 M3 Z Cut and Pop Out