Box Face Off's Part 1.

[slinkyspine]

Alright, after many years of practice and perfecting technique. Here is Slinky's guide to box draws.


Unlike field all you can reall do is pull back, no plungers or fancy crap. Which means head plays a lesser part and you have to rely on your skill and strategies .

Tips:
First thing to check is what hand your opponent shoots. Fingers in or out. That will tell you wether or no to push inward when you pull back or to let loose. Normally you won't have time to check, if you can however, its an advantage. Say he shoots left, then his palm is outward. If he shoots left and his palm is inward, it means he can't scoop and cradle with out a twirl. So he most likely wants to push the ball to a team mate. Force him not to.

Another key, never step inward or outward. Rather stand up and push the opponents stick, 9 out of 10 times he steps in the circle. Your ball.

Tell your teammates you are doing that though, or they might jump the gun and step in the white lines and then its all for not. Make sure that your linemates know how your going to win it.


The Push Method:

This rather than having you get the ball, gets the ball to your team mates. This requires a big risk. If the opponent sees how you hold your stick with both palms inward. He can force you to pcik it up and lay you out. So be careful. Alright what your gonna do here is when pulling back flick your stick so the ball flies to the side and into a teammates stick. Another risk is the interception. If your team mate is covered. Eat the ball try to get a line foul on the opponent.


Jump turn Method:

Slightly Illegal procedure. So ask the ref at the beggining if he is anal and will call it. Most won't. All you do is jump the side of the circle and Backburner pick up the ball. 99% effective if you master the backburner. (indian pickup on back side of head flipping it into front

Straight Draw: 50% effective this is a coin toss and waht a begginer does. Pull straight back. Not reccomended unless ref is a jerk who calls anything but this on a FO


The Standing draw:

A variant of the Straight Draw. Pull back slighty but stand up and push into oppenents stick. Most likely causing line foul. And a possesion change in your favor. Unless a team mate is retarded and steps in.
COMMUNICATE!

Very effective if opponent is going to push to a buddy. Since he would have to step in to do that.

The Hockey Method:

This is called the hockey method because it is very simlilar to what is attempted on a hockey faceoff. Line up with both plams inward or ouut ward, what ever is your favorite pull back configuration. Then pulling back and pushing your hands into a crosscheck type of postion and up. its basically a 90 degree turn with your hands as you stand and pull back. objective is to fling the ball through your legs into teamates stick. Unlike the pullback, you want this to be in the air so a catch not a GB is made. Much harder to intercept since d won't have the headstart your man has.



Revenge Method:

This should only be attemped at coaches permission and if you feel liek sitting for two or getting a bench brawl goin.

ref blows whistle charge opponent and beat the hell out of him.
Goon Squad style.





More to come as I figure out how to describe them


Comments? Techniques you've used successfully shoot! Share the face off love!

[cbhslacrossemid]

Wow, as a face-off guy for field this makes absolutly no sense at all. Like really I cant understand one bit of it. This thread has made me never want to play box.

[slinkyspine]

Umm thanks I guess.

[RockStar]

Keep 'em coming, Slink, I'm always eager to learn new tricks.

I only started doing draws a few years ago. My best "trick" so far has been to watch what other refs do......some (like me) let a fair bit go because faceoffs are boring and we just want to get the play started again. If you have these guys, do whatever's needed to win!

Some refs use exactly the same rhythm every time........Learn to count it off, and you can go a split second early on every draw without being caught.

Wow, as a face-off guy for field this makes absolutly no sense at all. Like really I cant understand one bit of it. This thread has made me never want to play box.
What's wrong with this thread? Too much for your little brain? :thinking: :monkey:

Just a thought - if you're never going to play, you probably don't need to read this forum or respond to it's threads.

Seriously, lines are different, rules are different. If you know your arse from your elbow with field faceoffs, you'd figure it out pretty quick. Biggest difference is that your first motion is supposed to be a straight pullback, so you can't really do jumps, plungers, etc.

