Crease Attack

[laxattack1616]

I learned yesterday that im gonna be playing alot of attack this year, mostly crease. What are some skills that good attackmen have? I know you should be a complete player, but what makes an attackman stand out?

[murr44]

quick hands

[The Doors]

exactly....u need to have quick hands and a good sense of what your doing...the crease man is integral in almost all offenses...you need to screen the goalie, set and pop off pics, and be able to quick stick both right and left handed, but most importantly u need to be able to take a hit, cuz ur gonna be hit a bunch on the crease

[Project X]

I play D and I've only actually played against a crease attack one time this year (I play X/crease attack, but normally they have a crease middie). One thing I can tell you is you need to have good quick stick skills, its almost essential. In that one game I played a crease attack guy, I was able to stop a good scoring opportunity several times because he didn't just quickstick it. If you can get good quickstick skills, you will be able to cut, get the feed, and get it in before your defender can react. Also, you should cut a lot. Cut and get yourself open. If you just can't beat your D man that day or something and can't score on the crease, cut to clear your man out so someone else can cut into the crease, or have an easier shot on goal. Or, try to just set up screens on the goalie so that someone else can rocket a shot past him without him seeing the ball and having time to react.

So basically, cut, quickstick, and screen and that will get you some good basic skills. Our attack that ends up on the crease a lot happens to be really tall, so he cuts for the ball, puts his stick way up so he can be seen, gets the feed and just quicksticks it right in, he scores almost every time he gets the ball on the crease (as he should).

[fossil8412]

I think the quick issue has definitely been amply stressed, so I'm going to suggest learning to always keep your head on the swivel. As a crease attackman, you will be responsible for generating a lot of your team's offense. Make sure you are always looking up for the pass, as if you look hard enough there is almost always a man open for a perfect goal opportunity (and an assist for you!). Developing a left hand will also be essential, as most defenses will quickly catch on if you are constantly making plays from your right side (which will lead to your opposing team trying to force you left). Attack is a fun position, and gets a lot of glory when goals are scored. So, make sure your inside shots are good and that you can place the ball accurately in all 4 corners of the goal.

[laxattack1616]

I think the quick issue has definitely been amply stressed, so I'm going to suggest learning to always keep your head on the swivel. As a crease attackman, you will be responsible for generating a lot of your team's offense. Make sure you are always looking up for the pass, as if you look hard enough there is almost always a man open for a perfect goal opportunity (and an assist for you!). Developing a left hand will also be essential, as most defenses will quickly catch on if you are constantly making plays from your right side (which will lead to your opposing team trying to force you left). Attack is a fun position, and gets a lot of glory when goals are scored. So, make sure your inside shots are good and that you can place the ball accurately in all 4 corners of the goal.
Ok, the coach thinks im really new and dont know anything about the game, even though I do. Why would he put me at this position? Hes also putting other beginners who are far worse than me at this positon.

[fossil8412]

Ok, the coach thinks im really new and dont know anything about the game, even though I do. Why would he put me at this position? Hes also putting other beginners who are far worse than me at this positon.

I don't really know. Your coach may not be that intelligent, he is simply trying to isolate those people from playtime and let them hide behind the goal, he only wants them there to regain possession after a shot, he thinks they have good stick skills but thats it, they are big, etc. etc. Fact is, the crease position is essential to any solid offense and you need to make sure that you can hold your own on the crease.

[Bobsch]

Ok, the coach thinks im really new and dont know anything about the game, even though I do. Why would he put me at this position? Hes also putting other beginners who are far worse than me at this positon.
What kind of offense do you run? How fast are you and how well do you feed? How tough are you and can you get shots off under pressure and quickstick?

[laxattack1616]

I don't really know. Your coach may not be that intelligent, he is simply trying to isolate those people from playtime and let them hide behind the goal, he only wants them there to regain possession after a shot, he thinks they have good stick skills but thats it, they are big, etc. etc. Fact is, the crease position is essential to any solid offense and you need to make sure that you can hold your own on the crease.
My coach is intelligent and played lax for a long time, so he knows what hes doing. Oh, im not hiding behind the goal either, im right in front.
What kind of offense do you run? How fast are you and how well do you feed? How tough are you and can you get shots off under pressure and quickstick?
The only play we have worked on is in the midfield. Its basically just a pick and roll but it if the feed isnt there we pass it to an attackman behind the goal and set up another one. We're only supposed to do this if its really settled, otherwise he just wants us to run and gun.

