Understanding the 6-Man Offensive Rotation (Wheel) in a 3-3 Man-Up Set
In men’s lacrosse, man-up situations offer a prime opportunity to exploit the extra player advantage. One effective strategy is to use a 3-3 offensive set with a 6-man rotation. This rotation keeps the defense guessing and can create openings for high-percentage shots. Below is a step-by-step explanation of how this rotation works, starting with the player at the bottom corner carrying the ball up to the top corner.
Initial Setup: The 3-3 Offensive Formation
Positions:
• Top Line: Top Left (TL), Top Middle (TM), Top Right (TR)
• Bottom Line: Bottom Left (BL), Bottom Middle (BM), Bottom Right (BR)
The formation consists of two horizontal lines with three players each, creating a balanced offensive setup.
Note: the Bottom Middle in this formation would be in the crease in front of the goal, not behind. This same tactic an be used with the Bottom Middle player behind at X which would present different looks.
Step-by-Step Rotation
1. Bottom Left Player Carries the Ball Up to Top Left
(this can be executed the same way from the other side as show in the diagram)
• The player at the Bottom Left (BL) position starts with the ball.
• He carries the ball up along the side to the Top Left (TL) position.
• Objective: Initiates the rotation and forces the defense to adjust their coverage.
2. Top Left Player Moves to Top Middle
• As the ball carrier approaches Top Left, the player initially at Top Left moves to the Top Middle (TM) position.
• Objective: Maintains offensive balance at the top and continues the rotational movement.
3. Top Middle Player Moves to Top Right
• The player who was at Top Middle shifts over to the Top Right (TR) position.
• Objective: Continues the rotation and keeps the defense on their toes.
4. Top Right Player Drops Down to Bottom Right
• The player at Top Right moves down to the Bottom Right (BR) position.
• Objective: Stretches the defense vertically and maintains fluidity in the rotation.
5. Bottom Right Player Moves to Bottom Middle
• The player initially at Bottom Right shifts to the Bottom Middle (BM) position.
• Objective: Fills the space vacated by the previous movement, keeping the formation intact.
6. Bottom Middle Player Moves to Bottom Left
• The player at Bottom Middle moves across to the Bottom Left (BL) position, where the rotation began.
• Objective: Completes the rotation cycle, ready to start the process again or exploit any defensive weaknesses.
Resulting Formation After Rotation
After completing these movements, each player has advanced to the next position in a clockwise manner. The ball is now at the Top Left (TL) position, and the offense is set to either continue the rotation or initiate a scoring play.
Strategic Advantages of the Rotation
• Defensive Confusion: Continuous movement forces defenders to make quick decisions, increasing the chance of errors.
• Creating Mismatches: Rotations can lead to favorable matchups against less skilled defenders.
• Opening Passing Lanes: Movement opens up new passing lanes for quick ball distribution.
• Stretching the Defense: Vertical and horizontal shifts expand the defense, creating gaps to exploit.
Key Points to Remember
• Effective Communication: Players must communicate to ensure smooth transitions.
• Precise Timing and Spacing: Proper timing prevents overcrowding and maintains formation integrity.
• Situational Awareness: Players should keep their heads up to read the defense and find open teammates.
• Adaptability: The rotation can be repeated or reversed to keep the defense guessing.
Conclusion
The 6-man offensive rotation out of a 3-3 set during a man-up situation is a dynamic strategy that leverages coordinated player movement to disrupt defensive setups. By starting with the bottom corner player carrying the ball up and everyone rotating accordingly, the offense can create advantageous situations and increase scoring opportunities.
