How does the hitch dodge work in lacrosse. What are the key components of an effective hitch dodge. Why is the hitch dodge such a powerful move in lacrosse. How can players improve their hitch dodge technique. What are common mistakes to avoid when performing a hitch dodge.
Understanding the Fundamentals of the Lacrosse Hitch Dodge
The lacrosse hitch dodge is a fundamental offensive move that can create space and opportunities for scoring. But what exactly is a hitch dodge?
A hitch dodge, also known as a shot fake or pass fake, is a deceptive maneuver where the player simulates a shooting or passing motion to throw off the defender. This sudden change in movement can cause the defender to hesitate or lose balance, allowing the offensive player to gain an advantage.
The effectiveness of a hitch dodge lies in its ability to create separation between the attacker and defender. When executed properly, it can leave defenders “in the dust,” as one coach aptly put it.
Key Components of an Effective Hitch Dodge
- Quick, convincing fake motion
- Explosive change of direction
- Maintaining proper stick protection
- Reading the defender’s reaction
The Mechanics of Performing a Hitch Dodge
Executing a successful hitch dodge requires precise timing and body control. Here’s a breakdown of the steps involved:
- Approach the defender with control and purpose
- Perform a quick, believable shot or pass fake
- Plant your foot and change direction explosively
- Protect your stick as you accelerate past the defender
Can anyone perform a hitch dodge? While the basic mechanics can be learned by most players, mastering the move takes practice and repetition. Players of all skill levels can benefit from incorporating hitch dodges into their offensive repertoire.
Variations and Advanced Techniques of the Hitch Dodge
As players become more comfortable with the basic hitch dodge, they can explore variations to keep defenders guessing. Some advanced techniques include:
The Skip Hitch Roll
This variation combines a hitch dodge with a quick roll move, adding an extra layer of deception. It’s particularly effective when a defender is overcommitting to the initial fake.
The Pull Dodge
Combining a hitch with a pull dodge can create even more separation from defenders. This move involves faking a pass or shot, then quickly pulling the stick back while stepping away from the defender.
How do these variations differ from the standard hitch dodge? While the core principle of deception remains the same, these advanced techniques incorporate additional movements to further throw off defenders and create scoring opportunities.
Training Drills to Improve Your Hitch Dodge
Improving your hitch dodge requires consistent practice and focused training. Here are some drills to help refine your technique:
Mirror Drill
Work with a partner, mirroring each other’s movements to improve footwork and timing.
Cone Drill
Set up cones to represent defenders and practice hitch dodges around them, focusing on sharp changes of direction.
Reaction Drill
Have a coach or teammate call out different dodge types, including hitch dodges, to improve decision-making and reaction time.
How often should players practice hitch dodges? Incorporating hitch dodge practice into regular training sessions, even for just 10-15 minutes, can lead to significant improvements over time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Performing a Hitch Dodge
Even experienced players can fall into bad habits when executing hitch dodges. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:
- Telegraphing the fake motion
- Not selling the fake convincingly
- Failing to protect the stick during the dodge
- Losing speed or momentum after the fake
How can players avoid these mistakes? Focus on maintaining fluid, natural movements throughout the dodge. Practice in front of a mirror or film yourself to identify any telegraphing motions or hesitations.
Incorporating the Hitch Dodge into Team Offense
While the hitch dodge is an effective individual move, its true power lies in how it can be integrated into a team’s offensive strategy. Here are some ways to incorporate hitch dodges into team play:
Creating Space for Teammates
Use hitch dodges to draw defenders and create passing lanes for teammates cutting to the goal.
Initiating Fast Breaks
A well-executed hitch dodge can quickly turn defense into offense, sparking fast break opportunities.
Setting Up Pick and Roll Plays
Combine hitch dodges with off-ball picks to create mismatches and scoring chances.
How does incorporating hitch dodges affect overall team offense? By keeping defenders off-balance and creating dynamic movement, hitch dodges can make an entire offense more unpredictable and difficult to defend against.
