simple middle school offense

there are many philosophies on what kind of offense to run at the MS level. the internet is full of "set" plays run from various formations, featuring picks, double picks, sweeps, motion, etc.

set plays are great, if you have the entire team show up on play day, and have the luxury of practicing them multiple times to get everyone on the same page.

i have watched offensive coaches put in plays for years. i have yet to see more than a handful ever executed with players at the MS level.

i get a kick out of coaches yelling "GET IN HOPKINS" or "RUN SYRACUSE" from the sidelines, only to see a mass of confusion ending in a turnover complete with a fast break goal the other way.

lets face it, you may get 50% of a seventh or eighth grade team to remember a set play at best. that leaves three or your six offensive guys without a clue.

here are some remedies:

1/ teach formations not plays. kids will catch on to a 1-4-1 set or a 2-3-1 quickly. simply moving from one formation to another creates looks and goals.

2/ stay away from tricky names. calling one set Hobart and the next set Hopkins tends to lose some of the pack. I use "14" for the 1-4-1, "23" for the 2-3-1, "22" for the 2-2-2 and "33" for the 3-3 if we run it. The other sideline will know the formation as well. Not a big deal at this level. I you want to disguise it just throw in a word that means nothing, i.e. "jack 14" or
"23 crash".

3/ get it hot. its always a huge frustration when youth players refuse to move the ball around the horn. I have a simple call that virtually eliminated the 1 pass and a shot mentality.
i simply call a color and number combination. for instance "white 7" means we need 7 touches before any one dodges or shoots, i will call "blue 6" or "red 5" etc., etc.

it sounds too simple to work, but it does. like magic sometimes.

4/ "XRAY" . Need to get it to X or settle it to sub? call XRAY. i make a big deal out of this call. make sure the whole team barks it out and respects the call. it will help you settle, get the ball to your best ball handler or feeder and give you time to get a pole off or sub fresh middies.

we always joke OBEY XRAY it sounds goofy, but works like a charm.

I hope this helps...

finding a spot

at the youth level, playing time should be more important than wins. the problem is not winning is hard on teams.

its very hard to throw in a 3rd line group of players when the game is on the line. over the years i have tried several methods to evenly distribute playing time, it is always challenging from a coaches perspective.

here are a few tips which may make the task less painful.

1. determine before the season starts what your team goal is. do you want to win games? or do you want to get kids on the field? let players and parents know before you start the season. if you are going to double shift first line middies or give your best players a ton of minutes, it cannot be a secret. parents may opt not to sign up if their kids are not guaranteed playing time.if your philosophy is geared towards instructional and skill development , you have to stick to the program as well. waining back and forth will result in agony for parents and player alike.

be realistic. it is next to impossible to guarantee every player equal minutes.

2. if you have way too many kids, consider a second or third team. if that is not possible make cuts. 30 kids on a sideline is never a good scenario.
if forming "A" "B" and/or "C" squads is an option, and you can get coaches, go for it. my rule of thumb is 18 minimum, 25 maximum. cutting is not the end of the world, some of the best players in the world were cut a one time or another.

you can have more on a team is you have the luxury of a long stick middie or 2 and a 2nd goalie. some believe 15 is enough, but if you factor in no shows, other sports, injuries or other issues that effect attendance, you may end up at a game with 11 kids showing up. I rarely see 100% attendance at this level.

3. specialized positions. if you are blessed with too many lacrosse players, or need a place to put a kids who needs to gain some confidence try these:

FOGO - face off, get off. if a player is OK with this role, assign one player this important role or rotate a few players in each game

long stick middies - a great position that requires a great stick, speed and intelligence. try not to give this spot to a slower kid or one with an average stick


man down defense specialists- that 4th pole that is still learning? put him on the crease or at the lefty shooter spot. have them call off the middies at get it set up- its a great role i have had great sucess in the past with my "man down captain"

defensive midfielders,- not real good with the stick but a great athelete? D Middie! beleive it or not, not every kid in the world wants to get a goal, some would much rather be a stopper

man up players- got a lazy kid with a cannon? let him rip it on the EMO.

back up goalies - this is a great spot for a kid who will accept the challenge. make sure to teach the position in detail, and to work them in slowly. see my youth goalie post for some ideas.

crease attack - the best place in the world for that kid who won't run or doesn't have the world best stick skills. teach to set picks, screen the goalie, grab some ground balls, catch turn and shoot, or get a few garbage goals.

more next week...