1. Team Offense: The 21 Set

2. The 21 Set: Level of Play
Level of Play
The “21” set can be used by all age and skill levels. However, this presentation and execution shown here is demanding as it requires players to make a variety of instinctive and reactive reads. This set as shown is suitable only for the most advanced age and skill levels.

3. The 21 Set: Set Up
Set-up
This offense starts in the formation. Two Attackmen below GLE behind the goal and on opposite sides, one Attackman in the crease and three midfielders (one on top middle and one on each side). Triangle movement concepts are used with this set.

4. The 21 Set: Set Up
Set Up (Continued)
A1 and A2 start approximately 5-7 yards behind GLE and 5-7 yards to the left and right of the goal circle respectively. M2 and M3 start 5-7 yards below the top of the restraining line no wider than 15 yards from the midline to the left and right respectively. M3 starts in the middle 5 yards above the restraining line. A3 starts on the crease in front of the goal in line even with the leftside or rightside goal posts either high (10-12 yards) or low (2-5 yards) depending on the location of the ball.

5. A1 A2 A3 M2 M3 M1
The 21 Set (M1 Dodging)

6. Execution (If M1 Alley Dodges)
The 21 Set: Execution
Execution (If M1 Alley Dodges)
The offense can start with any midfielder or either attackmen behind the GLE . M1 is the dodger in this instance with A3 low and away. On the alley dodge, M2 will cut through the crease out the backside. M3 will follow M1 . A3 will “pop” off screen as M1 cuts through. A1 will make himself available as an outlet and A2 will pinch the backside for a potential skip and move to “X’ if A1 gets the outlet pass.

7. A1 A2 A3 M2 M3 M1
The 21 Set (M1 Dodging)

8. A1 A2 M2 M1 A3 M3 The 21 Set (M1 Dodging)
After the initial dodge, if M1 doesn’t have a shot, he wants to look to the crease, skip backside, look ahead to A1 or “rollback” and throw the ball to M3. M1 M2 A3 M3
The 21 Set (M1 Dodging)

9. The 21 Set (M1 Dodging)

10. The 21 Set: Execution
If M1 Throws To A1
If M1 throws to A1, then M1 will cut to the crease looking for a “Give and Go” . If he does not get the pass, he will set a pick for A3. A3 will come off pick and look for pass. Midfielders rotate as M3 replaces M1 looking for outlet pass, M2 replaces M3 looking for skip pass and M1 continues and replaces M2. If A3 does not get the pass , he will go backside and pick at GLE for A2. A2 will cut to the crease. If A2 is not open A1 will throw to A3 at “X” for the re-dodge. It is important that A1 try to score by dodging and getting hands free to set up passes.

11. The 21 Set (A1 Dodging)

12. A3 A1 A2 M3 M1 M2 The 21 Set (A3 Dodging)
On the re-dodge, A3 wants to push the backside. After pushing the backside A3 looks for a shot. Otherwise, he can look to M1 ahead, M2 on a skip or A2 in the crease A1 A2 M3 M1 M2
The 21 Set (A3 Dodging)

13. The 21 Set: Execution
If M1 Throws Back To M3
If M1 throws back to M3 (who is following the play), then M3 wants to step in and draw a defender, then move the ball immediately to the backside to M2 (the “pop-off” guy) who will look to shoot and or re-dodge. On this action, A1 will show to the ball, then move back toward “X” on the rollback. A2 pinches the crease on the initial dodge, then fades to the end-line to create dodging room for M3.

14. The 21 Set (M1 Throw Back to M2)
On the re-direct, M3 will first look to shoot, then he will look inside at A3, or to re-dodge. His outlet will be A2 at “X”.
The 21 Set (M1 Throw Back to M2)

15. The 21 Set: Execution
If M1 Sweeps
If M1 decides to sweep to his right, M2 can either cut through or set an on-ball screen for M1. If he cuts through he wants to look to replace up top. On this action, M3 will follow the play look to the top. A3 will float in the crease looking for a feeding lane. A2 will now curl for the outlet, and A1 will pinch the backside and then move to “X” to provide an re-dodging opportunity.