[slinkyspine]

Added Hockey Method

[Storm21]

One thing i do is take your time getting set up. let the other guy get down there and all ready sometimes i wait till the ref crouches down and tells me to come. The advantage to this is you want to be a quick as you can on the draw, so the other guy is down there waiting for you to get ready and thats what gets him. he has been waiting for you and has become less ready. So now you can come in there and by the time you get in the ref will want to blow it right away and get play started. So you have the advantage

[nemesislax]

i play jr b and win 85-90% of my draws..no lie
I have the same move everytime...
If the ref lets me, i slowly put my stick over the ball as he walks away, then its an easy win backwards.
Or, I just win with pure speed. A VERY quick clamp and pull in one motion so that the ref doesnt call it. I have a pretty pinched torque so I tend to have the stick advantage but really its all speed and quickness.
I always win it to a teammate. My team has a "draw-line" because I always win the ball backwards so we put 4 big, strong guys on the line who can pick the ball up and hold it while we change the line.

P.S. If anyone here plays jr b lacrosse in ontario and takes draws....tell me when you play Nepean...I dare you to try and beat me lol

[coqlax]

Wow, as a face-off guy for field this makes absolutly no sense at all. Like really I cant understand one bit of it. This thread has made me never want to play box.
its ok your prolly not man enought to play box anyway

[Canadian Lax]

Slkinyspine thanks so much for all of the tips....they really help alot. They make alot of sense. :D

[coqlax]

pictures or videos would prolly help

i kinda get the jist of it.

[slinkyspine]

Yeah, if your a regular at the F/O you should be able to intererpt. It's ahrder than expected to describe. And I will try to get a picture or video but doubtful

[FeauxGeaux]

I am very interested in learning more about box draws as I am an NCAA All-American in field as a faceoff middie who has never played box but has aspirations of being an NLL transition player. I have several canadian friends who have played OLA and NLL and some have explained the box draw very similar as you have. I understand most of what you are saying and based on that, it seems my primary field draw move is perfect for box. What I do is pretty much a reverse plunge. Consider how the back of the stick is lined up facing the ball prior to a draw, then flip it over almost 180 degrees over the ball as you clamp, now putting weight on the sidewall which pinches the ball and you just pull upward as you step back and catch the ball in the air at about shoulder height. It still isnt clear to me if a clamp is completely legal, but my move is done so damn fast and all at once that a split second after the whistle the ball is in the air behind me and I am catching it. I can also just throw it off the back of the stick on the reverse plunge in the air to a wing who is behind me, and when I do that it looks very similar to the NLL games when the ball is shot in the air to a wing behind, but I am not sure exactly how the NLL players are doing it then. At any rate, whatever changes and differences need to be made I am very confident I could do it like they need to be done and with much success.

So...

1) I need to learn specifics about the box draw and get a full understanding of what it should and shouldnt be and then I am sure I can succeed at it. Based on the discussion in the thread it seems draws in box are scrutinized much less by refs than in field, and for those reasons I think I could do fine exploiting it.

2) In your opinion, how much box would I need to play and at what level to prepare me for an NLL tryout? Keep in mind I would be going for a spot as just a transition player and primarily as a draw man. How would I go about getting on a Major A team or Senior B team? My field resume is very good, but how much street credit can that buy me in box right off the bat? It's not like I'm expecting to just walk in there and be proficient in box, but I think I can adapt well with practice and opportunity so I'm wondering the progression needed for a very good field FO man in my case to go from no box experience to being good enough to be a high level box FO man.

Thanks for any help you can give me. I appreciate the time.

[nemesislax]

I am very interested in learning more about box draws as I am an NCAA All-American in field as a faceoff middie who has never played box but has aspirations of being an NLL transition player. I have several canadian friends who have played OLA and NLL and some have explained the box draw very similar as you have. I understand most of what you are saying and based on that, it seems my primary field draw move is perfect for box. What I do is pretty much a reverse plunge. Consider how the back of the stick is lined up facing the ball prior to a draw, then flip it over almost 180 degrees over the ball as you clamp, now putting weight on the sidewall which pinches the ball and you just pull upward as you step back and catch the ball in the air at about shoulder height. It still isnt clear to me if a clamp is completely legal, but my move is done so damn fast and all at once that a split second after the whistle the ball is in the air behind me and I am catching it. I can also just throw it off the back of the stick on the reverse plunge in the air to a wing who is behind me, and when I do that it looks very similar to the NLL games when the ball is shot in the air to a wing behind, but I am not sure exactly how the NLL players are doing it then. At any rate, whatever changes and differences need to be made I am very confident I could do it like they need to be done and with much success.

So...