Im not really fast, but im not too slow either. I do about a 5.5 40 i think. I feed ok I guess. Il take hits but if a dpole is beating the living **** outta me I back away, and I guess i can shoot ok under pressure if im one on one wite my defender.

[Bobsch]

Sometimes, if a coach thinks someone can feed and dodge better, he might have them working from X. If he thinks they are tough, can take a hit, and can get a shot off under pressure, he'll put them at crease. I've seen great athletes and bad ones play crease very well, but they could all take a hit and shoot as they are doing it. You also want your creaseman to be smart enough to know where to go (screen or set a low or high post or work in tandem with another creaseman, if you run a 2-2-2 or 1-4-1). Creasemen have to have a lot of discipline, too. They don't always get to do the exciting things, but if they do their job, they get lots of goals and set others up for lots of goals.

[ShockerAutc]

Everyone has given great advice. Its my second yr playing and first yr our team has played any games, and I think the things that are most important are the fundamentals such as cradling w/ both hand and recognizing the defense.

[atacklax]

Get good lefty. If you end up behind (which you should), it helps to be able to pass/feed/drive with both hands. And get a good face dodge and inside roll dodge.

[WickedDpole21]

quick hands
able to use both hands
good cuts
guts

[BTlaxripper]

Quick stick.
And take hits.

You will probably score alot, but you'll get tired because you can't just stand on the crease, you have to fight to get open -- you'll get alot of quick passes to you and if you don't quickstick, you'll get knocked on your butt without scoring, and it will hurt. If you do quickstick, you'll still get knocked on your butt, but it won't hurt as bad because you scored.

I love quicksticking, and following the ball into the net makes it alot easier to stand up after getting hit knowing you scored.

You really have to focus too, because you can't focus on the checks or hits coming your way (you're on the crease so they aren't far away) -- you have to train your self mentally to just focus on the catch, and then the shot (preferably just the quick stick) and not get scared.

Have fun playing for the best position in lacrosse (hee hee).

[laxattack1616]

I almost got a goal today, but i shot high and got knocked on my ***. almost got another shot off, but the feed was high and I missed. All in all, i like the position so far.

I think I would score alot if I got open more. Any advice on cutting and getting open/ when to cut?

[njlaxpunk10]

I almost got a goal today, but i shot high and got knocked on my ***. almost got another shot off, but the feed was high and I missed. All in all, i like the position so far.

I think I would score alot if I got open more. Any advice on cutting and getting open/ when to cut?

Our crease guy gets lost in the crease, and when we run a carry iso and the crease guys draws, he cuts behind him and has an EZ goal. That is a good way.

[vikinglax3522]

im an X man so i play the crease and use it to my advantage, i either pinch it or cut to and fro and try and finalize oponents. the crease also works as a deception tool, like say you get a couple passes down low the D dosnt think you have an outside shot so you go and cut to the crease and then pop up top for a range shot.

[jimd619]

My advice on crease play differs if you have a partner or not. If there are two on the crease I like constant motion. That forces attention from defenders down low so they cannot be as quick on the slide. But a single creaseman needs to time his motion. Use slow movement so you get lost, get taken for granted, then take the quick couple steps to the open area to get the feed. Don't forget picking up to the middie is very effective, can create a backside opening for a feed. Remember to play about 3 yards from the crease when ball is at midfield to give them dodging room, and about 7-8 yds when ball is at X so they can drive. But as someone drives you have two options, screen the goalie, or pop out as an option if the slide doubleteams the driver. I particularly like one on the crease with man up. As ball swings around the outside, float towards the ball. Sooner or later you will be open. Remember though, the feed to you should not come from the center middie area unless you are wide open. Optimal feeds are if the middie drives to the side, or from X. You do not to receive the feed with your back to the goal. Good luck, crease is fun.

[katolax20]

I play crease/X and I would say that a few of the most important things are feeding cutting players when you are at X, being able to quickstick fast and on the run (when you make cuts), and getting open for a pass when you play crease otherwise you are less usefull.

