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Tips for Face-Offs Tips compiled by Will Fields (U.S. Naval Academy- Class of 2012, Under Armor All-American, Inside Lacrosse Top 50 Recruit) Blackwolf Lacrosse- Assistant Coach Up Stance Feet shoulders width apart, right foot facing 45 degree angle about 6 inches from the ball to the left of the head of the stick with your left foot as close to the shaft of your stick as possible facing straight down the field. Down Stance Have a balanced amount of weight between your legs and hands, be careful not to have too much weight on your hands as this will lessen your reaction time. Also be sure that you can lift the stick off the ground without shifting your weight and becoming off balance. Elbows should be in between both knees and your butt should lift up enough to make your back flat and parallel with the ground. Grip Have your right hand as close to the throat as possible with your hands approximately shoulders width apart. Have a loose grip, keep the stick off your palm by gripping the stick with your fingers. This allows you to have a wider range of motion and as well as a quicker clamping action. This grip is for the most common move which is the "Clamp" as well as the "Laser"(described below). Various moves will have differing grips that are described below. The "Clamp" This is the most utilized move and should be your primary move. Light grip in fingers not palms with wrists curled inward toward the forearms ready to produce a wider range of motion. When the whistle blows punch your left arm forward for better leverage and a stronger clamp. At the same time be stepping with your right foot on the line to the right of the stick head to prevent the opponent from winning the clamp and getting an easy fast break. This will also help to gain a better position over the ball. Your belly button should be over the ball after you step. Once you clamp on the ball you can either rake the ball out to the front left, back left but always put the ball into open space where you can get the ground ball. The "Jam" This is a counter move used to defend against a effective clamper. To jam, you can line up in the same way as you would using a clamp move; however, you can use a firm grip. When the whistle blows, you should punch (actually lift) your stick over the ball, while moving your hands down the line at a 45 degree angle and punch your left hand (still attached to the shaft) into the opponents stick head. This move prevents your opponent from fully clamping on the ball. Once you have successfully completed the move, you should have the ball laying behind your left hand and shaft. You should now bump the ball through your legs behind you to box your opponent and scoop the ground ball. The "Laser" The laser is a move that is used when your opponent is shutting you down with a jam. To laser, you should line up the same way as the previous two moves, and you need to have a very light grip. The reason for this is that this move is mostly a flick of your wrists and hands; therefore, a light grip will allow very quick movement. When the whistle blows, you should push the ball out to your left with the bottom sidewall of your stick head. This is kind of a scraping motion that should put the ball underneath the opponents stick when he uses the "jam". Communicate with the wings Make sure you are communicating with your wings so they are aware of where the ball will be put into play and so that they can properly play the man-ball situation.
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