Going From Field to Box

[mr laxplaya33]

Hi I'm new to this site and I have a few questions. I have been playing field for three years and have just started box. My team is a no practice team where we just show up and play. I was wondering what are some good tips I can use in box that are different from field. I play attack. Thanks.

[monmlax]

a lot of stuff is legal in box that would get a lot of EMO's in field. Prepare to take a beating. On the flip side no long poles. Have fun

[MontclairLax]

Are you playing actual box or just indoor?

[Hooligan]

Best tips to play box:

1. Learn to transition on and off the bench quickly. Make sure that you can get on and off the bench legally (make sure you don't get caught with too many men on the field), and pick up your assignments so that there aren't any fast breaks. Also, you have to acquire an instinct for when its a good time to get off the field, and when its a good time to stay with your assignment, to keep fast breaks to a minimum.

2. Learn to work with picks. Picks will create offensive drives and scoring opportunities more than straight ability. If you're playing a good box defense, you won't be able to lose defenders easily, like you can in a man on man field defense. Learn to "pick and roll" and to catch passes and toss passes quickly, and have a good sense on where the net is and shoot quickly. You may be able to set up slam dunk plays where you pick and roll, then pass to someone by the net who can utilize a goalie commitment, and dump it in the open spot in the net. You'll find out by doing and trying different things, what works best.

3. Play a zone defense. What do I mean by that? Well, make sure that you don't get caught playing man on man. The Philadelphia Wings found out how this strategy just doesn't work against a straight up box offense. Make sure you set up a zone where each defender has a section of field that they cover, and make sure that you don't overlap too much. This way, defenders aren't committed to one player in particular, which reduces the vulnerablilty to picks, and deep offensive runs.

4. Move the ball quickly. The quicker you move downfield, the more scoring opportunities you'll have. The idea is to set up as many odd-man rushes as possible. Its always easier to score with less defenseman to go through. Of course this refers back to the transition game, where you have to have a good instinct for how to set up transitions.

5. Goalies, play the ball not the player. What this means is always keep an eye on the ball, and don't worry about whats going on behind you or around you. Make sure that you allow your defense to do its job. If someone breaks through with the ball, keep yourself square to the ball, and take away scoring lanes, and move towards the shot. React to the shot with your stick, body and feet. In that way,you don't over-commit to a particular shot. Most box players use a lot of "whip" in their stick, which allows them to fake more, which is why you need to reat to the shot, and not the player.

[tokiolax]

its like basketball

[Hooligan]

Exactly. Boxlax would be the offspring if basketball and hockey had a child. The skills of basketball, and the rules and feel of hockey. If you know how to play either one of those sports in addition to lax, you can rule in box.

[mr laxplaya33]

Thanks for the help. I think we are actually just playing indoor because some players on my team use long poles and the refs have not told them they cant use them so i guess it is just indoor. Also is there any specific tips for attack that can help me score that is diff from field.

[Hawksgoalie39]

do the goalies were hockey like pads? if so it is box, if the goalies are wearing normal field equipment it is indoor.

[Hooligan]

do the goalies were hockey like pads? if so it is box, if the goalies are wearing normal field equipment it is indoor.
Not hockey pads, but indoor lax gear. Check out (edit, the link I gave is wrong...hmmm) to help you out on what you need in terms of goalie stuff.

I'm going to have to get back to you on what sites can help out...gimme a few.