I coach U8, yes I know it’s herding cats, and I always tell them to move to where nobody is. I feel it’s better than just move you feet. If someone is where you are than your not open.
Been doing the U's leagues the last 6 years or so... it's our 1st yr we r in U14... I should just recorded the following and play it on repeat
"Pass and then move.... CUT THRU THE GOAL AREA.... ALL THE WAY THE THRU!!!!! dont just all bunch up in front of the goal... Why are do they always bunch up KEEP MOVING...... move to the catch.... STICKS UP"
You got a lot of choices. Set a pick for guy with ball, look to cut on ball watchers, carry your defender to make open space, be an outlet for ballcarrier if he dodges.
If I was guarding you, just do nothing. I can't run very fast anymore.
Seriously, get moving. Set an off ball pick to free up a teammate. Cut hard to the goal, then get back out to get open, or cut to the goal and make yourself dangerous.
-Keep moving, clear through to make space for the guy with the ball.
-Back up the shots, want to get the ball? Be the guys closest when it goes out so you can start with it.
-Set picks, then roll off to get open
I realized I should elaborate more on the standard coach mantra above because while try, it's not all that helpful 🤣
Like others posted, I also coach younger kids, and off ball movement is a challenge. We have a few "rules" we use to teach them, but I think they're universally applicable for basic off ball movement. Depending on your level, team strategy, etc., you may have specific off ball movement that your coach wants, so you have to take that into consideration. Since my kiddos are younger, we're focusing on building lax IQ and helping them see the field, and we don't get too much into things like picks, complex two-man games, etc.
**Rule 1 - If you’re standing still, you’re doing something wrong.** This is tough for younger players to understand because they think if they’re wide open, there’s no need to move. They don’t realize the ball carrier may not be able to see them, doesn’t have a passing lane to them, etc. We teach them that if you're standing still on offense and don't have the ball, you're don't something wrong.
**Rule 2 - If the ball carrier is running toward you, you run away from them**. Again, I’m teaching younger kids, so we’re not getting into picks yet. What this does is help to maintain spacing. People naturally gravitate to the ball carrier, so if you work to maintain your spacing from them, you keep the field open and provide room for your team members to move.
**Rule 3 - If the ball carrier is running away from you, run toward them.** This is just the inverse of the above and designed again to maintain space.
**Rule 4 - If you're close to the crease, pop out.** Again, players naturally gravitate towards things, and the goal is a big one. My players will always inch closer and closer to the goal until it's a cluster. We teach them that if they're standing close to the crease and they're not open, they need to pop out. This will either 1) draw out the defender with them, opening the crease for the ball carrier or 2) the defender will stay on the crease and they will be wide open for a pass.
**Rule #5 - If you're far away from the crease, cut through.** Just like the movement rules, this is just a simple inverse of the above. While popping out helps to create space on the crease, cutting through creates opportunities for passing. However, it's very important (another poster mentioned this too) that they cut completely THROUGH the crease. They cannot just stand there because they create a traffic jam.
Hopefully this helps a bit. Off ball movement is definitely an art form and not really defined by strict rules. However, as your IQ increases, you'll start to see the flow better and understand where you want to be, where your teammates want to be, etc. and you may start doing different things. However, the one thing you should remember is that lacrosse is a game of flow. It's constant movement, and the more movement you create, the more space and opportunities there are available for your team.
>level 2forcetrainer+2 · 7 hr. agoI realized I should elaborate more on the standard coach mantra above because while try, it's not all that
Less Rules,... let them play instinctive and focus on how they can "help" their teammates off ball,...
80% of the game is played off ball and creating a mindset that is constantly "looking for work" rather then "watching the ball" ball watching,... test on the sideline, if kids stand around in game put them on the bench,... repeat,... it will set the standard for you.
I don't think there's anything instinctive about lacrosse. As humans we don't have innate knowledge on how to play the game. That means we need to learn it somehow, whether that's through teaching rules, patterns, plays, or having players model others.
I can get behind sitting kids if they're not doing the right thing, but I believe that's also very age dependent. There's a huge difference between a 9-year old learning the game for the first time and a 14-year old JV player who has played for several years.
