Lacrosse: Getting the most from the 2-3-1 formation

One of the more familiar formations in lacrosse at any level is the 2-3-1, but just because it’s familiar doesn’t mean it’s fully understood.

It’s critical for head coaches to firmly grasp the concepts behind this formation before trying to teach it to staff and players. I coached and played for many years, but it wasn’t until I broke down the 2-3-1 by studying film and reviewing notes from clinics that I felt my teams were getting all that they could from this formation.

This is especially important at the lower levels, where there just isn’t time to put in multiple formations, and teams end up living and dying on how well they execute the 2-3-1.

DIAGRAM 1: 2-3-1 Formation. This set creates space and puts pressure on the defense. If your players are active, they are certain to have scoring opportunities.

Advantages of the 2-3-1

To begin with, the 2-3-1 creates good spacing, which makes it easy to unbalance the defense with dodging — but players cannot just dodge to dodge. They must dodge to pass, and to be more than a simple two-dimensional player.

The players who are off the ball must, at the same time, be active so that the player with the ball doesn’t get double-teamed. One way to remain active is by sealing, which the 2-3-1 sets up nicely because it creates space. There’s more room in the middle, so it’s easier to avoid double-teams and seal defenders.

Finally, the ball can be moved through the “X” to the other side very quickly, which puts pressure on the defense.

Disadvantages of the 2-3-1

If players aren’t constantly in motion, the 2-3-1 stalls. Players cannot settle for one pass and go — they must continue passing to keep the defense off balance, or there won’t be any weak-side holes. Good passers are critical, as teams often have to make multiple passes to create opportunities.

In-tight shooters are also important, because the defense typically sets low against this formation. Finally, the top middies must understand they are going to play a big role in creating shots for other players.

A set play

This play is called “North Carolina.” It’s a simple curl, but for this play to work there must be a good feeder at the top of the box and a great finisher to connect on the low corner shot.

DIAGRAM 2: North Carolina (A). The attackers (A1, A2 and A3) are at the X and the goal-line extended, while one middie is at the crease and the other two start higher. The play starts from ball side, with a pass from one of the top middies to the other (in this case M1 to M2). After the pass, the middie who passed screens for the middie at the crease (M3), and the attackman on the weak side screens for the attackman at the X (in this example it’s A2 for A1).

DIAGRAM 3: North Carolina (B). The middie with the ball (M2) now uses a change-of-direction dodge and moves across to the side of the field where the screens have been set. M2 must move quickly, and ideally M2 gets to a spot where there is an easy pass to one of the open offensive players just as they are coming off the screen.

DIAGRAM 4: North Carolina (C). M2 has two options and either A1 or M3 should be open. Good screens, good cuts and a good pass should result in a good shot.

It’s important to be able to adjust to a double-team on the ball. Make sure that your other middies know they must be ready to relieve the pressure and reset the play.