1) I need to learn specifics about the box draw and get a full understanding of what it should and shouldnt be and then I am sure I can succeed at it. Based on the discussion in the thread it seems draws in box are scrutinized much less by refs than in field, and for those reasons I think I could do fine exploiting it.

2) In your opinion, how much box would I need to play and at what level to prepare me for an NLL tryout? Keep in mind I would be going for a spot as just a transition player and primarily as a draw man. How would I go about getting on a Major A team or Senior B team? My field resume is very good, but how much street credit can that buy me in box right off the bat? It's not like I'm expecting to just walk in there and be proficient in box, but I think I can adapt well with practice and opportunity so I'm wondering the progression needed for a very good field FO man in my case to go from no box experience to being good enough to be a high level box FO man.

Thanks for any help you can give me. I appreciate the time.

who are you?

[laxpimp]

Hmm, how about clarification on this for me:

When I take draws, I push my stick towards the opposite drawman so our sticks are clamped l.

But then I push my stick outward toward their goal, and pushing his stick out of the way. I always get called for illegal procedure because I'm not drawing the ball I'm knocking it away.

Should I be called?

[slinkyspine]

Laxpimp. Thats a trap. You have to start with a pullback motion

[RockStar]

..........

I think NLL faceoff rules are actually similar to field laX rules. Check the game tape - they clamp, plunge, shove, etc. Only illegal procedure I ever see is for jumping early, or having a teammate leave the line early.

CLA faceoffs are different. First move has to be a draw back. Restraining Lines are closer, teammates can't cross lines until the ball is pulled out of a 2' circle at centre.

As far as box experience for NLL - how old are you and where are you?

If you're still under 21, you should contact Junior A or Junior B teams in Ontario or BC to try to arrange for tryout. If you make a good team, you've a fair shot at getting noticed by NLL scouts. Even if you're not drafted, you'll sure be better prepared for a walk-on tryout.

There's a few people who read this board who are connected to junior teams, they can probably help more than I can.

Good luck to you,

[FeauxGeaux]

Took my first box faceoffs tonight in ON. Very different in some ways but not so much in others. The footwork is really the main limiting difference in my opinion. Trying to figure out how to preserve my right foot stance with that line that you can't cross. So you cant step over the line until the ball is out of the circle? In the NLL there is no line and they step around the circle and its pretty much a field faceoff. I felt that I could use my normal stance and technique, just that my hands were way out off my body with having to stand on the line and not in front of it. Can you just line both feet up to the line and straddle the stick with the butt end in between your legs? Not that I want to use that stance but I am curious if its legal. The other main limiting factor I found was difficulty in not stepping over the line when the two sticks got tied up. Very hard to maintain footing while finding leverage ona tie up. Hell I can figure out how to do anything on draws I will be fine.

[#15Roadies]

Congrats F-G! Who did you play for and where? Details!

"Can you just line both feet up to the line and straddle the stick with the butt end in between your legs?"

I believe I have seen this stance for guys that are very quick off the whistle.

[RockStar]

.......
"Can you just line both feet up to the line and straddle the stick with the butt end in between your legs?"

I believe I have seen this stance for guys that are very quick off the whistle.

I've seen this as well, and don't believe there's any rule that says you can't.

[titans 43]

Congrats F-G! Who did you play for and where? Details!

"Can you just line both feet up to the line and straddle the stick with the butt end in between your legs?"

I believe I have seen this stance for guys that are very quick off the whistle.

Tha'ts how I line up, and I push the ball between my legs as I use my body to shield the ball from the other face off guy. if the other guy is quicker I will just lock up his hands and hopefully somone drill him to teach hoim a lesson but ya. hte other way is I use is I will pull back and then push forward, it's hard to explain in wordsbut the ball should end up on the backside of your stick and then you can pass to one of your teammates from there.

[sidewinder19]

I am a box face off guy and I use the good old backburner and fling it to one of my guys waiting for it on the attack line. Other thing is if My oppponent is really weak and smaller than me I push his stick out of the way (illegal but nobody calls it). I just jump in there and crouch really low and I knee the middle of his shaft out. I do this and all the while the ball is jammed in the top lip of my stick. I have a pinched brine answer. Oh,yes one more thing. String your top string on your stick( the one holding the mesh on)to the outside over the top of the stick. It really lets the ball sit on the back of the stick.

