Man Down Defense Against 2-1-3

By: Jack Kaley and Rich Donovan

Originally Published in: Lacrosse Essentials

Provided by: Human Kinetics

In an offensive set that has two men behind, the wingmen are responsible for the attackmen behind the cage. If the formation has an odd set on top (e. g., 2-1-3, 2-3-1, or 1-4-1), the crease defenseman picks up the lone or center offensive player when the ball is on top. The responsibilities of all the players are the same as earlier stated. The man playing the ball carrier presses the ball. Two adjacent defenders play the man in their zone and cut off the passing lanes. The two men farthest from the ball and the crease defenseman are played by the two remaining defenders (see figure 11.2).

If A2 has the ball behind, W2 plays the ball, and WI. is responsible for Al but is still be in the passing lanes from W2 to Ml. The short-stick midfielder on top is responsible for M3 and the passing lane from W2 to M2. The crease defenseman plays A3 as shown. LSM, the man farthest from the ball, splits the two men farthest from the ball (M1 and M2). As the ball is passed up top to M3, the following slides occur. The crease defenseman is responsible for the middle top offensive player (M2). WI and W2 move up to the crease area as shown. WI has primary responsibility for A3, as long as he stays low or to the offside. If he pops out high, the crease defenseman helps. W2 helps by putting his stick in the passing lane and picks up A3 if he overloads ball side. As the ball moves to center top, the crease defenseman comes out and plays him. The short stick and LSM drop off into the passing lanes and remain aware of the creaseman (A3) if he pops out high into their zones.

Note how the defensive concepts are always the same. The adjacent men slough in to cover lanes; the two men farthest from the ball are responsible for the remaining three offensive players. The farthest defensive player sloughs into the crease, leaving the farthest offensive player uncovered away from the ball. In most situations, two or more players are responsible for helping on the crease. As the ball moves around the perimeter, it is essential that the men move on and off the ball quickly and constantly swivel their head back and forth so they are aware of the man whose passing lane they are responsible for. This fundamental was emphasized earlier in chapter 3 in a 3v2 drill and 6v5 drill.