Seals and Picks in Lacrosse...What are they? How are they Different? Why are they Important?

The difference between picks and seals graphic

Introduction:

In lacrosse, some of the most subtle yet game-changing concepts that separate average offenses from high-IQ, principles-based ones are mastering the concepts of proper picks and proper seals.

As we have discussed in previous posts, one major way to be an elite offensive threat or run an elite offensive team is by creating space for yourself or teammates. We achieve this in both free-flowing and structured states through picks and seals. Now, most of us understand what a pick in lacrosse looks like. But a "seal" is a term that some are not as familiar with.

What is a Pick?

A pick in the game of lacrosse is usually an offensive tactic where one player deliberately positions himself in the running or defensive path of an opposing defender to act as an obstacle to create space for their teammate. The objective of a pick is to give a teammate (usually either the ball carrier or a communicated cutter) extra time, room, and space to be an offensive threat. A pick in lacrosse is very similar to a screen in basketball, but the rules of lacrosse picks are a little different. To run an effective pick, there are a few core mechanics to establish and understand:

1.) Setting Proper Positioning

• Must be stationary when contact with the defender occurs.

• Body squared to where the defender will be

2.) Angling

• Angle your teammate and the defender to run directly into you

• A bad angle will allow the defender to slip the pick easily

3.) Timing and Communication

• The ball carrier must time the pick with the picker correctly so that the defender cannot recover.

• Communication with voice or hand signals to communicate where the pick is going to be set or where you want the pick to be set.

There are also different types of picks you can set in the offensive zone. These types of picks are called On-Ball Picks, Off-Ball PIcks, and Slip Picks. These can be described as follows:

1.) On-Ball Picks:

• Set directly on the defender guarding the ball carrier.

2.)Off-Ball Picks:

• Set a pick on a defender guarding a non-ball carrier or cutter, to free them for a feed or more time and space.

3.) Slip Picks:

• The picker fakes going to set a pick, then slips before applying contact with the defender to open space to get open for a feed.

There are many benefits for picks in the offensive zone. In short, some of the benefits are...Creating space for dodges against tough 1v1 defenders. Picks are force defensive miccommunication. Picks are force mismatches. As well as, picks can open up inside feeds when defenders get caught in traffic. Setting a pick is proactive since you set it as a way to create an obstacle.

What is a Seal?

Graphic of a crease seal example

In lacrosse, a seal is an off-ball offensive method where a player uses their body (without going into a full pick) to "seal off" or block an opposing defender from sliding, rotating, or recovering to help their defensive structure.

Try to picture this, instead of setting a traditional pick, the offensive player simply just positions themselves between the defender and where they are trying to go, by simply just "getting in the way". It can almost be seen as "boxing out" like in basketball. The goal is to create or even preserve space for a teammate who has the ball, or may be cutting, by acting as an "accidental barricade", by holding the defender behind your body.

The key difference from a "moving pick" is that with a seal, you are typically already in your position and are simply just holding your ground. By using your current positioning on the field, rather than active movement. An example of where this may be run is when an attackman is dodging towards the crease, and another offensive player seals the crease defender to prevent him from sliding to the dodger. Or off-ball wise, an offensive player may seal a defender to open up a cutter looking for a feed coming through.

A seal's overall objective is to stop a slide, delay a rotation, or free up a cutter. You see this a lot in the game of basketball with centers and power forwards, where they "box out" to delay defensive rotations or free up more space. One NBA player I remember being very effective at this was Marcian Gorat, who was with the Washington Wizards a few years back.

Some benefits of a seal are that it creates high-percentage looks for teammates, such as inside feeds, dunks, or skip-passes. Seals can minimize turnovers by making defensive slides or rotations late or ineffective. Seals can build spacing by sealing off denders and keep them occupied, which opens up more dodging, shooting, or passing lanes.

A good deal often goes unnoticed to casual fans, players, or parents, but to high-IQ coaches and players, it's the genuine foundation of high-level lacrosse IQ.

If you are not an elite or primary dodger on your team, you can make yourself insanely effective in an offensive and on the field by mastering sealing. Crease attackmen or midfielders, seals will be your best friends. It's not always the prettiest, but it is the dirty work that wins possessions, creates goals, and gets you noticed by coaches.

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-Coach Truett Wilson