Offense: From X

In Lacrosse, X is the space behind the goal.  It is near impossible to shoot and score from behind the goal, but using that space in certain ways can create easy scoring opportunities for the offense.  

Here are a few options that involve the player at X:

Isolation Dodge - If you have an attackman that is an exceptional dodger with great scoring skills, sometimes it’s just great to call that player’s number and let them go to the rack!  While this is not a great option as the level of play gets higher and faster, it is the foundation of creating opportunities for other players as that X attackman will draw double teams.

Two-man game - Having two players at X picking or pick/slipping for eachother can be very effective.  This can create space and scoring opportunities for either player involved or for one of the other four off-ball players above the goal, if they can catch their defenseman ball-watching.  It is important for the off-ball players to be very active by making cuts with purpose to dangerous areas while still giving the two-man game enough space to operate, dodge, score, and pass at X.

Swinging the Ball through X - Many offensive coordinators predicate their offense on drawing the defense to one side of the field, then moving the ball to the opposite side of the field before the defense can recover and find the man with the ball.  This can be accomplished with the two man game by attacking each pipe quickly with an initial dodge, then rolling back, then immediately dodging or passing to the back side(opposite side of initial dodge).  This can also be accomplished with a midfielder dodging down an alley from the top to a threatening area with the intention to score individually, drawing a double team or at least some attention and then passing the ball to the attackman at X, who then passes the ball immediately to the next man on the perimeter for a shot or quick dodge or inside for a shooting opportunity.  Dodge-Pass-Dodge

End-line Plays - There are two situations that the ball will be close to the endline for a restart. The quick whistle restart during play and after a timeout.  Winning the whistle by having all players on the same page and prepared for a quick whistle play or exposure of a defense that has taken an unnecessary mental break can create easy goals for an offense.  Defenses can be trying to switch match-ups, sub on and off the field, or simply not paying attention to how fast the ball is coming back into play.  High Lacrosse IQ players will take advantage of these opportunities. When your team comes out of a timeout and the ball is near the endline, generally a set play or concept is sent in with the offense.  Many teams have a “get-a-goal” play that they run off the endline that involves some kind of two-man game or isolation, supported by off ball picks and double pick to get the best shooter on the team open for a shot.

When the ball gets to or moves through X, it is almost always a good thing.  Offense can be simple, but playing it in a simple fashion can be difficult.  At the end of the day, if you play fast, move the ball quickly from player to player, and keep your head up, then scoring opportunities will happen more and more often!