[PBlax]

my coach puts me on the crease but thats just because i can put a nasty hit on the goalie if he makes a save and steps outa the crease on clears ;)


id rather be playing on the wing though cuz ive got a buck nasty shot

[Jaegerlaxer]

Learn how to play offball with your team

[bigfootprep53]

i played crease attack so i would know pretty good what is need.u need good hands, be able to get catch almost all the passes no matter how bad, quick stick very good, dont wind up on the crease, know where the ball is at all times, be able to cut, be able to pick up groundballs in a pile, be able to get rebounds, get the garbage goals, and pull the trigger quickly.

[roycegracie47]

There's a lot of good advice here but as another crease attack I'll add to what's been said:

- apart from the aforementioned quick hands, ALWAYS keep your stick up, even when your covered if the stick is up it reminds your D that you are a target if he leaves to slide.

- Be prepared to have to quick stick under pressure on most opportunities, the ball may move faster than most guys can run but that second slide may not always be late (especially against some of the more elite teams I've played).

- Stay opposite the ball, and this doesn't always mean cut; if a lane isn;t open don't clog it further but instead look to set up and off-ball pick (and that reminds me...never set a pick on the ball...duh) to try and create seperation for someone else.

-Constant movement is key but this doesn't always mean sprints and cuts. If you're gassed (or like me, slower than most other guys and asthmatic) just walking/jogging around inside to keep your man occupied keeps him on you to delay his slide. If for some reason he thinks you won't be cutting hard go back to my first point, STICK UP! He'll think twice before leaving instead of passing you off as a non threat.

- If X has the ball and is driving to GLE for the ISO, if your mad isn;t sliding, start working towards X as the back-up. On ISOs when guys clear out they tend to stop off ball movement and someone has to be back their to back up the shot.

- Be loud. Crease D is usually the first slide so CALL THE DOUBLE and yell for HELP constantly. Some guys may need hearing aids to give the feed, but most Offensive guys don't talk and some one has to keep their vision on the field so they don;t get blinders everytime they touch the ball.

[WHEELAX2]

The most important thing to know about playing crease attack is to always occupy the longpole on the crease.. 9 times out of 10 the crease long pole is going to be the slide guy.. if you can keep his attention, chances are that he will be late to slide, and the dodging mids/attackmen will get a ton of easy shots, or he'll slide late, and leave you wide open (considering that the secondary slide won't be able to get to you in time..)

another thing to understand is that you need to fill in the space the defenders leave open when they slide.. that being said, if your man slides, get to the open space and look for a pass, this will also make the secondary slide have to slide that much further to get to you, giving yourself more time to catch and shoot..


other tidbits: if you catch high, shoot low(no bounce shots on crease).. shoot about knee high on the goalie.. if you catch low, shoot high off stick side...

never shoot sidearm while in close

keep your stick right by your ear (there's a lot of traffic in there)


always stay opposite the ball.. if the ball is behind to the left, you want to be high on the crease and top right.. if the ball is top right, you want to be low left on the crease.. etc..

[jhopkinslx4]

fast hands, quick feet, fast fakes, a small pocket for quick release.
I play crease attack and i practiced these for a whole summer just to start on varsity as a sophomore.

[middie8]

if the ball is behind, keep your eye on the attackmen and time your cut so as he is getting ready to come out of a dodge he will see you and feed.

[middie8]

always stay opposite the ball.. if the ball is behind to the left, you want to be high on the crease and top right.. if the ball is top right, you want to be low left on the crease.. etc..

this is great advice, if you watch a smart player, you will see them do this..

[meestagoaliemon]

Be aware of your surroundings. Know where the defense is. Know where the goalie is. And know how and where to shoot

[laxlover8]

I played crease for a few times but I am still puzzled with my positon
1. I knew a crease have to stay opposite to the ball, but while my 5 teamates keep rowing the ball, where shall I go? should I move quickly to different positions so that I can keep opposite from the ball constantly? It seems that I am isolated in the team offence....