[Lax_Luver]

Thanx

Even though I play crease, I luved this thread :worship: . ? I play center midi in field and was wondering how many of these could possibly work for field

Thanx

:chair:PS. Luved the goon style, got to try it soon :devil:

[slinkyspine]

yada yada I was young

[thebrettness]

I take alot of face-offs for my box team, and what I did I have a pretty poorly strung P2, and I just push forward then pull back, so the ball get's caught on the reverse lip. But unfortunately this stopped working with one ref, who made sure I did the straight pull back. He is a F/O guy in field and I beat him 3 times in a row in field so he took it out on me I guess when he was reffing me I guess.

[newbielaxer]

Slinky you goon!!!!!!! lol

[stinisonfire]

By push forward and then pull back, are you clamping/jamming? I'd love to try and bring some of these into field once I figure out exactly what you box'rs are talking about. :runaway:

[BlueDevils16]

Another method, also slightly (very) illegal, but most refs don't even know it's happening, let alone call it, you cover as much of the area of the ball as possible, so that the ball and the heads of your sticks are out of his feild of vision. Then you attempt to get as much movement of your opponents stick as possible, (chirp him, and push his stick around) and then use the thumb on the hand closest to the head of your stick and attempt to get a good grip on his scoop. If he doesn't figure out your doing it, you can pull and he will line foul practically every time, and if he sees you take a garb, clutch it tight and wait for him to try to pry it loose, and I can guarantee almost everytime the refs will get him for moving before the whistle and you get the ball. Talk to a guy on your team and work on it before and afetr practises and I guarantee if you keep working on it, you will win 75% of the draws you take. I've been working on this since PeeWee, im now a 2nd year midget and I've had guys jump me because it so irratating...good wa to win draws and draw stupid penatlies from the cement heads,

[ND14]

For lefties only: I've only tried this a couple times, cause I rarely take faceoffs, but it seems like it could work ok. Somebody told me Wayne Goss used to do this. Basically, get your top hand as high on the shaft as possible without being called for it. On the whistle, clamp down quickly with the back of your hand on the top of your opponents stick, preventing him from clamping enough to draw the ball. Then get your stick on the ball ASAP before he recovers and gets there first. Obviously, this probably isn't legal because you're not drawing back right away, but if you did it quickly and subtly enough, you'd probably get away with it pretty easily.

[slinkyspine]

***NEW METHOD***


stand completely sideways to your opponent.


When the ref blows the whistle pull hard back(which is actually sideways in this case) and run forward... easy pick up at speed for you.

[boxpimp66]

i've been playing box for 2 years now and faceoffs are the only thing i still don't understand, i used to be sick at face offs when i played field in high school, like in the 90+% range mostly due to my rock technique that i learned from the D1 princton faceoff guy about 4 or 5 years ago, no one could stop it, but i have no idea whats going on when it comes to box rules no one ever really explaind them to me. does anyone know where i can find the face off rules for the ola? if your a field player and wana learn about the rock technique pm me ill let a few people know and see how it works for them if it consistantly works ill put a small tut like this one in the field forums.

[Laxking31]

Wow, as a face-off guy for field this makes absolutly no sense at all. Like really I cant understand one bit of it. This thread has made me never want to play box.

Same here. :banghead:

[slinkyspine]

Same here. :banghead:
So dont post here.

[LaxNut5]

Another method, also slightly (very) illegal, but most refs don't even know it's happening, let alone call it, you cover as much of the area of the ball as possible, so that the ball and the heads of your sticks are out of his feild of vision. Then you attempt to get as much movement of your opponents stick as possible, (chirp him, and push his stick around) and then use the thumb on the hand closest to the head of your stick and attempt to get a good grip on his scoop. If he doesn't figure out your doing it, you can pull and he will line foul practically every time, and if he sees you take a garb, clutch it tight and wait for him to try to pry it loose, and I can guarantee almost everytime the refs will get him for moving before the whistle and you get the ball. Talk to a guy on your team and work on it before and afetr practises and I guarantee if you keep working on it, you will win 75% of the draws you take. I've been working on this since PeeWee, im now a 2nd year midget and I've had guys jump me because it so irratating...good wa to win draws and draw stupid penatlies from the cement heads,
got a game tomorrow. we're playin a rival so ima try to piss the F/O guy off withs this one