2-3-1 Alley Dodge with a “Shallow” Clear Through
We've seen this simple play several times this season from college and Pro teams. It's an easy way to give your players space to Dodge, and get open for good, easy shots up top!
(Cover photo courtesy of Di Miller Photography)
We first saw Marquette and Maryland run this play in the NCAA Tournament. Then we noticed the New York Lizards running it in their MLL Playoff Semifinal. If the Pros are doing it, you probably should too.
Shallow Clear Throughs are a simple way to get two players to exchange and rotate to get open, and create space for the man with the ball. This is an easier offensive skill to teach younger players than the more complex 3-man or 6-man triangle rotations that make up the traditional 2-3-1 Motion Offense.
Teach your players to "Clear Through" for the man with the ball, so he has space to dodge without running right into a Double-Team. This is one of the fundamental skills of playing team Offense. If attacking players "Off Ball" (without the ball) move out of the way, their Defenders have to follow out of the way also.
HERE'S THE PLAY:
Figure 1.) How do you know when it's a "Good Time!" to start your offense? We usually start this play when the ball goes from one side of the field to the other, right-to-left or left-to-right.
Draw the Defense to one side of the field, then move the ball to attack the other side where there is more space and fewer players.
The Crease Attacker (Blue 3) should "Stretch" to the back pipe of the goal. He needs to create space for the Dodger and draw his Defender away from the ball.
RELATED PLAYS & DRILLS:
- 3-1-2 Alley Dodge: This is a simpler version of the classic Alley Dodge that leaves out some of the more complex rotations of the tradition Motion Offense that can confuse younger and beginning players.
- 2-3-1 Alley Dodge with a Crease Pop: We saw Team USA using this slight variation of the classic Alley Dodge in their last Champions Challenge against one of the top NCAA teams.
- 2-3-1 Dodge from "X": Another standard play that every lacrosse player should know, dodging from behind the goal is a great way to attack the Defense before or after an Alley Dodge from up top!
- 2-3-1 Pass Down, Pick Down: Very similar to an adjacent "Shallow" Clear Through play, this is a Pick & Roll Offense we actually picked up from Box Lacrosse!
