subject: Conquering Your Opponent in a Face Off [print this page] Conquering Your Opponent in a Face Off Conquering Your Opponent in a Face Off
Lacrosse can, in more ways than one, be extremely complicated and complex. One of the most important things to remember while playing lacrosse is that the complexity comes from knowledge and application of the basics.
Professional lacrosse players learned the basics of the sport at Day 1 and have constantly been perfecting those basic skills and movements. Trying hard to master the technical stuff is much harder than taking it one step at a time.
One of the most basic fundamentals of lacrosse is the ability to win a face off. Many players don't even practice playing a face off because it intimidates them and looks too complicated. They do not thing they have what it takes to win a face off.
Winning the face off is much easier said than done, but often times misunderstood as being only suitable for the best players. Learning how to participate in a face off is the first step to winning a face off for yourself. Proper formation begins with you facing the goal of the other team as well as an opposing midfielder. .
Upon approach of your opponent you will lay your sticks on the field, perpendicular to each other. Make sure that your pockets no more and no less than 1 inch apart from each other.
Place your hand on your stick and be ready for action. The referee should be on the field already; he will show you the ball and place between the two pockets, never allowing it to touch the ground.
Now is the time to act and to act quickly. Strategy will play into your next few moves; overall there are a handful of strategies used to get the ball or to get the ball to your fellow mates. Make sure you know what your coach wants you to do. The formation and experience of your team as well as the opposing team will factor into this equation.
If you have a team of players that know how to handle the ball offensively, you may want to go with the "clamp step". The Clamp Step is used all the time and has proven to be effective.
In order to initiate this move, once the referee gives you the signal to begin, quickly roll the head of your stick over the ball so you are covering it. Once you have covered it and feel you are in a position where you can securely maneuver it, bring it toward your left leg for optimal protection.
In this same instant it is recommended that you lean into your opponent with your torso as if you were preparing for a powerful blow. Throw out your shoulders and available elbows and forearms forward to make sure your opponent can't get to the ball.
Once the ball is out of your opponent's reach, fling it back to your teammate that should be expecting it. This is the initiation of the play your coach should have planned out for you. Ensure that your teammate picks up the ball and commences the plan.
This is just one of many techniques. Just remember to focus on the fundamentals of lacrosse and you will surely succeed in a face off.