The Psychology Behind Effective Hitch Dodges
Success with hitch dodges isn’t just about physical execution—there’s a significant mental component as well. Understanding the psychology behind the move can help players become more effective:
Reading Defenders
Skilled players learn to anticipate defenders’ reactions, allowing them to choose the most effective type of hitch dodge for each situation.
Confidence and Commitment
Selling the fake requires full commitment and confidence. Hesitation or doubt can telegraph your intentions to the defender.
Adapting to Game Situations
The best dodgers know when to use hitch dodges and when to employ other techniques based on game flow and defensive strategies.
How does mental preparation impact the effectiveness of hitch dodges? Visualization exercises and situational awareness drills can help players develop the mental acuity needed to execute hitch dodges successfully under pressure.
Defensive Strategies Against Hitch Dodges
While this article focuses primarily on offensive techniques, it’s valuable for players to understand how defenders might counter hitch dodges. This knowledge can help offensive players anticipate and overcome defensive tactics.
Staying Balanced
Defenders who maintain a low, balanced stance are less likely to be thrown off by sudden fakes.
Focusing on the Hips
Experienced defenders know to watch an attacker’s hips rather than their upper body or stick, as the hips usually indicate true direction of movement.
Proper Positioning
Maintaining proper defensive positioning can limit the effectiveness of hitch dodges by reducing the space available for attackers to operate.
How can offensive players counter these defensive strategies? By mastering multiple dodge types and combining them unpredictably, attackers can keep defenders guessing and maintain their advantage.
The hitch dodge remains a cornerstone of effective lacrosse offense, capable of creating scoring opportunities and keeping defenses off-balance. By mastering the fundamentals, exploring variations, and integrating the move into team strategies, players can significantly enhance their offensive capabilities. Remember, consistent practice and a willingness to learn from both successes and failures are key to becoming proficient with this powerful technique.
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PLL
Sent that man off the entire screen ✌️ #lacrosse #lax #offense #hitch #dodge #sports #goal #footwork
3.1K Likes, TikTok video from PLL (@pll): “Sent that man off the entire screen ✌️ #lacrosse #lax #offense #hitch #dodge #sports #goal #footwork”. WAIT FOR THE HITCH 😳 sonido original – 𝒄𝒂𝒔.
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sonido original – 𝒄𝒂𝒔
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The Lacrosse Network
Kevin Winkoff’s hitch has been DEADLY in the NCAA Tournament 🔥😵 #lacrosse #lax #laxtok #pennstate #hitch #sports #ncaa #fyp
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3K Likes, 50 Comments. TikTok video from The Lacrosse Network (@lacrossenetwork): “Kevin Winkoff’s hitch has been DEADLY in the NCAA Tournament 🔥😵 #lacrosse #lax #laxtok #pennstate #hitch #sports #ncaa #fyp”. We Rise Against – Jonathan Paulsen.
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We Rise Against – Jonathan Paulsen
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ReaLax101
Breakdown of hitch dodge #lacrosse #lax #coach #skills #dodge #face #follow #for you #fyp #duet
131 Likes, TikTok video from ReaLax101 (@realax101): “Breakdown of hitch dodge #lacrosse #lax #coach #skills #dodge #face #follow #for you #fyp #duet”. Rain (Instrumental) – Gabriel Savage.
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Rain (Instrumental) – Gabriel Savage
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Jon Muller
Add the skip hitch roll to your arsenal #lax #lacrosse #lacrossetok #lacrosseboys #lacrossedodging #lacrossedodge #lacrosseshooting
80 Likes, TikTok video from Jon Muller (@lax_scientist): “Add the skip hitch roll to your arsenal #lax #lacrosse #lacrossetok #lacrosseboys #lacrossedodging #lacrossedodge #lacrosseshooting”. original sound – Jon Muller.
