Transition play is when possession changes and the ball is moved from one half to the other. Due to the 30 second shot clock, transition play is equally as important as settled 5 v 5 play.
Almost all teams will have designated defence and offence players. In most cases, all five outfield players (“runners”) will hit the bench to allow five new runners on the floor. This creates opportunities, even only for a few seconds, where a team has a player advantage. Coaches will often describe this as having “numbers”. The majority of goals in box lacrosse are scored when a team as “numbers”, either through transition play or in man-down penalty scenarios.
Defence to Offence
When the defence wins the balls back, or the goalie makes a save, the shot clock will reset. You then have 10 seconds to transition the ball into your attacking half. That’s loads of time, so no panic.
When a defender wins the ball, the first priority is protect it, get away from any opposition players. The opposition attack players should be hitting the bench so space in your defensive half should open up. You then can jog up the floor into your attacking half and make a simple safe pass to an attack player, then hit the bench.
When your goalie makes the save and has the ball, one defender must move out to the non-bench wing, about where the half-boards start and look for the pass from the goalie. Always transition the ball down the non-bench side. This avoids getting in the way of players subbing on and off, and avoids the risk of running straight into a check from an opposition player joining the floor.
A more aggressive transition from the goalie would be to keep two defenders on the floor. The defender nearest the goalie on the non-bench side moves out to the wing as above. The defender highest up the floor sprints upfield. The three other defenders hit the bench. The goalie now has two options; a simple pass to the wing, or a longer pass down the middle that could lead to a fast break. If the defence gets set, and the player upfield is covered, he should hit the bench and get an attacker on.
For a novice team, the priority during the transition is retaining the ball and getting it safely into your attacking half.
For a more experienced team, with good stick handlers in transition, the priority is speed. Defenders must sprint off the floor. Every transition is an opportunity to get a “numbers” situation.
Offence to Defence
A slow transition from offence to defence will cost your team many goals. Attack players must sprint as fast as they can to the bench as soon as the attacking play breaks down, or looks like it will break down.
A field lacrosse attacker new to box can be easily spotted. After a shot that just misses or is saved, a field lacrosse attacker will often stand there, hands on hips rueing the missed opportunity. While this is happening, the defence have hit the bench, their attack are out and are probably about to score as your team only has 4 defenders. A box lacrosse attacker will sprint off the floor, then rue their miss while safely sitting in the bench area.
Be Aware of the Shot Clock
As an off-ball attacker (where you or the player nearest you, does not have the ball), when the shot clock is inside the last 5 seconds you need to hit the bench.
As an on-ball attacker, when the shot clock is inside the last 5 seconds you need to find a shot at goal. If you score, great. If it rebounds off the goal or goalie, the shot clock is reset, if your team retains possession you can set-up a new attack. If you can’t get off a shot then either run or roll the ball into a corner. When the shot clock expires, the opposition restart from where the ball is, so make them start from their backline.
As a defender, when the shot clock is inside the last 5 seconds, your priority is to prevent the shot. Every defender hits the gloves of his check. There is no need to strip the ball. There is no need to pick up a loose ball. Just ensure they don’t get it. When the shot clock expires, your team will restart with the ball.
Transition Goals Change Games
This video clip highlights the importance of transition play. It’s from Game 1 of the 2022 NLL Finals. The game is tied 14-14 and it is inside the last minute. Colorado shoot and the ball rebounds back to the half way line where it is caught by a Buffalo defender. There are two Buffalo defenders (one with the ball) and two Colorado attackers all on the half way line.
The two Colorado attackers turn and hit the bench to get their defence on. This gives Buffalo a free run to goal and they score, which ultimately wins the game. In this situation the Colorado attackers must stay and run back into defence. In the heat of the moment, with the game on the line, mental errors during transition change games.
Here is a very smart transition play from the same NLL Finals series, from Game 2. Buffalo are on a fast break and have “numbers”. A Buffalo defender is one-v-one with a Colorado defender but he knows his teammate is right behind him. He flicks the ball behind him and blocks/seals off the Colorado defender, leaving his teammate one-v-one against the goalie.
England Box Lacrosse 