1. 8TH GRADE LAX TERMINOLOGY
BASICS
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
TRANSTION
SPECIAL TEAMS
SUBSITUTIONS
IN-GAME STRATEGIES

2. On the field
POINT
WING
WING
RED ZONE X

3. OFFENSE Our offense formations start from X
OPEN – “WHEEL” – NO ONE ON THE CREASE
DIAMOND – 1–4-1
DEUCES
“13” – 1-3-2

4. BASICS – THE FIELD RED ZONE – 12 X 12 (In front of crease)
X –Directly behind the goal
WING – Areas to left and right of crease
POINT – top of the of the box, in front of goal
ISLAND yards to left and right of goal

5. Transition Blue – Flat Break/Point
Orange – Slow break through X (secondary break)
Yellow – SLOW DOWN !!!! (Take air out the ball)
OPEN SET (Settle the ball and move around perimeter)
Three reasons to call Yellow

6. 3 reasons for yellow call
Substitution – Yellow to Eagle
Eagle – Substitution through box or midfield
Defense needs a break
Opponent is faster than us. Better opportunities in settle situations

7. TEAM DEFENSE COMMUNICATION SLIDING ON-BALL POSITIONING
OFF-BALL POSITIONING
RED DEFENSE
ALPHA DEFENSE

8. DEFENSE ALPHA – SLIDE COME ADJACENT (ONLY IN 2-4, 3-3 AND OPEN SETS)
RED – SLIDES FROM CREASE
BLACK – PRESSURE ON BALL SHUT OFF ALL
DOG – DOUBLE ENDLINE WITH GOALIE
GRIP – SHUT ADJACENT
SHUT PLAYER # - CLOSE ON JERSEY

9. Proper Defensive stance
The Ultimate Guide to Youth Lacrosse - Defense Stance

10. COMMUNICATION * Use names!
GOALIE
Focus on ball
Calling slides is secondary (D talks slides)
Talk to on ball defender (“Owen, step left!”)
DEFENDERS
“HOT!” or “ONE!” or “I’M GOING!”
“Who’s my 2?” or “Cody, you’re my 2!”
“I’m 2, Goose, you can go!”
“I’m Fill”
“Redefine!” or “Jenkins, get numbers!”
“Get One” – slide man says teammate doubling.

11. COMMUNICATION “Ball Down” / “Release” or “Go” or “Ball up” “Break”
“Cross”
“Up”
“Top right” or “Top Left”
“Middie back” – All middies stop and check

12. Sliding Overview
Sliding Overview:

13. SLIDING SLIDING “GO!” “HOLD!” or “NO SLIDE!” FINDING THE OPEN GUY
“Johnny bump!” when 1 man is playing 2
Call a spot
Call a number

14. SLIDING SLIDING - General Head up Hands first Finish with shoulder
Slide aggressively
Stop the ball carrier with hands and feet
No stick checks
Knock down the shooter

15. SLIDING SLIDING “GO!” “HOLD!” or “NO SLIDE!” Red Alpha Coma
FINDING THE OPEN GUY
“BUMP” when 1 man is playing 2
Call a spot
Call a number

16. On-Ball POSITIONING KEYS ON-BALL Listen to goalie / coaches “Easy”
Zero engagement
Follow shuffle or hip to hip
“Hands”
Bottom hand checks
Follow hip to hip
“Drive”
Aggressive hold engaged
Drive ball to safe or sliding area

17. On-Ball POSITIONING ON BALL - Top Take away middle
Force dodger to stay on side he starts on
Lift shooter’s elbow then trail check
Stay on his hip
Make slides predictable

18. On-Ball POSITIONING ON BALL – GLE Take away topside
Force dodger below the GLE
Force Inside
Roll
Drive him low into the crease
STAY TOPSIDE
DO NOT GET BEAT OVER THE TOP
Make slides predictable

19. On Ball Defense
Joe Cinosky: Defending Behind the Cage:

20. Off-Ball POSITIONING KEYS OFF-BALL Ball / You / Man
See your man / See the ball
Look to help the ball – “Show”
Sticks in passing lanes
Look to knock down passes
Stay in tight
Force skip passes
Know the defense you are in!

21. Red Defense
Red is a CREASE SLIDING man to man defense with match up and area specific pressure on the ball.
Red will be our BASE DEFENSE this year.
We will START IN RED unless specified.

22. Slides on Fast break Fast Breaks – Defensive rotation