16. A1 A2 A3 M3 M2 M1
The 21 Set (If M1 Sweeps)

17. After the sweep, M1 wants to look to the crease, or ahead to the A2
After the sweep, M1 wants to look to the crease, or ahead to the A2. The throwback off the sweep is difficult, but it is available as M3 replaces.
The 21 Set (If M1 Sweeps)

18. Execution (Attack Dodging)
The 21 Set: Execution Attack Dodging
Execution (Attack Dodging)
The 21 can be initiated by M1, M2 or M3 but it can also be initiated by A1 or A2. In this scenario the attackmen want to dodge from either side or use a “two-man” game to get themselves free. In both attack dodging scenarios, the midfielder movement involves a ball-side midfielder cut to a pick in the crease for the attackman to run off from and the off-ball midfielders rotating with the cutter to replace down and top.

19. Execution (Attack Continued)
The 21 Set: Execution Attack Dodging
Execution (Attack Continued)
It’s imperative that the attackman set up high so that the dodging attackman has sufficient space to operate. The other midfielders respond accordingly. The top midfielder rotates down to the cutting midfielders original spot looking for an outlet pass. And the far midfielder moves to the top looking for a skip pass.

20. A1 A2 M2 M3 A3 M1
The 21 Set (A1 Dodging)

21. On the dodge A1, has a variety of options
On the dodge A1, has a variety of options. If the shot is not available, he can look to the crease, he can skip up-top or pass ahead. If none of these options are available, he should roll back and hit A2 at “X”.
The 21 Set (A1 Dodging)

22. The 21 Set: Execution Attack Dodging
If A1 Throws Ahead To M1
If A1 throws to M1, M1 wants to step in for a shot, then look to the crease. The other midfielders want to stay spread, prepared to “swing” the ball to the backside for a re-dodge.

23. The 21 Set (A1 Dodging Throws to M1)
On the re-direct, he should immediately look to shoot. Otherwise, he can feed the crease, the backside (A1), the nearside (A2) or he can re-dodge himself.
The 21 Set (A1 Dodging Throws to M1)

24. The 21 Set: Execution
If A1 Throws To A2
If A1 throws back to A2, then A2 should push the backside looking to feed A3 on the crease. If A3 is not open, A2 should push for his shot and then use M3 as his outlet.

25. The 21 Set (A1 Dodging Throws Back to A2)
On the re-dodge, A2 wants to look to push the corner. If he doesn’t get his shot, he should look to the crease and at his skip lanes (M2 and M3). Otherwise, he wants to roll- back and re-set. Or push the ball ahead and re-set.
The 21 Set (A1 Dodging Throws Back to A2)

26. The 21 Set: Execution “21 Black”
Special Play (21 Black)
“21 Black” is an away from ball pick during the backside (A2) re-dodge. This play can be used in special instances, or on every re-dodge, depending on what the coach wants. This play is not only an excellent goal scoring opportunity, it naturally “re-balances” the original set so that the “21” can be run again seamlessly.

27. The 21 Set (“21 Black” Starting from the M1-A1-A2 Re-dodge Opportunity )

28. The 21 Set (“21 Black” M1-A1-A2-M1)

29. Execution (Attack “Two-Man”)
The 21 Set: Execution Attack Dodging
Execution (Attack “Two-Man”)
If A1 and A2 decide they want to use one each other in a “two-man” game, they should. Whether this is a standard (attack-attack) or a “classic” (attack-midfield) two man game, it should be run the same way as the regular attack initiated “21”, with the exception that the initial dodge will involve and on-ball screen. The midfielders should respond according to the location and nature of the attack dodge.

