Sixes Lacrosse: Why Another Version of Lacrosse?

When it comes to Sixes, there is too much complaining on social media about this new style and its benefits for the growth of the game.

Sixes Lacrosse: Why Another Version of Lacrosse?

Today, I'm here to talk less about the format,  the logistics, and if it is good for the sport, or it's viewers, but more about the benefits for player development.

Sixes is a great format to encourage free flowing, creative, and well rounded lacrosse players. With 5 players and a goalie, it combines field and box to produce a high tempo, up and down game.

Here are a few things I love about Sixes for development:

Shot Selection: This is something coaches often desire to improve with offenses. "Take better shots!" Well in Sixes, missed shots are a turnover when they go out of bounds. This is a fantastic "constraint" that will benefit players shot selection, without having to explicitly force it. It is similar to the constraint of smaller goals and big goalie pads in box. Both amplify the consequences of poor shot selection, something not seen much in field (run it out and get it back). 

Shorter Fields: When I coached and recruited at USC, I felt like there was a lot of wasted time during recruiting watching players clear up and down the larger fields. I wanted to see more half field action. Now imagine that with 10-12 year olds. My angle is less for recruiting, and more for touches and development. I think Sixes can be great for development to maximize time with and without the ball in scoring areas, especially for young players. I think this will benefit engagement and skills from a younger age, but also get more out of your time at older ages too.

"Be a Player": This was a phrase Coach Danowski always said to us at Duke. He wanted us to be "players." This is something he also believed, as do many, comes with being a multi sport athlete. Nowadays with sport specialization, and earlier position specialization, players can fall behind in being too narrow minded and have less experiences to draw on when solving problems on the field and making plays. Sixes forces everyone to get up and down and play 2 ways, and you can learn a lot by playing the other side of the ball. Why shouldn't defensive players learn to play the pick game on offense and get shots up? They should! But they'll never get these reps in field club practice. Sixes forces everyone to be players and learn the game. These experiences can be drawn on when you return back to your rec, club, and HS ball!

Check out my video below about Sixes that I did with Kevin Boilard. I hope you find this helpful in assessing you or your son/daughter's journey in the game!

- Coach class

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