A great concept to Counter High-Pressure Defenses

An. aggressive defense giving your ream problems?

This strategy is perfect for countering high-pressure defensive tactics. By using dodges, quick ball movement, and well-timed picks, your women’s lacrosse offense can pull defenders to one side, forcing them to overcommit. Once the defense shifts, reversing the field to attack the weak side opens up shooting lanes. Picks are crucial for freeing players’ hands, allowing for high-percentage shots and neutralizing aggressive defensive pressure.

This approach works well in women’s lacrosse by emphasizing:

• Exploiting Defensive Overcommitment: By shifting defenders to one side, the offense creates open space on the weak side, forcing defenders to scramble, which often leads to mistakes that women’s lacrosse attackers can capitalize on.

• Fast, Smart Ball Movement: Women’s lacrosse relies on quick decision-making and ball movement to keep the defense unsettled, preventing them from resetting and closing off scoring opportunities.

• Versatile Offensive Tactics: Utilizing picks, cuts, and diverse passing options, the offense stays flexible, making it difficult for the women’s lacrosse defense to predict movements, allowing for better shots and feeds.

By consistently challenging the defense’s positioning and capitalizing on gaps, this strategy in women’s lacrosse enhances scoring opportunities through quick ball movement and precise execution.

Success Factors: Fast Ball Movement and Picks

Quick ball movement and well-executed picks are essential to freeing up players’ hands and exploiting defensive gaps.

Play Breakdown:

1. Initial Attack:

• The ball is passed to #1 in the corner by #2, who sets a pick at the top of the key. #1 dodges toward the goal, drawing defenders in. If the defense doesn’t adjust, #1 can drive straight to the goal.

2. Ball Movement:

• #5 provides an outlet for #1. Upon receiving the pass, #5 quickly moves the ball to #7 to keep the defense engaged and committed to one side.

3. Field Reversal:

• #7 reverses the field by passing to #6 on the opposite side, shifting the defensive focus and setting up the offense for a weak-side attack.

4. Weak Side Attack:

• With the defense over-committed to one side, #6 attacks the weak side, drawing defenders toward them. #3 sets a pick at the goal line extended, clearing space for #6 to either feed or drive toward the goal.

5. Cut and Screen:

• As #6 draws the defense in, #2 cuts to the ball while #4 sets a screen on a shifted defender, clearing space for #2 to catch the ball and take a shot.

Objective:

By shifting the defense and attacking the weak side, this play takes advantage of defensive over-commitment. With precise timing, picks, and fast ball movement, your team can create clear shot opportunities and disrupt aggressive defensive tactics.