Mastering the 2 & 3 Player Game

Mastering the 2 & 3 Player Game (by Brett Garber)

The 2-3 Player game is the foundation of modern offense because it helps create advantages and defensive rotations. By using picks, slips, and off-ball movement, players learn how to read the defense, create advantages, and make decisions in real time. Instead of memorizing set plays, players learn how to react to defensive pressure, whether the defense switches, goes under, hedges, or slides, and work together to create high-quality scoring opportunities. When players understand how to play out of the 2-player and 3-player game, the offense becomes harder to defend, more creative, and more efficient because it is based on spacing, timing, and decision-making rather than just

Players must understand these core principles before setting picks:

• Spacing

  • We want to be spaced properly so a 3rd defender cannot quickly double team us. Executing from X or the wings, will get you the best starting space. You can get this set up using various spacing sets (first number is behind the goal)

  • 1-4-1 (wing)
  • 2-2-2  (wings or X)
  • 1-3-2 (wings)
  • 2-3-1 (X)

• Picker Rules

  • Always Arrive Alone (AAA). We want to be deceptive with our picks, so making v-cuts before setting the picks, will help slow down the arriving defender while creating a little uncertainty on the defensive Communication side.

  • Proper Approach Angle:  Our backs should be facing the direction we want our teammate to go. If we are on the wing, and my back is facing the midline, my teammate will have to run too far north before getting back down hill (see image diagram).

  • The Roll Off – After we set the pick, we ALWAYS open up to our teammate. Your eyes should be following them, so you can read the defense. If you Turn your back and head, you lose sight of any quick decision your teammate will need to make

• Stand Still & Shoulder to Shoulder

  • Picker must have No Movement- BE a Statue, a moving pick will lead to an unforced turnover

  • A well executed pick, the offensive teammate should be rubbing shoulders. Too big of a gap makes It easy for a defender to get through or switch

• Coverage Solutions 

  • The defense can do various coverages, that include trying to get through and stay with matchup, switch matchups, or double team the ball carrier.

  • If they want to Stay: We need to STICK the Pick
  • If they Switch: We Want to SLIP the Pick
    • When we slip, players need sure to Slip to SPACE. If they slip into a part of the field where another defender is already there to help, it makes it very hard to connect.
  • If they Jump/Double Team: We need to roll away as the ball carrier and picker should Flare Out to Support. Other adjacent teammates on field should also fear for support

• Dodger Rules 

  • Set up your Defender – Carry/drift with the ball into the location you want to start. You can manipulate the defense by getting them out of position simply by pulling them into a direction where you want to re-attack from

  • Play Fast & Get Topside –  If you see your defender taking a low angle, and you get a step (especially on a sticked pick), Dodge HARD and Attack the topside – Dodgers should be attacking with with a purpose, the faster we go, the harder it is on the defense.

  • Read The Cheat – If the defender and off ball pick defender are cheating up field to take away topside, sell the dodge but then REJECT the pick and go Under. Change directions quick and accelerate protecting your stick

• Eyes Up (decision making)

  • This a general rule of thumb for any dodger. If you dodge with your head down, you become a 1 dimensional player. Eyes up allows you to read the field, and see teammates that get open due to the defense reacting to you as a dodger

If these aren’t in place, picks don’t work.

Please Note for YOUTH Coaches: As a coach who has worked with all ages and skill levels, I typically begin teaching these principles around age 1o or 11, and sometimes closer to 12 depending on the skill level of the group. At the younger ages, rather than teaching players to set picks, we focus on shallow cuts that mirror and prepare players for the pick game. We strongly encourage coaches to adjust the drills shown based on their team’s age and skill level. Lacrosse Drive should always be used as a starting point — drills can be made easier or more challenging by adjusting the constraints.