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original sound – Jon Muller
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coachgabe0 GABE
So @mariemccool4 did this 😱.The Pull dodge is not a hard move to pull off (see what i did there).The combination of the pass or shot fake (also called a hitch) leaves the defender in the dust. .This is another dodge to add to the bag. .#lacrosse #laxisl ife #girlsl acrosse #womens lacrosse #workha rd
42 Likes, TikTok video from coachgabe0 GABE (@coachgabe0): “So @mariemccool4 did this 😱.The Pull dodge is not a hard move to pull off (see what i did there).The combination of the pass or shot fake (also called a hitch) leaves the defender in the dust. .This is another dodge to add to the bag. .#lacrosse #laxislife #girlslacrosse #womenslacrosse #workhard”. original sound – coachgabe0 GABE.
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original sound – coachgabe0 GABE
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Apex Lacrosse Events
Coach Whipple of Bucknell teaching hitching to the attackman #apex #lacrosse #lax
423 Likes, TikTok video from Apex Lacrosse Events (@apexlacrosse): “Coach Whipple of Bucknell teaching hitching to the attackman #apex #lacrosse #lax”. How to Hitch original sound – Apex Lacrosse Events.
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SELL the HITCH ⚡️💪 #fyp #tiktok #foryoupage #lacrosse #coaching #lacrossetraining #teachersoftiktok #lax #academy #lacrossechallenge #laxdrills #laxislife #lacrosseislife #lacrossedrills #laxmom #lacrosseworkouts #lacrosseplayer
3. 9K Likes, TikTok video from Strive Lacrosse Academy (@strivelacrosseacademy): “SELL the HITCH ⚡️💪 #fyp #tiktok #foryoupage #lacrosse #coaching #lacrossetraining #teachersoftiktok #lax #academy #lacrossechallenge #laxdrills #laxislife #lacrosseislife #lacrossedrills #laxmom #lacrosseworkouts #lacrosseplayer”. original sound – Strive Lacrosse Academy.
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original sound – Strive Lacrosse Academy
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Ballers Academy
Use hitches (shot fakes) to beat a approaching defenseman and create space, and then come back to your strength. #lacrosse #training #lacrossetraining #lovethegame #elevateyourgame #beyourbest #fyp
100 Likes, TikTok video from Ballers Academy (@ballers.academy): “Use hitches (shot fakes) to beat a approaching defenseman and create space, and then come back to your strength. #lacrosse #training #lacrossetraining #lovethegame #elevateyourgame #beyourbest #fyp”. All The Way Up (feat. Infared) – Fat Joe & Remy Ma & French Montana.
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All The Way Up (feat. Infared) – Fat Joe & Remy Ma & French Montana
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Nate Bridges
December 6th 2022 #motivation #fyp #trending #lacrosse #viral @Thenameisry @hayden
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earlyelevation
Hitch Details📝📝📈
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Roxanne – Instrumental – Califa Azul
The Power of the Hitch: Lacrosse’s Fake Shot!
The Hitch is something that every offensive player needs in his or her bag. Period.
The Power of the hitch
Why is it important? It’s deceptive. It tells the defense and goalie we are doing something we are not: shoot.
Ever see basketball players fly out to contest a corner 3, only to jump, whiff, and let the opponent drive baseline? Ever see a quarterback pump fake at the rushing defensive end, evade pressure, and complete the first down? Ever see a women’s soccer player wind up to kick, pause & let the defender slide by, and then attack?
The power of a fake shot is real and every offensive lacrosse player needs to expand their arsenal of hitches. It comes more natural to men’s players who grow up dreaming of ripping step downs. When I first started training girls in 2017, I always advised them to work on this hitch even if they: 1) weren’t allowed to actually shoot power shots, and 2) weren’t comfortable with it or it wasn’t their strength.
Why? Because the fake shot causes defenders to bite and will open up the dodge!
We can use the hitch to:
- Windup and get topside
- Windup and tuck under
- Windup, step back and shoot
- Windup and split
- Windup and roll
- Windup and feed
- Windup on the run
The list goes on!
Our FCL Online members have seen our hitch series in our online portal for 3+ years. We have also recently released episodes 1-4 on our YouTube channel.
