Glossary – Team Offense (See Skill Analysis)

• Give-And-Go (See Offense Drill #1B):  A quick pass back and forth between two teammates, at times with a hesitation in between.  Pass to a teammate, cut to the net, and then receive a return pass back.

• Tic-Tac-Toe/Stringing Passes Together (See Offense Drill #7B):  At the higher levels of lacrosse it becomes necessary to “string multiple passes together” before shooting (see swinging the ball & skip passes), in order to ensure that a quality scoring opportunity is created.  A player attempting to go one-on-one and/or taking a shot before the ball has been swung, are both considered low percentage and should be avoided for fear of creating a stagnant offense. 

• Picks/“Setting” Picks/Chips/Seals/Screens/"Sealing The Edge"/"Finessing The Seal"/Seal & Pick Assists (See Offense Drill #5A):  A “pick” is a technique used to get a teammate open, either on-ball or off-ball, by using straight arms and pushing off of their teammates check, or by using one’s body (hip) to cut-off a defender who is attempting to defend their check (also known as "chipping").  A good picker will disguise the pick by first cutting into the middle of the defense and ideally catching the defender by surprise with a back-pick.  The player being picked for also has the responsibility of engaging and then running their check into a prospective pick. 

• “Fly-By” Picks/Using Picks:  Are instances where a solid pick should be set, but isn’t.  One type of “fly-by” is when a player doesn’t “use a pick” and moves in the opposite direction.  The other is moving too soon before the pick arrives, as the pick should undoubtedly be “set” before the ball-carrier commits to going around it.  Both forms of fly-by picks should be highly discouraged by coaches and can be a huge problem turning an offense “stagnant,” if not actively addressed (accountability).

• Illegal Picks & Seals/Moving Picks/Moving Seal:  "Illegal picks" occur when players load up their arms and over-extend (aggressively) when pushing off, after setting a pick (in an attempt to create separation).  This action is illegal and results in the referee calling an automatic loss of ball possession; players should keep their arms straight as a defining factor for the pick (push-off) to be deemed legal, or not. 

• Up-Pick (See Offense Drill #5B):  An "up-pick" is when the player at the crease (or mid-board) picks for the same side shooter or point position (player).  Up-picks can be set on any side (or ideally the back) of a defender, with both offensive players reacting to which side the pick is set.  

• Down-Pick (See Offense Drill #5A):  A "down-pick" is when a player at the point or shooter position picks at the same-side crease or mid-boards.  Down-picks can be set on any side (or ideally the back) of a defender, with both offensive players reacting to which side the pick is set. 

• East-West Pick/Inside-Out Pick/Cross Pick:  A pick that moves from side-board to side-board or the middle to the side-board in orientation, is known as an east-west or "inside-out" pick.  A "cross-pick" is a pick on a player's wrong-floor side and should be used sparingly.  

• Pick & Roll/Pick & Roll Game/Screen & Roll/Seal & Roll (See Offense Drill #6B):  A "pick & roll" is an offensive strategy for creating separation and 2-on-1’s, both on-ball and off-ball, in the middle of the offensive zone.  A good pick starts off with a good V-cut to the middle of the floor, eventually running back towards the same-side, and ideally picking a defender on their lower back (back pick).  The picker must disguise the pick by making the defender believe he/she is cutting toward the net.  The player who is being picked for also needs to be cunning in their use of the pick, first engaging their defender or perhaps counter-stepping, eventually carrying the ball in the direction that the pick comes from.  

• Re-Picking/Re-Sealing (See Offense Drill #10):  The first pick or seal doesn’t always work, either because of exceptional defense or a general lack of execution.  Players should try a second and third attempt at a pick (“re-picking” or "re-sealing), especially on the weak-side on-ball, before abandoning the play.

• Fake Pick:  Lazy defenders will occasionally attempt to switch checks too soon when they perceive a pick situation unfolding.  Fake picks are one of the best methods to defeating the early switch (automatic) by defenders, and there are two types:  “brush picks” and “slip picks.”

• Brush Pick:  When the picker acts like (fakes) they are going to set a pick on an offensive teammate’s defender, but just make slight contact with them (brushes them) before cutting to the net.  The act of contact (or brushing) makes the defenders think they need to employ the “switch technique,” causing confusion between the defenders when the picker or ball carrier then immediately cut to the net or open space.

• Slip Pick:  A slip pick is when the picker acts like (fakes) they are going to set a pick on an offensive teammate’s defender, but just before they finish their V-cut they instead cut to the net, rather than picking, thereby surprising the defender.  Most slip picks happen off of an up-pick from the crease player, as the ball carrier drags into the seam; but may also happen on down-picks at the mid-boards  

• Pick & Pop (See Offense Drill #9B):  Occasionally instead of doing a pick & roll, offensive players will do a brush pick and pop out/up into a soft spot.  For example, after doing an up-pick a player can, instead of “rolling,” pop up into the point position (read the defense) and perhaps be open for a quick catch and shoot scenario.

• “Freeing Up”/Freeing Up Hands:  “Freeing up hands” refers to a player creating time & space to get their hands, or a teammates hands, open for a shot or “uncontested” cut through the middle.  

• 2-On-1 (See Offense Drill #8):  A situation where a ball carrier has beaten their check, creating an odd-player advantage in or around the offensive zone.  

• Soft Spots/Gray Areas (See Legend):  Areas of open space or areas where space tends to open up, usually as a result of offensive ball movement in the offensive zone.  The most common "soft spot" is between the shooter and crease; however, a soft spot between the shooter and point position can also open up, such as in a pick & pop. 

