Riding in lacrosse is the defensive strategy employed by the attacking team when they lose possession of the ball.
In this situation, the opposing team attempts to clear it from their defensive end to their offensive end.
Riding means applying pressure on the opposing team and disrupting their clearing attempts. The best outcome for the riding team is to force a turnover and regain possession of the ball.
Riding strategies will vary based on a team’s tactics and the skill level of the players.
The most common techniques are:
- Man-to-man ride
- Zone ride (several types)
- 10-man ride
Let’s look at each in turn.
Man-To-Man Ride
In a man-to-man ride, each attacking player is assigned a specific defender to mark closely and pressure as the clearing team tries to move the ball upfield.
The goal is to limit the passing options of the opposition and to force them to make risky or challenging passes.
By applying pressure on their assigned opponent, the riding players aim to cause turnovers.
They can achieve this by forcing the clearing team to step out of bounds. Another way is to make them violate the time restrictions for advancing the ball across the midfield line.
Man-to-man riding requires good communication, speed, endurance, and agility from the attacking players.
They need to maintain tight coverage on their assigned opponents. Meanwhile, they must also be aware of the overall field situation to react to any loose balls or potential double-teaming opportunities.
If the riding team successfully regains possession during a man-to-man ride, they can immediately transition back to offense and attempt to score.
Zone Ride
A zone ride differs from ta man-to-man ride through each player focusing on occupying and defending specific areas of the field.
The attacking team sets up in a predetermined formation, such as a 2-2-2, 3-3 or 1-3-2. Players position themselves to cover specific zones.
Zone riding requires excellent field awareness and teamwork from the attacking players.
They need to maintain their assigned zones while being prepared to react to any loose balls or intercept passes. They must always be ready to apply pressure to the ball carrier.
However, the zone ride can also help conserve energy. Players do not need to chase their assigned opponents all over the field as they would in a man-to-man ride.
While zone riding can be effective in disrupting the clearing team’s progress, it may be less successful against highly skilled teams with excellent ball movement and field vision.
3-3 Zone Ride
In a 3-3 zone ride, the riding team sets up in a formation with three players near the midfield line and three players closer to the opposing team’s goal.
The numbers represent the formation. They indicate three players in the front row (closer to the midfield line) and three players in the back row (closer to the opposing team’s goal).
As a form of a zone ride, players are responsible for covering specific areas instead of marking an opponent.
2-1 Zone Ride
In a 2-1 ride, the riding team sets up in a formation with two players near the midfield line and one player closer to the opposing team’s goal.
The numbers “2-1” represent the formation. Two players are in the front row (closer to the midfield line) and one player is in the back row (closer to the opposing team’s goal).
This riding strategy is often used in conjunction with a 2-1-2 formation, where the midfielders and attackmen are responsible for applying pressure on the clearing team.
The two front-row players typically pressure the opposing defenders and goalie.
The back-row player (usually an attackman) is responsible for covering the middle of the field and any potential long passes.
The midfielders play a crucial role in this ride, providing support and covering any open opponents.
10-Man Ride
A 10-man ride is the most aggressive riding strategy in lacrosse.
The name “10-man ride” comes from the fact that all ten players on the riding team participate in the riding pressure.
That includes the goalie who leaves the goal crease and actively pressures the opposing team’s players while an extra attackman or midfielder covers the open goal.
This creates a 10-man defensive pressure, with the riding team maintaining tight coverage and limiting the clearing team’s passing options.
It has to be said that the 10-man ride comes with inherent risks.
Since the goalie leaves the goal to participate in the ride, the goal remains undefended.
This makes the riding team vulnerable to quick counterattacks if the clearing team manages to break through the ride.
As a result, it is often used selectively by coaches as a high-risk, high-reward strategy to regain possession or catch the opposing team off guard.
How Do Teams Beat A 10 Man Ride?
It may seem that the strategy that involves every player must be very difficult to beat.
However, several opposing strategies can help a team successfully clear the ball against a 10-man ride.
Passing
Players should focus on making quick, sharp, and accurate passes to move the ball swiftly upfield.
This can help avoid pressure from the riding team and reduce the chances of turnovers.
Long over-the-top passes can exploit the fact that the goalie is out of the crease. This can help bypass the riding team’s pressure and create scoring opportunities with an open goal.
Entire field
Teams should use the width and length of the entire field to spread out the defense.
This can create open spaces and passing lanes.
That makes it more difficult for the riding team to apply constant pressure.
Clearing goalie
When the riding team’s goalie comes out to pressure, the clearing team’s goalie can also participate in the clearing attempt by acting as an extra passing option.
Set picks
Teams can use set picks to create separation for the ball carrier from defenders and open passing lanes.
This can help generate space and make it more difficult for the riding team to maintain tight coverage.
Communication
Teammates should communicate constantly when facing a 10-man ride.
Players should call out open teammates, potential picks or screens, and any changes in the riding team’s pressure.