We are continuing to expand our YouTube presence to supplement all we teach on social media, and our paid member platform.
We hope you check it out and support by watching & sharing!
Check out the links below and take a peek at some of our other popular YouTube content.
– Coach Class
New Hitch Series on Youtube
We have recently released 3 videos from our FCL Online library, to our Youtube Channel. These cover the Hitch Move and the Face Dodge and are going to be KEY for you and your players this spring. Check it out and feel free to share!
Video 1: The Hitch
Video 2: How to Face Dodge
Video 3: The Hitch and Split
youtube.com/embed/ch2VXRq3CpY?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” allowfullscreen=”” title=”Hitch Series: Hitch and Split!”>
Video 4: Cam Rubin Hitch for Penn
Video 5: Ways to Use Hitches in the 8 Meter
Video 6: Izzy Scane Windup and Face Dodge
Video 7: 2019 Chaos on the Run Hitch (mad I didn’t score it!)
Video 8: Former Player Kerrigan Miller with a Sweet Hitch during USA camp!
We hope you found this helpful.
We started First Class Lacrosse because we believe in the power player development. We believe you can get exponentially better if you combine a great work ethic with the guidance of knowing what to work on and how to do it. Luckily, we experienced it firsthand as players and coaches. Our goal is to pass on what we have learned and experienced to future generations of lacrosse players, parents, and coaches. Join our Email List here.
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Sleight of hand and a little ingenuity
Evening Moscow
© Evening Moscow
A lacrosse master class was held at the Metallurg Stadium in Moscow. The correspondent of “Evening Moscow” took part in the training, learned the secrets of the game and other features of this sport.
Video of the day
I enter the training ground and immediately notice the gates facing each other.
I immediately remembered my childhood: after school I managed to play football on the school field and score a couple of goals against my opponents. Before starting the game, I warm up and do some simple exercises on my arms and legs to disperse the blood. After that, the head of the Moscow branch of the 6 × 6 Lacrosse Federation, Alexander Zarubin, gives me playing equipment.
First of all, I put on a helmet that resembles a hockey helmet, because it has a steel mesh that protects the player’s face. I tighten the straps on the helmet and secure them with latches. Then – elbow pads and gloves with soft linings, which are also similar to hockey ones. They give me a club with a net at the end in the form of a net, it is called a cross. I put a rubber ball in the net. It must be carried across the field and scored into the opponent’s goal.
“Lacrosse is a contact sport where you can hit the hands and the cross to knock the ball away from the opponent,” Zarubin instructs me, after which he quickly hooks my cross with his own, which makes the ball jump out of my net.
– You must always be on the alert and keep the cross with both hands.
After such a trick, I understand that the game will not be easy. The next exercise I work out serves. The coach throws the ball to me with one stroke of his cross, which I stop, and he ends up in my net. I repeat the service several times, after which the whistle sounds, and all the players gather in the middle of the field to start the game. There are six of us in the team.
I got the role of an attacker. I go to the center of the field, get down on one knee and put my cross on the ball. The enemy stands in front of me and does the same. As soon as the signal for the beginning of the game sounds, we simultaneously lower our nets onto the ball. I fight for it, trying to push the opponent’s cross and capture the coveted ball into the net. It turns out with difficulty, but I succeed, and now I’m running to the opponent’s goal in order to earn the points necessary for victory.
One of the defenders stands in front of me and tries to hit the “net” to clear the ball, but I dodge, remembering the lesson, and go around him.
Ahead I see the goalkeeper, who is preparing to repel my attack. I have to be cunning: I start the cross to the left side, as if I want to throw the ball, but I lower the stick with lightning speed and throw it into the opponent’s goal. Goal!
RULES
Each team has four, six or ten players. There are forwards, midfielders, defenders and a goalkeeper. After the referee has blown the whistle, the players must use their sticks and body to attempt to gain possession of the ball. A lacrosse match is divided into four equal time quarters. In play, the ball can be carried, thrown or hit with a stick, rolled or kicked.