• Offensive System/Offensive Set/Set-Offense (See Playbook):  An “offensive set” is a settled even strength situation, involving three different standard offensive positions on the floor:  two crease players down “low” (close to the net), two shooters up “high” in the “corners” of the prime scoring area, and one point player at the top centre (either left-handed or right-handed); all on their proper floor sides.  Ultimately, every offensive player should be able to execute the “set-offense” from all three positions, although players generally feel most comfortable up high or down low (see offensive specialists). 

• “Swinging” The Ball/Swing Pass/Keeping It “Hot”/Ball Movement/Passing “Around The Horn”/“Getting A Touch”/Shortening Up The Pass:  (See Stickwork Drill #6A):  Otherwise known as “keeping the ball hot,” “swinging” the ball refers to moving the ball from one side of the floor to the other, ensuring that every player “gets a touch” of the ball during a 30 second offensive possession, and that the ball doesn’t stay in one player’s stick for an excessive amount of time (5 seconds max). 

• Reversing The Ball/Passing The Ball Through “X”/Passing Behind The Net (See Stickwork Drill #10):  Offensive Players should intermittently “reverse” the ball with a pass behind the net (also known as “X”), whenever it can be done without disrupting the flow of the offense.  Otherwise, the ball can be reversed more purposefully, in both cases forcing the defenders and goaltender to have to adjust their positions.  Swinging the ball is usually the best method for accomplishing this, but it can also be accomplished passing the ball from crease player-to-crease player behind the net, which forces defenders and goalies to adjust in a way irregular to what they are commonly used to.  It can also be an irregular and therefore effective "trigger," for Powerplays and Set-Plays.  

• Motion/Cycling/ABC's Of Offense/Keeping Your Feet Moving (See Offense Drill #7A):  Effective team offense promotes swinging the ball, plenty of "motion," pick & roll game; in other words “pass, pick, pop, roll, replace, cut, shoot,” as Casey Powell describes it.  Spread the defense by staying wide, while also adjusting one’s position to help create open passing lanes.  Avoid the temptation to creep towards the ball, and do not allow the off-ball defenders to sag and stand in help positions; keep them engaged with hard work and tenacity.  In order for an offense to be effective, all players on the floor must be involved; there can be no spectators or it will not be effective.  “Always Be Cycling (ABC’s Of Offense)” refers to players continuously making meaningful (purposeful) movement, both on-ball and off-ball, “moving” through all of the standard offensive positions on any given shift. 

• “Flow”/“Rhythm”/“Chemistry” (See Offense Drill #11):  While playing offense, “flow” is when the ball is in constant motion; in a players stick for no more than 3-4 seconds; while everyone on the floor is constantly “cycling” and players are demonstrating above average shot selection. 

• “Stagnant” Offense:  Occurs when there is no “flow” on offense and the defense is controlling the “momentum” of the game. 

• "Ragging" The Ball:  A short-handed team will usually give the ball to their best ball handlers (play makers) and have them try to “kill” the clock, evading any double-team attempts while trying not to go back-over the rag-line; usually going to the net in the last 5 seconds of the shot clock.  Another "rag" situation is when a team is winning late in a game, trying to kill the clock to solidify the win, while the other team try's to get the "Ball Back."

• Momentum/Morale/Camaraderie: When an opposing team has scored several consecutive goals without the other team scoring, understandably the mood (“morale”) of that team will be down. Strong teams are able to stay focused and resolve to their principles, if they truly believe in each other (trust).

• Stopping Momentum:  When the opposing team has the “momentum,” a remedy is required to stop it.  A time-out is the most immediate action that can be taken, but there are a few other tricks as well. 

• Set-Plays/Focus Plays/Ghost Plays/Skeleton Plays/Play Names (See Set-Play Tactics Analysis):  A predetermined set of actions executed by an Offense or Defense, in a settled situation, whether even-strength or with an extra player, developed and practiced to create an advantage or opportunity during a game, is called a "set-play" or "focus play."  Usually teams will try a “set-play” on offense after a time-out, dead ball, or the first possession of a period/quarter.  However, great coaches and teams are also able to perform set-plays “on the fly” because they have been practiced so much that explanations of the play are no longer needed, and the “timing” of the play is well understood by the players.  These plays can also be given a "name" so players can call it out (loud) on the floor, bringing everyone on the same page for what's about to happen next.  

• 8 Seconds (See Playbook):  When a 6-on-5 set-play happens in the last 30 seconds of a period or game, it usually starts (triggers) with no passes “around the horn” and “8 seconds” left on the shot or game clock.  In that way, should the defending team somehow obtain the ball off of a rebound or turnover, they would then only be able to huck the ball from one end of the floor to the other (i.e. not enough time to realistically score with perhaps only 3 seconds left on the game clock).  It is also done for timing purposes.  

• Timing/Triggers/Execution (See Playbook):  Set-plays and other aspects of Team Offense and Team Defense will not be effective unless players do what they are supposed to do, when they are supposed to do them.  Usually there are pre-determined "triggers" that indicate when players are supposed to "execute" their job on the set-play.  This could mean:  start the set-play after the 2^nd pass, set a pick with 8 seconds left on the game clock, or (defensively) to pressure the ball the second time it is passed to the point player, for example.  Other common triggers include "passing around the horn" on a Powerplay and sometimes passing behind the net from crease-to-crease. 

• Overloading/Flooding (See Offense Drill #4A):  Flooding is the strategy of moving a large number of players into one area of the floor to help free up space in another area; to confuse the defense.  The majority of the time an overload is used to help set-up an Isolation-Play on the opposite side of the floor, a Double-Pick play on the ball-side, or possibly a “Delay” set-play off of the bench. 

• Hidden Ball Trick: When a player without the ball cradles their stick as if they have it, drawing the attention of the defense while a teammate who actually has the ball (disguised) takes a shot on net.