RIDING

Riding: General Thoughts

More than X’s and O’s, riding is all about hustle and effort. Attackmen

should be encouraged to take chances because they are out numbered

and defensemen generally have lesser stick skills. Midfielders want to

make sure that no one “Gets Behind Them” so they do not give up a “Fast

Break” or any transition. The clearing team has the advantage, but

generally speaking a clear breaks down into a 4v3 between the 3

attackmen and the 4 clearing players (Goalie, 2 defensemen and either

another defensemen or midfielder depending on their clear.

**For the sake a simplicity, we will be using a 1-2-3 ride on a shot/save

and deep 3-3 ride for all other clears.

A

A

A

G

M

LSM/M

M

1-2-3 Ride: Set Up

1-2-3 Ride: Execution

• Midfielders will get to the midfield line and cover the midfielders from

the opposing team to make sure that no one “Gets Behind Them” so they

do not give up any transition.

• The Crease Attackmen will get to the goalie and harass him to stop a

quick pass up field to a midfielder. He must make sure he does not touch

his stick on any pass while the goalie is still in the crease. If this occurs,

“Goalie Interference” will be called and the opposing team will get a free

clear at the midfield line. The remaining attackmen will set up on the

restraining line.

• On the pass to either defensiveman, the nearst attackman will cover

him and the crease attackman will recover to the restraining line on the

same side of the pass.

•Execution (1-2-3 Ride)

A

A

A

G

M

LSM/M

M

1-2-3 Ride: Execution

D

D

A

A

A

G

M

LSM/M

M

Deep 3-3 Ride: Set Up

Deep Ride: Execution

• Midfielders start at the midfield line and look to cover the midfielders

from the opposing team. The long pole, if used, should set up in the

middle of the field.

• Attackmen line up across the restraining line and assess how many

players the clear team has in front of them.

If the Midfielder starts with the ball:

• Two attackmen will go play him to force him to pass the ball. Once

this occurs, one of the attackmen will lock on the midfielder. The other will

slide to the pass and will cover three players (two defensemen and the

goalie) with the remaining attackmen.

•Execution (Deep Ride)

A

A

A

G

M

LSM/M

M

Deep 3-3 Ride: Midfielder Down

M

Deep Ride: Execution

If 2 Defensemen Start Down

• If clear is set up with 2 defensemen down in the alleys with one with the ball, we will

counter with one attackmen on the ball second on the goalie and third in the middle of the

field at the restraining line.

• When the attack rides 2v3 they want to force as many cross field passes as possible by

shutting off any pass to the goalie and near defensemen and encouraging a long pass to the

far defensemen.

• Once that cross field pass is made, then the midfielders and third attackman must

“bump” across the field.

• Midfielders must “bump” across the field to the ball-side player leaving the man farthest

away from the ball open. If the defense can make this “homerun” pass then the riding team

will have plenty of time to retreat back into the box to play 6v6.

• Attackmen what to “bump” from the goalie to the defensiveman or from defenseman to

restraining line looking to shut off pass to goalie or pass to far side midfielder.

•Execution (Deep Ride)

A

A

A

G

M

LSM/M

M

Deep 3-3 Ride: 2 Defensemen Down

D

D