2. If the ball is in the bottom left, so by theory I have to move to top right to set a pick or to keep myself open for a feed. But then there is two problems, firstly, if I set pick, the crease D always yell to his teammate so that I am hard to set a pick silently. Secondly, if I want to be open for the feed, wouldn't my pop out clog other middles' cutting?

3. If the ball is again on the bottom left, should I go to X to cover the shot or go to top right to wait for a feed?

4. And most importantly, I was always scolded by my team because my position is not helpful in screening the goalie as well as occupying the crease D, instead, me being as a creaseman, I was accused of constantly drawing a defence (that is, the crease D) in side the crease, which means that they are harder to dodge inside. Some even said I stand in front of the goalie and screen them from shooting! I was so sad that a crease man is a disaster to the offence....

All I want to know is how large the area that a creaseman should run within... I heard jimd619 said 3 yards when the ball is on the top while 7-8 yards when the ball is behind the goal, is that true? How about the others' advice? I want to score as a creaseman, but now I am afraid of destroying the offence and my team now does not play creaseman again....

5. Is the offence options become fewer if our team do not play a crease attack?

6. If there is no creaseman, so how are the three attacks arranged on the pitch? Where do they posit themselves?

[roycegracie47]

1)If the ball is being moved around, move as well. Even if you seem to only be moving in a big circle, if you are moving as the ball moves, you are giving your D someone to stick to and are making yourself into a potential target for a feed, especially since the crease D is going to try and follow your every move.

2)Set the pick. Sometimes it will get called out, sometimes it won't. Plus, it's not like your teammate has to use your pick, he may see the same thing. Part of the constant movement on the crease is to get the D off guard so that one of the times you set it, it will work. As for popping out, it depends on what your teammate does. If he's not moving, then you arent clogging anything and are at least trying to get open, otherwise, wait for him to cut, the pop out and replace or follow him for the second look.

3) Only go to X if you know the guy at X is going to try and come around in front of the goal himself. His feed probably won't go to the crease if he gives up the ball because it's too short a pass through traffic if he doesn't beat anyone, so that's when you want to sneak behind to back up the shot.

4) Yes, sometimes you will be in the way, it's tough. However despite what your teammates may harp on you about, if you remain opposite to the ball and ALWAYS call the double (because as a crease guy, I know that once a guy tries to dodge inside he gets blinders) becuase it will most likely be your guy coming anyways. If he gets doubled and gets stripped because of this, it's not always because of you (though this is the exact reason why you never set a pick on ball). Like your problem of the D calling the pick when you set it, SCREAM out the double when your guy leaves. He's the guy who will most likely be the first slide and if he isn't properly backed up AND your teammate doesn't need a hearing aid, your goal (or shot on goal) will remind both your team and theirs you are a threat inside. As for screening, you should still do it, even if it's just cutting back and forth in front of th goalie while the ball is up top (the D can't obstruct you from cutting through accross the face of the crease and eventually they'll try and hold you or push you into the crease and get warned for interference, heck you may even annoy the goalie enough to come out of the cage and hit you, and as much as I respect a goalie who polices his crease, some of them aren;t smart enough to make the legal hit and wind up taking a trip to the box). Goalies hate it when they can't see the shot because you're in their way, even moreso if you get your D in the way as well. You mates should be practicing how to sneak the ball into the goal in those situations , as you should be practicing blocking the goalies vision and moving as your man takes the shot.

For area, from the top of the crease arc to about 5 to 7 steps inside the box should be your area of movement, far out enough to try and stretch the D, and inside enough so your teammates still have room to work as well.

5) No, there are many other options to run without a man on the crease, and many can be run with a guy there. It depends on the plays called and the personnel on the field.

6)With NO crease attack, you should have 1 at X and the other 2 on the wings, unless the play you call says otherwise (i.e. an invert)

[MaddxLax]

EVERYTHING i could think of was on this thread....very good posts on here. so i am just gonna say, if your playing X, remember to get to the sideline when the ball goes out on a shot(stick up and sprint so you can get the ball back for your team)

[Adrenaline]

I play all spots on attack but when i am playing on the crease the one thing that u have to do is piss the D off, run around, block the goalies vision, and just make X a hectic spot where everyones trying to find u and cover their own man, by the time they get wats going on someones probably gonna score.