Motion Offense Rules in Lacrosse

The motion offense aims to create confusion in the defense by constantly moving players into different positions. Each movement forces the defensive players out of position as they have to change positions or change the man they are guarding. After a few passes an opportunity to attack should arise.

Set Up

The most basic motion offense is a two-two-two: two midfielders are at the top of the restriction line, one midfielder and one attackman are on the crease and two attackmen are behind the goal. The midfielders at the top and the attackmen at the bottom are spread out to create room to throw the ball. The offense only works if all the players understand their roles in movement. Timing is essential in this offense as the players have to rotate at the same time in order to free themselves from the defenders.

Changing Positions

When a player passes to another player, that initiates the motion that the name comes from. Each pass has its own set of rules. A pass between the top midfielders causes the thrower of the pass to change positions with the crease midfielder. Likewise if an attackman passes to the other then the passer changes places with the crease attacker. The attackmen have the added responsibility that when the midfielders are passing to one another that they should be switching places as well. Passes between midfielders and attackmen cause both positions to switch player location.

Crease Players

The midfielder and the attackman on the crease have the responsibility of setting picks for one another and any player who makes a run towards the goal. Their role is to use the confusion of the motion offense to free one of them to receive an open pass and to attempt a shot at goal. If one of the midfielders or attackmen have the opportunity they will drive towards the goal and either shoot or pass to one of the open crease players. The crease players must stay spread out and always moving in order to prevent congestion of the area.

Penalties

If the other team is playing down a man, the two-two-two changes into a two-three-one. In this situation, one of the crease players moves towards the side of the goal on the wing and one of the attackmen moves into the other open area perpendicular to the goal. The attackmen behind the goal moves directly behind the net. The passing rules stay in place except that the crease player never moves. Because the other team is down a man the movements should be more effective and can lead to a quick goal scoring opportunity.

References

• "Lax Coach Mike": Lacrosse Coach 2 2 2 Offensive Set