When to go after ground balls?

[CaVLaX19]

What's the general rule of thumb when it comes to going after ground balls? On defense, I tend to stay with my man unless he goes for the ground ball because I don't want have went for a ground ball, but the other team picks it up, and he's wide open on the crease or something. However, it feels wrong just watching like that. Same thing on offense, instead of going after it, I try to get open, so my teammates have someone to look for if they get the ball for a nice feed, but that usually never happens. This also feels weird. I play midfield by the way. When are you supposed to go after them and when are you not?

[EastCoastDeft]

I do the same, i stay open until there is a feed. On defense look where it is, if its 5 feet from the box; stay home, if its any closer take it and either go or feed it.

[spyopticgoggles]

on defense, just follow your man. on offense, i usually go for them unless they are on the other side of the field. for this, i go up by the midfield line to prevent the fast break.

[italianstalion]

For me it all depends on how many people are going after ball. I don't go jumping into a ground ball scrum with 4 other people, that's just stupid. I scored a goal this season because of my decision NOT to join everybody in a ground ball scrum. The ball popped right out to me in the crease, and it was just me and the goalie..faked high and shot low.

[MiddieMan05]

i agree with italionstalion. It's all about what the situation looks like. If two opponents are going after it and only one of your guys, then help him out and call man and ball. If theres already a good scrum going on, stay back and try to get open. Defensively, if your man goes for a gb, chase him unless it goes out to like midfield. If its in the box or around that area, I'd say go get the ball.

[StallionsLax08]

What's the general rule of thumb when it comes to going after ground balls? On defense, I tend to stay with my man unless he goes for the ground ball because I don't want have went for a ground ball, but the other team picks it up, and he's wide open on the crease or something. However, it feels wrong just watching like that. Same thing on offense, instead of going after it, I try to get open, so my teammates have someone to look for if they get the ball for a nice feed, but that usually never happens. This also feels weird. I play midfield by the way. When are you supposed to go after them and when are you not?

But when that does happen you look so good and when it doesn't people look at you as lazy :( lol this is a good question.

Normally (playing x)
I chase after ground balls that are within the restraining line but other than that I try the whole feed open thing.

[lax-crazy]

If you are close enough to go help out on a ground ball fight why not go?

I mean if you go your attackmen isnt going to sit there for the pass since it will be 2 on 1 he will also follow. Just make sure you can get there and be of help.

[tomtom]

The problem, lax crazy, is that in the time in may take you to get to the gb, the offense could easily pick it up and feed.

In general, determine whether your man is a threat where he is at, and determine the threat level of the gb being fought for. If its outside the box, stay close to home. But a gb on the crease should be a top priority. Just keep yourself in good position to get back to your man. A person on the crease poses a far greater risk than, say, a wingman, who in order to get a god shot would have to dodge up into a better angle, giving you time to recover.

[lax-crazy]

The problem, lax crazy, is that in the time in may take you to get to the gb, the offense could easily pick it up and feed.

In general, determine whether your man is a threat where he is at, and determine the threat level of the gb being fought for. If its outside the box, stay close to home. But a gb on the crease should be a top priority. Just keep yourself in good position to get back to your man. A person on the crease poses a far greater risk than, say, a wingman, who in order to get a god shot would have to dodge up into a better angle, giving you time to recover.

if you leave the D should see that and sluff over. Plus I am talking about going the second you see drop or get checked out, if the man covering the offensive player knows what he is doing then he would box the O man out once the ball is checked out or dropped. Leaving you in a man ball situation.
Also the chances of him scooping up a GB and feeding it while he is unde a double would be fairly difficult.