Lacrosse Tactics Board

Offensive Formation: 2-3-1

The 2-3-1 is the standard lacrosse offensive formation: two attackers behind the goal, three midfielders across the middle, one attacker at the top of the crease. From this formation, all offensive plays begin. Diagram the formation and show the key spacing rules:

• The two behind-the-goal attackers should always be positioned to force the defense to choose between covering the pass and covering the driving line to goal.
• The three midfielders form a wide arc that denies the defense from collapsing entirely onto the crease player.
• The crease attacker's position must be fluid — showing at the front of the crease when the ball is behind, moving to the back side when the ball is on the wing.

Pick-and-Roll in Lacrosse

Like basketball, lacrosse uses picks (screens) to create open shots or driving lanes. The key difference is that the pick is legal only if the picker is stationary at the point of contact. Diagram the three types of picks commonly used:

• On-ball pick — picker sets a screen for the ball carrier; the ball carrier dodges off the screen; the picker rolls to the crease for a pass.
• Off-ball pick — a player without the ball sets a screen for a teammate to receive a pass in a better position; diagram the screener's roll and the receiver's cut.
• Down-screen — a midfielder sets a screen for the crease attacker to free them for a pass from behind the goal.

Fast Break

Lacrosse fast breaks are among the most dynamic and highest-percentage scoring opportunities in the sport. A 3v2 fast break should be taught as a structured play:

• The central ball carrier draws the first defender and dishes to the open shooter on the outside
• If the defender commits to the outside pass, the ball carrier continues to the crease
• Diagram both options as two separate arrows from the same starting moment — the decision reads the defender's weight

Clearing

Clearing — moving the ball from the defensive half to the offensive half — is a structured tactical operation in lacrosse. The most common system uses a "push" (three defenders pushing up to the midfield line) and a "pull" (two midfielders holding the midfield line to receive the cleared ball). Diagram the clearing system showing each player's position, the movement paths, and the two options when the primary clear is blocked.

Man-Up Offense

Like ice hockey, lacrosse's man-up situations (when the opposing team has a player serving a penalty) are prepared as set plays. The standard 6v5 man-up formation adds one player to the standard 2-3-1 formation; diagram where the extra player positions and how the rotation adjusts. Show the primary shot opportunity, the alternative feeds to the crease, and the skip pass to the weak side that creates a catch-and-shoot position.