Dodges for attackmen

On offense, attackmen generally play behind the goal, to the side of the goal, or on the crease. Attackmen playing behind the goal or on the wing will need to be effective at dodging to the goal, whereas a crease attackman doesn't necessarily need to have this skill. Because attackmen generally do not start in a position facing the front of the goal (like midfielders do when they are at the top of the field), being able to score is usually not as simple for attackmen as getting their hands free in order to shoot the ball, like it is for midfielders. Getting their hands free for a shot is still a vital component of scoring for attackmen, but they must also be able to dodge to areas on the field where they will have enough shooting angle to score.

To make scoring even more difficult for attackmen, they must dodge against a defender carrying a long stick, which gives the defender an advantage of being able to throw stick checks from a distance. To neutralize the defender's advantage of having a 6 foot pole, attackmen should try to get close to the body of their defender while dodging, forcing the defender to use his hands to push rather than his stick to check. The advantage of the long stick means that attackmen must be even better than midfielders (who usually don't dodge against a long stick) at dodging and creating space between them and their defender so they can shoot the ball. The only way to create this space and to get to areas on the field where they are able to score is with effective dodges and dodging technique.

Dodging from behind the goal

The attackmen behind the goal (the place on the field referred to as "X") usually serves as the "quarterback" of his team's offense. Playing offense behind the goal allows a player to see the entire field. He can see which teammates are open, see when teammates cut across the field, and see where there are defensive breakdowns by the opposing team. From behind the goal, a player can essentially "pick the defense apart" when he has the ball, distributing the ball to teammates who are in position to score.

Playing behind the goal has once glaring disadvantage; you can't score from behind the goal. While you may be a threat to pick apart the defense with passes from behind the goal, you are not an immediate scoring threat. Therefore, it is important for attackmen to be effective at dodging from behind the goal to scoring areas (places on the field in front of the goal) so they can shoot.

When dodging from behind the goal, it should be your intention to get to imaginary areas on the field sometimes referred to as "the islands". The island is a scorer's paradise, because there is the potential to score in a wide variety of ways. There is an island located on either side of the goal - approximately 5 yards to the side of the goal, and five yards above goal-line-extended. The drawing below illustrates where these scoring islands are located.

Since your defender is trying to keep you behind the goal, it is necessary to get a step on your defender in order to get to the island while dodging from behind the goal. "Getting a step on your defender" simply means getting slightly past him, or getting him out of position. Use a dodge to get a step on your defender (a change-of-direction dodge, a roll dodge, etc) behind the goal, and then run to the island to set up a shot. You can generally anticipate that your defender will be pushing against your back, trying to drive you away from the goal, once you reach the island. If you are able to successfully get to an island, even with a defender right on you, you should be able to score utilizing a move like the question mark dodge.

Dodging from the wing

Attackmen dodging from the wing can improve their chances of scoring by taking a better angle at the goal before they dodge. To increase your angle, jog up-field towards the restraining line before beginning your dodge. Jogging up-field will force your defender to re-position himself further up-field and away from the goal. This will leave you more room and you will have a greater shooting angle after you dodge; increasing your chances of scoring. Run hard when you dodge and shoot to the far side of the goal. If you aren't able to shoot after the dodge, you can always run the ball behind the cage or pass to a teammate.

The picture below shows an attackmen dodging from the wing from a bad starting position. With his defender positioned up-field, forcing him behind the goal, the attackmen won't have much room to shoot as he runs out of his dodge.

Below is a picture of a better starting position when dodging from the wing. Starting your dodge further up-field may also open other possibilities, as it will provide much more space to dodge and maneuver while you try to score.

If there is room behind your defender (meaning no other defenders crowding your path to the goal), you can try to get "underneath" your defender and run out of your dodge towards the middle of the field. Getting underneath your defender means that you beat him to the inside, which is where he is trying to force you. You will be most successful in getting underneath your defender if you are quicker than he is. If you can successfully get underneath your defensemen, you will usually find him chasing you from behind. You are now free to step in for a shot with a much better angle than you would have previously had if you had not gotten underneath your defender. The picture below illustrates getting underneath a defenseman while dodging from the wing.