Riding

Riding is pressuring the other team’s defense when they are trying to clear the ball in-bounds or out-of-bounds. At this level, there is really no need to set up a complicated riding package. For both in-bounds and out-of-bounds riding, the most important aspect is to make sure that the midfielders pick up a midfielder on the other team and stay with him. This keeps the other team from getting any fast breaks.

The attackmen have to run their hardest to pressure the defensemen with the ball. When in-bounds riding, hard pressure from the attackmen can cause many turnovers and lead to extra possessions for your team. One attackman should pressure the goalie when he gets possession of the ball and the other two attackmen should pick up two defensemen to cover.

MAKE IT HARD ON ‘EM!

There are two different ways for the attackmen to ride in an out-of-bounds situation: high pressure or low pressure. With high pressure, all three attackmen cover the defensemen and press the ball on the end line. This ride makes it hard on the defense because they are being pressured from the very start. With low pressure, all the attackmen hang back at the restraining line and wait to pressure when the defense moves up the field. This ride makes it difficult for the clearing team because they have less space to work with when the attack finally starts putting pressure on them.