Settled Weave

In men’s lacrosse, facing a defense that applies a lot of pressure can disrupt offensive flow and limit scoring opportunities. One effective strategy to combat this is running a weave at the top of the box. The weave is a motion offense involving continuous movement, passing, and cutting, which not only confuses defenders but also exploits the spaces created by their aggressive pressure. Incorporating the weave into your offensive playbook can neutralize high-pressure defenses and open up scoring opportunities.

Understanding the Weave Offense

The weave involves players at the top of the offensive zone engaging in coordinated passes and cuts. Typically, three midfielders participate, though attackmen can also be involved. The key components are:

1. Continuous Movement:

• Players are always moving, either with the ball or off-ball.

• This movement prevents defenders from settling into their positions.

2. Passing and Cutting:

• The player with the ball passes to a teammate and immediately cuts toward the goal or into open space.

• The next player repeats the process, creating a fluid motion.

3. Interchangeable Positions:

• Players rotate through different spots, making the offense less predictable.

• This interchangeability can create mismatches if defenders are not quick to adjust.

Why the Weave is Effective Against High-Pressure Defense

1. Exploits Defensive Overcommitment:

• Creating Space: Aggressive defenders often overcommit to the ball carrier or their assigned player. The weave’s continuous movement causes defenders to chase, leading to gaps in the defensive formation.

• Backdoor Opportunities: As defenders pressure out, offensive players can cut behind them, exploiting the vacated space for scoring chances.

2. Forces Defensive Communication and Coordination:

• Increased Complexity: The weave’s constant motion requires defenders to communicate effectively. High-pressure defenses may struggle with the rapid adjustments needed, leading to miscommunication.

• Switching Challenges: Defenders have to decide quickly whether to follow their man or switch, increasing the likelihood of errors.

3. Neutralizes Individual Defensive Pressure:

• Ball Movement Over Isolation: Instead of relying on individual dodges that can be smothered by pressure, the weave emphasizes team play and quick passing, making it harder for defenders to focus on a single player.

• Reducing Turnovers: Quick passes minimize the time any one player holds the ball, decreasing the chance of turnovers due to defensive pressure.

4. Tires Out Aggressive Defenders:

• Continuous Chasing: The constant movement forces defenders to expend more energy as they chase players through cuts and rotations.

• Wearing Down Over Time: Fatigued defenders are more prone to mistakes and slower reactions, which the offense can exploit.

Executing the Weave Against High-Pressure Defense

1. Emphasize Quick, Precise Passing:

• Avoiding Turnovers: Under pressure, it’s crucial to make sharp, accurate passes to prevent interceptions.

• Keeping Defenders Off-Balance: Rapid ball movement makes it difficult for defenders to set up and apply pressure effectively.

2. Utilize Sharp Cuts and Off-Ball Movement:

• Creating Separation: Quick cuts can help players get open even when tightly guarded.

• Exploiting Defensive Gaps: Off-ball movement takes advantage of spaces left by overcommitting defenders.

3. Incorporate Picks and Screens:

• Legally Impede Defenders: Picks can slow down aggressive defenders, giving ball carriers more time.

• Enhancing Offensive Options: Screens can free up teammates for open shots or passes.

4. Maintain Proper Spacing:

• Stretching the Defense: Good spacing forces defenders to cover more ground, making it harder to double-team or apply pressure everywhere.

• Preventing Clustering: Spacing reduces the risk of turnovers from crowded areas.

Key Principles for Success

• Communication:

• Offensive players must communicate to coordinate cuts and passes effectively.

• Non-verbal cues, like eye contact and hand signals, can help synchronize movements.

• Patience and Composure:

• Stay calm under pressure to make smart decisions.

• Avoid forcing plays that aren’t there; wait for the defense to make a mistake.

• Reading the Defense:

• Be aware of how defenders react to the weave.

• Adjust strategies based on defensive tendencies (e.g., if defenders start switching, exploit mismatches).

• Practice Under Pressure:

• Simulate high-pressure defensive scenarios in practice.

• Develop muscle memory for quick passes and cuts when tightly guarded.

Advantages of the Weave in High-Pressure Situations

1. Minimizes the Effectiveness of Defensive Pressure:

• Ball Movement Over Isolation: By not relying on individual players to beat pressure alone, the offense can navigate aggressive defenses more effectively.

• Collective Responsibility: The weave distributes offensive responsibilities, making it harder for defenders to shut down the entire unit.

2. Creates High-Percentage Scoring Opportunities:

• Open Lanes: The movement can open up lanes to the goal as defenders overcommit or get caught in rotations.

• Unmarked Players: Confused or fatigued defenders may lose track of their assignments, leaving offensive players unguarded.

3. Enhances Team Chemistry and Confidence:

• Building Trust: Relying on teammates for passes and movement fosters a stronger team dynamic.

• Positive Momentum: Successfully executing the weave against a high-pressure defense can boost morale.

Considerations When Implementing the Weave

• Skill Level of Players:

• Players need to be comfortable handling the ball under pressure and making quick decisions.

• Emphasize fundamentals like catching, passing, and footwork.

• Opponent’s Defensive Style:

• Recognize how the opposing defense applies pressure and adjust the weave accordingly.

• Be prepared to introduce variations if the defense adapts.

• Game Situation:

• Use the weave strategically based on the flow of the game.

• It can be especially effective when the defense is fatigued or after a timeout when they might be less organized.

Conclusion

Running a weave at the top of the box is a highly effective strategy in men’s lacrosse for handling defenses that apply a lot of pressure. By leveraging continuous movement, quick passing, and coordinated cuts, the weave disrupts aggressive defensive tactics and creates scoring opportunities. Incorporating the weave into your offensive repertoire can neutralize high-pressure defenses, maintain offensive momentum, and ultimately lead to greater success on the field.

This is demonstrated in the Colorado State lacrosse championship in 2012 on the GPVideography YouTube channel. Starting at 30:35 in the video.