Select Team Offense: Special Plays (Apple, Mango and Obi-Wan)

Special Plays: Apple, Mango and Obi-Wan

The following three plays, Apple, Mango and

Obi-Wan, vary in degree of difficulty, but can

still be used with in our base “13” set to trick

the defense. They are not meant to be used

all the time, and will be most successful when

used to catch the defense off-guard. All three

initiate from behind the goal and can

therefore be used as out of bounds plays as

well.

•Special Plays

Apple

Apple: Level of Play

Apple is an extremely simple attack pick play

that can be used by players of all age and skill

levels.

•Level of Play (Apple)

Set-up: Apple

This play uses the same starting positions as

“13” with the ball behind the goal at X with

A2. Ideally, A3 is a left-handed and A2 is a

right handed feeder. Or the play can be run to

the other side of the cage and A2 is a left

handed feeder and A1 is a right handed

finisher. Apple stands for Attack pick.

•Set-up (Apple)

Apple: Set Up

A1

A2

A3

M3

M2M1

On this version of our play, A2

is a right handed feeder.

A3 is ideally a left handed

finisher.

Apple: Execution

A2 dodges to his right and prepares to feed

the ball to A3. The adjacent, ball-side

attackmen (A1) cuts through like he normally

would in “13”, but then sets a pick for A3

coming around him. Instead of drifting behind

the goal as he normally would in “13”, A3 cuts

to the crease and comes over the top of A1’s

pick looking to receive A2’s feed…

•Execution (Apple)

Special Plays: Apple Execution

While the attack is performing its pick/cut

movements, the midfielders want to open the

field to create space. M1 will step down

toward the ball, M2 will slide to the middle of

the field, and M3 will pop off the crease to

the high away from ball side. Hopefully A3

will be open on the pick, but if he’s not, A2

should pull the ball back out and set up the

regular “13” offense.

•Execution (Apple Continued)

Apple: Execution

A1

A2

A3

M3

M2M1

Apple: Execution

Mango

Mango: Level of Play

Mango is an extremely simple midfield pick

play that can be used by players of all age and

skill levels.

•Level of Play (Mango)

Mango: Set Up

The offense should be in the starting positions

for “13” (and Apple) with the ball at X with

A2. Ideally, M3 is a left handed finisher and

A2 is a right handed feeder. Or the play can be

run to the other side of the cage and M3 is a

right handed finisher and A2 is a right handed

feeder. Mango stands for Midfield pick.

•Set Up (Mango)

Mango: Set Up

A1

A2

A3

M3

M2M1

On this version of our play, A2

is a right handed feeder.

M3 is ideally a left handed

finisher.

Mango: Execution

A2 dodges to his right and prepares to feed

the ball to M3. Adjacent attackman (A1) cuts

through like would in a normal “13”, but then

he sets a pick for M3 coming around him.

Instead of popping off the crease as he did in

“Apple” M3 comes over the top of the pick set

by A1 looking for the feed from A2. A3 drifts

behind the goal to provide back up and to act

as an outlet for A2 if he is forced to roll back

and away from pressure.

•Execution (Mango)

Mango: Execution Continued

While the A1 and M3 are performing their

pick/cut combination, M1 and m2 replace

exchange spots, hoping to occupy their men

so they can’t help out on the crease.

Hopefully M3 will be open on the pick, but if

he’s not, A2 should pull the ball back out and

set up the regular “13” offense.

•Execution (Mango Continued)

Mango: Execution

A1

A2

A3

M3

M2M1

Mango: Execution

Obi-Wan

Special Plays: Obi-Wan

Obi-Wan is best suited for teams with more

advanced stickwork but can be effective at all

skill levels. You may have to set up certain

players in specific positions in order for this

play to work, so it is often used as an out of

bounds play similar to Apple and Mango.

•Level of Play (Obi-Wan)

Set Up: Obi-Wan

Obi-Wan starts in a 1-3-2 formation. It utilizes

the “pick-the-picker” technique to create an

open shot. X1 picks up the ball to the left or

right of the goal. In this description he starts

to the left of the goal and carries to the right.

X3 lines up on the crease, about 3-5 yards

directly in front of the goal. X2 and X4 start

out right on the left and right wings about 3-5

yards above GLE and 4 yards outside of the

right and left pipes.

•Set-up (Obi-Wan)

Set Up: Obi-Wan

X5 and X6 wants to be high within the

restraining box around 12-15 yards above GLE

and 5-7 yards to the left and right. Ideally, X1

can carry the ball with his right and left hand,

is a good decision-maker, and can feed with

both hands. X2 should be left-handed and X4

should be right-handed so they are shooting

with their strong hands at the end of the play.

•Set-up (Obi-Wan Continued)

Obi-Wan: Set Up

X4

X1

X2

X3

X5X6

On this version of our play, X1 is a capable feeder with both hands.

X2 is ideally a left handed

finisher.

X4 is ideally a right-handed

finisher.

Obi-Wan: Execution

X1 carries to his right. X2 sets a pick for X3

who comes over the top looking for the ball. If

X3 is open, then X1 should throw him the ball.

Against a capable defense this will not be

open. X1 then continues to carry the ball

across X towards the right side of the goal.

After X2 sets the pick for X3, he wants to

pause and let the defense think this play is

finished. It is important that X2 “sell” this

portion of the play.

•Execution (Obi-Wan)

Obi-Wan: Execution

As soon as this occurs, X4 sets a pick on X2’s

man so that X2 comes over the top of the

screen looking for a feed form X1. While all of

the this action occurs, X5 and X6 want to

replace each other just trying to occupy their

men so they are not in a position to help on

the crease picks. Again, this play is most

effective out of dead-ball situations, and

should not be run sparingly. It can, however,

be used as a special play out of the base “13”

set.

•Execution (Obi-Wan Continued)

Obi-Wan: Execution

X4

X1

X2

X3

X5X6

Obi-Wan: Execution

It’s imperative that X2 “sell” the initial pick, as

the total play. He wants to hesitate before coming off the second pick. At which point he will be

looking to shoot.

Curveballs: Mango Set Up

The offense should be in the starting positions

for “13” (and Apple) with the ball at X with

A2. Ideally, M3 is a left handed finisher and

A2 is a right handed feeder. Or the play can be

run to the other side of the cage and M3 is a

right handed finisher and A2 is a right handed

feeder. Mango stands for Midfield pick.

•Set Up (Mango)

Mango: Set Up

A1

A2

A3

M3

M2M1

On this version of our play, A2

is a right handed feeder.

M3 is ideally a left handed

finisher.

Special Plays: Apple, Mango and Obi-Wan Final Notes

Spacing on all three of these plays is

important. It’s important that the pick be set

so that the players coming over the screens

have sufficient shooting angle. Similarly,

timing is very important as well. The feed and

the cut must be coordinated to arrive at the

appropriate times…

•Execution (Final Notes)

Special Plays: Apple, Mango and Obi-Wan Final Notes Continued

Also, remember that all of these plays (Apple,

Mango and Obi-Wan) can be run with A2

dodging to his left. In these scenarios the

actions will mirror that of the original plays,

and the dominant hands of the players

involved will be flipped to maximize

opportunities for success.

•Execution (Final Notes Cont.)