30. A1 A2 M3 A3 M2 M1
The 21 Set (A1-A2 Two-man)

31. If A1 doesn’t have a shot off the initial dodge, he can look to the man ahead of him, or he can look to the crease, or at his skip lanes. If none of these is available, he should roll back and move the ball to “X”.
The 21 Set (A1-A2 Two-man)

32. The 21 Set (A1 Dodging Options)
A1 wants to look to the crease or ahead to the front side midfielder (M1) or skip to M2. This is also a great way to set up a backside “re-dodge”
On the re-direct, he wants to immediately look to shoot. Otherwise, he can look to the crease, backside to A1, to A2 showing from “X” or he can re-dodge himself.
The 21 Set (A1 Dodging Options)

33. The 21 Set: Final Thoughts
The “21 Set” is very flexible. It can be used at lower levels by simply dodging and triangle rotating or as complex set that requires players be able to react instinctively to what the defense presents them. The “21” therefore provides an excellent change from “13” or “14” if teams are defending those effectively.

34. “Classic” Attack/Midfield Invert

35. Classic: Level of Play
Level of Play
“Classic” is suited for teams at all skill levels. The movements are simple and should be easy for players of any age group to learn and understand.

36. Classic: Set Up
Set-up
This is a offense that initiates a midfielder and an attackman behind the goal with the remaining four players cutting in front of the goal to put pressure on the defense, create space for the dodge, and provide and outlet for the ball carrier. The two players behind the goal are an attackmen and a midfielder. This is why we call it a “classic” set. Short and long are behind the cage to force match up changes.

37. Classic: Set Up
Set-up (Continued)
The remaining four players want to position themselves in a diamond with X1 on the high crease approximately 7 yards above the goal in the middle of the field. X2 and X4 want to position themselves 10 yards above the goal and 5-7 yards to the right and left of X1. X3 wants to ling up about yards above the goal in the middle of the field.

38. A1 M1 X2 X4 X1 X3
Classic (M1 Behind with A1)

39. Classic: Execution
Execution
This offense starts with either a 1v1 dodge from M1 or A1, or with a two-man game between M1 and A1 (In this case M1 is going to be the dodger). If the dodger (M1) draws a slide, then X1 wants to cut behind his defender, which is known as “following the slide”. X2, X3, and X4 will perform a triangle rotation. X2 cuts through to the weak-side making sure to look for the ball in the event that his man slides.

40. Execution (Continued)
Classic: Execution
Execution (Continued)
X3 rolls over to the ball-side to provide an outlet for the ball carrier (M1). X4 drifts to the middle of the field to find a skip lane for M1. A1 needs to follow M1 on the drive to provide an outlet and back up the goal if a shot occurs. If the initial dodge does not work, then X2 wants to throw the ball to either X3 or A1 who will attack the backside.

41. Classic (M1 Dodges from “X”)

42. Classic (M1 Dodges from “X”)
M1 is going to attack the goal on the dodge, or off a two-man game. If he does not have a shot he wants to look at the crease for X1, or he wants to look ahead to X3 on the rollover, or he wants to rollback and throw the ball to A1 at “X”.
Classic (M1 Dodges from “X”)

43. Execution (If M1 Throws to X3)
Classic: Execution
Execution (If M1 Throws to X3)
If M1 dodges and moves the ball ahead to X3 rolling over the top, X3 should look to the crease and then move the ball to the back side for X2 on the re-dodge.

44. Classic (M1 Dodges from “X”)
When X2 receives the pass after the cut through, he wants to immediately re-dodge, because the defense will be focused on the ball-side.
When X3 receives the pass from M1 he wants to look at X2 and X1 on the crease, otherwise, he wants to move the ball immediately to X4 for the re-dodge on the backside.
Classic (M1 Dodges from “X”)

45. Classic: Execution
If M1 Throws Back To A1
If M1 throws back to A1, then A1 wants to attack the weak-side by dodging for a shot and looking to feed X2, X3 or X1.

46. Classic (M1 Dodges from “X”)

47. Classic (M1 Dodges from “X”)
If A1 gets nothing on the re-dodge, he wants to look to the crease for X1, or he wants to skip to X4, or he wants to look directly ahead of him to X2.
Classic (M1 Dodges from “X”)

48. Classic: Final Thoughts
“Classic” can be run with a dodge to either side (all movements will be mirrored and reversed). “Classic” can also take advantage of a two-man game behind. We’re looking to get defensemen to switch off attackmen. At the higher levels, this offense can be run with players in any spot similar to the way “21” might be run with an attackmen instead of a midfielder.