Riding Schemes: Essential Rules and Roles for the 10-Man Zone Ride

Force your opponent into turnovers and low percentage passes through the 10-Man Zone Ride. Stevens head coach Gene Peluso walks you through each step of his go-to riding system and breaks down complete player roles and responsibilities. Then catch his squad in action as players demonstrate the zone ride in a full-field setting.

10-Man Zone Ride Overview

According to Coach Peluso, coaches aren’t spending nearly enough time on the riding game at all levels. If you spend time enforcing it with your team, it can pay major dividends. As for this system, it’s an all or nothing, no hesitation ride utilized 75 percent of the time by Stevens. A key point to remember is that there will be times when your squad lets up transition goals, but 7 out of 10 times they should be looking to get the ball on the ground and create some offense.

Attackman Rules

1) The attack is in a triangle and a rotation call

2) It’s important that the backside attack covers the middle of the field in front of the face-off area to give added support

3) Ride towards the outside of the field (get a trap or double to produce a turnover)

4) No takeaway checks; Ride hip to hip and set up the ball carrier for the trap or double

5) Do your job and contain the clearing person in your area

6) If there are two players in your area, go to the one closest to the ball.

All players go hard to the ball when it is thrown in your area. They have no responsibility behind them. They maintain their position in the zone even if there’s a player in his zone (meaning they do not begin to cover the man in their zone until the ball is thrown).

Midfield Riding Rules

1) Wing middies have responsibility to go after anyone in front of them when the ball is thrown.

2) Wing middies cover the wing area from the sideline to the face-off X area.

3) The center middie (LSM) covers the area from the middle up to the sidelines. This player is very aggressive. It’s important they play their angles right. Try to funnel the ball carrier into a trap. Pin players to the sidelines and not the middle of the field.

All players go hard to the ball when it is thrown in your area. They have no responsibility behind them. They maintain their position in the zone even if there is a player in his zone (meaning they do not begin to cover the man in their zone until the ball is thrown).

Defensive and Goalie Riding Rules

1) Wing defenders have similar responsibilities as the wing middies.

2) Cover any throw in their areas from the sideline to the center of the field between their defensive restraining line and the midfield line.

3) The goalie and down defender will split the three attackmen leaving the attacker furthest from the ball. The goalie should stay close to the cage.

All players go hard to the ball when it is thrown in your area. They have no responsibility behind them. They maintain their position in the zone even if there is a player in his zone (meaning they do not begin to cover the man in their zone until the ball is thrown).

Notes: Don’t let players get nervous and bail out of this. Don’t encourage this. Many turnovers can still occur in defensive side of the field.

General Riding Rules

1) This is an all or nothing ride

2) There should be no hesitation

3) Go full speed and attack the ball when it is thrown in front of you in your area

Notes: The hope is that so much pressure is created that the opponent can’t get the ball near our defensive restraining line. If they do, it is a scramble situation. It may happen 2 out of 10 times, but the 8 times it does not, we may create unsettled opportunities for our offense.

The previous clips can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD ”High Energy, High Success Rides” with Gene Peluso. To check out more special teams videos in our lacrosse library, click here.