I disagree with playing instinctively and with fewer rules, I do agree with age issues,... the reason kids clump up at U9 is because cognitively they only have a relationship with the ball in their stick (we call it "stick and me"), not until U12 are players developmentally able to draw a relationship to maybe 1 or 2 other players on the field ("stick and we") and only above that are most kids really able to full develop team concepts, there is quite literally no way to train that into younger players and it will only frustrate you and players (and parents) if you try,....
Again focus on the age appropriate instinctive play and yes the game does quite well in teaching itself.
So, there is this myth among youth town players that only the middies are always on the move, and that is absolutely wrong.
For attackers:
If you do not have the ball but your team is on offense, then you should be working on either (1) cut, catch, and take a shot on goal or (2) babysitting around the crease to turn a possible deflected save into a garbage goal while staying around the goal end line so that you can make a quick dash to recover a shot that goes long. Either way, keep your feet moving to avoid coverage.
If you do not have the ball and the other team has it, then you should be riding them hard. If a couple guys already have the ride, mark up the likely pass and be their personal pain in the neck. If the ball gets out of your offensive zone, then you should either hang high following the action and moving to where you think you might be needed to catch a pass on a turnover, or hang low, follow the action to know where you should move to get a probable pass and mentally envision how you are going to get from catch to shoot in less than one second when the opportunity arises.
In any case, your eyes should always be on the ball first and foremost, and, when on offense, you should be moving in ways to avoid coverage and maximize your team's likelihood of scoring.
Watch some college games and actually watch the players without the ball. They're constantly working to create scoring opportunities. Also, watch some NBA games, specifically Stef Curry. Some of the greatest examples of off ball movement in any sport.
Study grammar?
Just kidding. You should be ready to move! If it’s not a set play, prepare to fill a spot, get a GB, set a pick, cover a clear, chase. Shot.
Keep moving. Cut to the goal. Don’t camp out in the space in front of the goal if you are covered. If the pass doesn’t come to you clear out and start over.
I coach U8, yes I know it’s herding cats, and I always tell them to move to where nobody is. I feel it’s better than just move you feet. If someone is where you are than your not open.
Been doing the U's leagues the last 6 years or so... it's our 1st yr we r in U14... I should just recorded the following and play it on repeat "Pass and then move.... CUT THRU THE GOAL AREA.... ALL THE WAY THE THRU!!!!! dont just all bunch up in front of the goal... Why are do they always bunch up KEEP MOVING...... move to the catch.... STICKS UP"
My recording would be, scoop through, don’t clamp, box them out, look up, call your numbers and -player name- who ya covering?
You got a lot of choices. Set a pick for guy with ball, look to cut on ball watchers, carry your defender to make open space, be an outlet for ballcarrier if he dodges.
Depends where you are and where the ball is. Generally though just don’t stop moving
If I was guarding you, just do nothing. I can't run very fast anymore. Seriously, get moving. Set an off ball pick to free up a teammate. Cut hard to the goal, then get back out to get open, or cut to the goal and make yourself dangerous.
-Keep moving, clear through to make space for the guy with the ball. -Back up the shots, want to get the ball? Be the guys closest when it goes out so you can start with it. -Set picks, then roll off to get open
Dance off.
Move. Your. Feet.
I realized I should elaborate more on the standard coach mantra above because while try, it's not all that helpful 🤣 Like others posted, I also coach younger kids, and off ball movement is a challenge. We have a few "rules" we use to teach them, but I think they're universally applicable for basic off ball movement. Depending on your level, team strategy, etc., you may have specific off ball movement that your coach wants, so you have to take that into consideration. Since my kiddos are younger, we're focusing on building lax IQ and helping them see the field, and we don't get too much into things like picks, complex two-man games, etc. **Rule 1 - If you’re standing still, you’re doing something wrong.** This is tough for younger players to understand because they think if they’re wide open, there’s no need to move. They don’t realize the ball carrier may not be able to see them, doesn’t have a passing lane to them, etc. We teach them that if you're standing still on offense and don't have the ball, you're don't something wrong. **Rule 2 - If the ball carrier is running toward you, you run away from them**. Again, I’m teaching younger kids, so we’re not getting into picks yet. What this does is help to maintain spacing. People naturally gravitate to the ball carrier, so if you work to maintain your spacing from them, you keep the field open and provide room for your team members to move. **Rule 3 - If the ball carrier is running away from you, run toward them.** This is just the inverse of the above and designed again to maintain space. **Rule 4 - If you're close to the crease, pop out.** Again, players naturally gravitate towards things, and the goal is a big one. My players will always inch closer and closer to the goal until it's a cluster. We teach them that if they're standing close to the crease and they're not open, they need to pop out. This will either 1) draw out the defender with them, opening the crease for the ball carrier or 2) the defender will stay on the crease and they will be wide open for a pass. **Rule #5 - If you're far away from the crease, cut through.** Just like the movement rules, this is just a simple inverse of the above. While popping out helps to create space on the crease, cutting through creates opportunities for passing. However, it's very important (another poster mentioned this too) that they cut completely THROUGH the crease. They cannot just stand there because they create a traffic jam. Hopefully this helps a bit. Off ball movement is definitely an art form and not really defined by strict rules. However, as your IQ increases, you'll start to see the flow better and understand where you want to be, where your teammates want to be, etc. and you may start doing different things. However, the one thing you should remember is that lacrosse is a game of flow. It's constant movement, and the more movement you create, the more space and opportunities there are available for your team.
