Two-Man Game in Lacrosse: Isolation, Distraction, and Defensive Mismatches
The two-man game in lacrosse offense is a fundamental yet highly adaptable strategy that leverages coordination between two offensive players to create a variety of scoring opportunities. This setup is all about creating space, confusing defenders, and setting up advantageous matchups. Let’s dive into the three main approaches: the two-man isolation, two-man distraction, and two-man switch.
1. Two-Man Isolation (2-Man Iso)
The two-man isolation is all about focusing the action on two players with the goal of getting one of them open for a high-quality shot or a pass. It works best when positioned behind the net, which provides ample space and angles for attackers to exploit. By pulling two players and their defenders away from the main action, you create separation and open up the field.
Key Moves in 2-Man Iso:
• Picks: A pick helps create mismatches by forcing defenders into split-second decisions—either to switch or navigate around it. When defenders get crossed up, a quick opportunity opens for an attacker to cut to the net.
• Fake Picks or Slips: With a fake pick, or “slip,” the picking player feints a pick but immediately cuts, creating an opportunity for a quick pass to a now-open attacker. This quick deception often buys an extra step on a defender.
• Give and Go: A classic move where the ball carrier passes to a teammate, then quickly cuts to the net, hoping to catch the defender off guard. This can draw a slide, which creates openings elsewhere on the field.
In college, my team used the two-man iso behind the net with our middies, aiming to set up GLE (goal-line extended) shots. By using this strategy, attackers could gain a step or two, attract a defensive slide, and open up passing options across the field.
2. Two-Man Distraction
While the isolation strategy focuses on two players working directly for a shot, the two-man distraction takes the opposite approach, using those two players to pull defenders’ attention away from a scoring opportunity elsewhere. The goal is to momentarily divert the defense and free up a non-2-man player for an open shot or cut to the net.
This approach is often set up at the top or side of the field, giving off-ball players space below the GLE to create a “time and space” shot. By running the same basic actions as the 2-man iso, such as picks and quick passes, the two-man setup becomes a decoy, giving space for off-ball players to exploit a distracted defense.
3. Two-Man Switch
The two-man switch aims to force a defender, ideally a long pole, to switch onto a different offensive player, creating mismatches. For a midfielder without a long pole assignment, partnering up with an attackman behind the net is a popular choice. Here, the two players work through a series of picks, passes, and exchanges designed to coax a defender into a switch. If the switch occurs and the midfielder now has the long pole, they can clear out, allowing the attackman to drive with a short-stick matchup.
This tactic is one I frequently used in high school coaching, especially for midfielders who excel at driving and shooting. In college play, it was instrumental in trapping a short-stick defender on an attackman, giving the offense a chance to exploit the short-stick’s disadvantage.
Conclusion
The two-man game in lacrosse is a versatile offensive tool with endless variations depending on the team’s needs, strengths, and field position. Whether isolating for a direct shot, using distraction to set up an off-ball play, or executing a switch to force defensive mismatches, the two-man game can disrupt even the most disciplined defenses. With the right coordination, lacrosse teams can harness these approaches to outmaneuver defenders and create prime scoring chances, showcasing the beauty of the sport’s strategic depth.
