Getting a 4th Pole on the Field

[Crusader9]

I am having some trouble getting my 4th pole in play on a consistent basis.

Our competition tends to drive up the field quickly and consistently (fastbreaking). Typically, I would like to set-up a really good ride to slow it down and help get my 4th pole on, but I can't get a good ride to do this.

What happens is my middie that changes loses his man, they get numbers while my 4th pole is chasing the play.

If I stick with my 3 mid's & 3 poles, I get caught in a "twins" scenario with two short sticks side by side and the opponent just dodges like mad from the top.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

[WHEELAX2]

unfortunately, it seems that you are only able to get the pole out there on dead balls, timeouts, etc.... there's a delicate balance between getting back on defense, and trying to get your pole out there every time.. a good way to get your pole out there is to have your shorties follow the subbing d mids from the other team.. if the other team is trying to get 0 guys out there, your guys should be sprinting with the 'subbing' middies from the other team to get your pole out there

[TAITERSALAD31]

The problems may lie with your initial ride.

If you run a "1 down" ride whereby everybody drops and you keep 1 attackman on the ball, it will slow down their clear dramatically. Pressure the ball with 1 attackman, drop the other 2 to the restraining line (one on the ballside box corner-where the top of the line and side of the line meet) and the other on the restraining line directly between the faceoff X and the goal. The first attackman will pressure the ball and if the defensive player passes to another D man or the goalie, the attackman in the middle of the field plays ball and the other two fill into the open spots to pick up the ball.

As for your mids, they should drop straight to the midline. One should go to the opposite-box side (at the X made by the midline and the faceoff wing line) and one should go to the faceoff X. The closest mid to the box should sprint straight to the box and exchange for the pole and he should fill it the other midline spot (X made by faceoff line and midfield line).

It's a basic ride that should eliminate a quick outlet to the mids and stop the fast break.

Also, make it a point to your mids not to let anybody behind them. As the defensemen and goalie walk up, drop your attackmen to the midline and your mids to your box line.


that'll work for dead ball sitautions.... but after a save.. its a lot harder to get set-up like that..... the best way would be to designate one midfielder on each line to be the guy running off for the pole.... as soon as a save is made he should haul *** to the box.. and have your pole on the far side of the box waiting to go

[WHEELAX2]

that'll work for dead ball sitautions.... but after a save.. its a lot harder to get set-up like that..... the best way would be to designate one midfielder on each line to be the guy running off for the pole.... as soon as a save is made he should haul *** to the box.. and have your pole on the far side of the box waiting to go


tait.. get your pole on the field!

[BuckWyld]

After the turnover the middie on your team who is covering their lp follows him off the field and your lp goes on. This way you know that the middie leaving the field will not be leaving a man open somewhere on the field.

[TAITERSALAD31]

But Kev, if you drop your mids back (even after a save), you take away the fast break, and by pressuring the goalie you force him to roll behind the goal, and allow that designated mid to sprint to the box. I just omitted the fact that it should be a predetermined mid that exchanges for the pole (the one that sucks most on defense) and to go to the defensive side of the box and be ready to take off.

word.. i hear ya brother

[Longpole5435]

if they have a pole coming off, your guy should follow him off obviously, and ideally beat him off so you get the pole out there. if oyu get the pole out there early and you get the ball back its easier to sub the pole off than to have to worry about not having the pole on defense.