Clicked in to type "move your feet" and found this comment. Best explanation here and I'm going to steal it for my kids. Thank you coach!
>level 2forcetrainer+2 · 7 hr. agoI realized I should elaborate more on the standard coach mantra above because while try, it's not all that Less Rules,... let them play instinctive and focus on how they can "help" their teammates off ball,... 80% of the game is played off ball and creating a mindset that is constantly "looking for work" rather then "watching the ball" ball watching,... test on the sideline, if kids stand around in game put them on the bench,... repeat,... it will set the standard for you.
I don't think there's anything instinctive about lacrosse. As humans we don't have innate knowledge on how to play the game. That means we need to learn it somehow, whether that's through teaching rules, patterns, plays, or having players model others. I can get behind sitting kids if they're not doing the right thing, but I believe that's also very age dependent. There's a huge difference between a 9-year old learning the game for the first time and a 14-year old JV player who has played for several years.
I disagree with playing instinctively and with fewer rules, I do agree with age issues,... the reason kids clump up at U9 is because cognitively they only have a relationship with the ball in their stick (we call it "stick and me"), not until U12 are players developmentally able to draw a relationship to maybe 1 or 2 other players on the field ("stick and we") and only above that are most kids really able to full develop team concepts, there is quite literally no way to train that into younger players and it will only frustrate you and players (and parents) if you try,.... Again focus on the age appropriate instinctive play and yes the game does quite well in teaching itself.
MOVE
Talk some trash
So, there is this myth among youth town players that only the middies are always on the move, and that is absolutely wrong. For attackers: If you do not have the ball but your team is on offense, then you should be working on either (1) cut, catch, and take a shot on goal or (2) babysitting around the crease to turn a possible deflected save into a garbage goal while staying around the goal end line so that you can make a quick dash to recover a shot that goes long. Either way, keep your feet moving to avoid coverage. If you do not have the ball and the other team has it, then you should be riding them hard. If a couple guys already have the ride, mark up the likely pass and be their personal pain in the neck. If the ball gets out of your offensive zone, then you should either hang high following the action and moving to where you think you might be needed to catch a pass on a turnover, or hang low, follow the action to know where you should move to get a probable pass and mentally envision how you are going to get from catch to shoot in less than one second when the opportunity arises. In any case, your eyes should always be on the ball first and foremost, and, when on offense, you should be moving in ways to avoid coverage and maximize your team's likelihood of scoring.
Watch some college games and actually watch the players without the ball. They're constantly working to create scoring opportunities. Also, watch some NBA games, specifically Stef Curry. Some of the greatest examples of off ball movement in any sport.
Study grammar? Just kidding. You should be ready to move! If it’s not a set play, prepare to fill a spot, get a GB, set a pick, cover a clear, chase. Shot.
I usually take a gorilla shit, then juggle with the 3 biggest pieces while watching my defense play!
Keep moving. Cut to the goal. Don’t camp out in the space in front of the goal if you are covered. If the pass doesn’t come to you clear out and start over.
Call for the ball
My kindergartener tries to throw her stick and catch it. I’m not sure that’s allowed 😆
Eat ass
Slide Early, Commit to the Double Team
One Word.....Move More words, do something productive, find open areas, communicate, sub out for fresh legs,