Handball, Alexander Zarubin
Evening Moscow: top news
A family of Russians broke through the Polish border into Belarus
in Odintsovo
Philip Morris announced a gradual refusal to produce traditional cigarettes
Svechnikov’s brilliant pass is played all over America. Deceived the goalkeeper and made a masterpiece
The young forward has a bumper season with the Carolinas.
And his assist has already been called a fake lacrosse goal.
Andrey Svechnikov / Photo: © Jonathan Kozub / Contributor / National Hockey League / Gettyimages.ru
When it comes to Russian NHL stars, Ovechkin, Kucherov, Panarin, Vasilevsky are the first to come to mind. Carolina forward Andrey Svechnikov is always somewhere in the second row due to his youth. His best years are yet to come, but what he shows in Carolina right now cannot but impress.
This is the fourth season in the NHL for the 21-year-old forward. It has not even been a year since he officially became an adult in North America, and by the standards of the league, the Russian is already quite considered a veteran. Last summer, he signed an eight-year contract with the Carolinas, defining for himself the club in which the best years of his career will pass.
Maybe it was the confidence in the future that helped Svechnikov kick off the season: he had an unusually productive start, scoring 18 points in the first 14 matches.
The second half of November and December were not successful for the Russian, although, even without scoring points, he remained one of the most dangerous on the court – according to this indicator, he is the leader of the “hurricanes”. In January, the striker got into a new line and shone again, and Carolina joined the fight for first place in the conference.
Andrey Svechnikov / Photo: © Gregg Forwerck / Contributor / National Hockey League / Gettyimages.ru
Not a lacrosse goal, but a lacrosse pass
Gates of Calgary in 2019. It is notable for the fact that the puck enters the goal not as a result of a shot, but as a result of a skid with a stick. In general, very spectacular. It was the first lacrosse goal in the league. Since then, it has been repeated several times, but it was Svechnikov who made a splash in the NHL for the first time. And at the most crucial moment, he decided to repeat it. But not quite!
On Friday, the Rangers arrived in North Carolina, another division leader along with the Hurricanes.
Both teams have won the last three matches, which means that someone’s streak should have been interrupted. The Carolina players immediately took the initiative, having secured a reserve of two goals by the end of the first period, Svechnikov chalked up one of the passes. The Bluesharts didn’t succeed in almost anything, and during the period they made only 4 shots – the Carolina goalkeeper was literally bored for 20 minutes.
Alexander Georgiev / Photo: © REUTERS / Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
In the second period, the game became more open. With the score 0:3, the Rangers went ahead, won back one goal, but by the end of the period, goalkeeper Alexander Georgiev conceded two more goals. One of them organized Svechnikov: having received the puck behind the goal, he began to handle it in such a way as if he wants to throw it on a stick and repeat his famous lacrosse goal. But in fact, the Russian was waiting for a teammate to drive up to the patch. Neither defender Patrick Nemeth, nor Georgiev, who expected Svechnikov to throw, but not pass into the goalkeeper’s area, figured out this trick.
As a result, Nino Niederreiter accurately completed an amazing pass.
“Carolina” – at the top
Fans instantly scattered in compliments to the Russian in social networks: a monster, a hurricane (by analogy with the nickname “Carolina”), a master, and at the same time they gave the name to his pass – “fake lacrosse goal”. And indeed, the handling of the puck looked no less spectacular than Svechnikov’s goal three years ago. This moment became the highlight of the day, and it is already actively played all over America.
An accurate shot by Niederreiter was the fifth goal for Carolina, and the Hurricanes obviously allowed themselves to relax a bit. In the third period, the Rangers had superiority, but they were only enough to ensure that the defeat did not look too pathetic. Panarin left the ice with a utility index of “-2”, while Georgiev saved only 82 percent of shots.
Photo: © Claus Andersen / Contributor / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru
The match ended with a score of 6:3, Svechnikov became the third star of the meeting, and Carolina caught up and overtook the Bluesherts in the standings.
