Special Plays: Apple, Mango and Obi-Wan
The following three plays, Apple, Mango and
Obi-Wan, vary in degree of difficulty, but can
still be used with in our base “13” set to trick
the defense. They are not meant to be used
all the time, and will be most successful when
used to catch the defense off-guard. All three
initiate from behind the goal and can
therefore be used as out of bounds plays as
well.
•Special Plays
Apple: Level of Play
Apple is an extremely simple attack pick play
that can be used by players of all age and skill
levels.
•Level of Play (Apple)
Set-up: Apple
This play uses the same starting positions as
“13” with the ball behind the goal at X with
A2. Ideally, A3 is a left-handed and A2 is a
right handed feeder. Or the play can be run to
the other side of the cage and A2 is a left
handed feeder and A1 is a right handed
finisher. Apple stands for Attack pick.
•Set-up (Apple)
Apple: Set Up
A1
A2
A3
M3
M2M1
On this version of our play, A2
is a right handed feeder.
A3 is ideally a left handed
finisher.
Apple: Execution
A2 dodges to his right and prepares to feed
the ball to A3. The adjacent, ball-side
attackmen (A1) cuts through like he normally
would in “13”, but then sets a pick for A3
coming around him. Instead of drifting behind
the goal as he normally would in “13”, A3 cuts
to the crease and comes over the top of A1’s
pick looking to receive A2’s feed…
•Execution (Apple)
Special Plays: Apple Execution
While the attack is performing its pick/cut
movements, the midfielders want to open the
field to create space. M1 will step down
toward the ball, M2 will slide to the middle of
the field, and M3 will pop off the crease to
the high away from ball side. Hopefully A3
will be open on the pick, but if he’s not, A2
should pull the ball back out and set up the
regular “13” offense.
•Execution (Apple Continued)
Mango: Level of Play
Mango is an extremely simple midfield pick
play that can be used by players of all age and
skill levels.
•Level of Play (Mango)
Mango: Set Up
The offense should be in the starting positions
for “13” (and Apple) with the ball at X with
A2. Ideally, M3 is a left handed finisher and
A2 is a right handed feeder. Or the play can be
run to the other side of the cage and M3 is a
right handed finisher and A2 is a right handed
feeder. Mango stands for Midfield pick.
•Set Up (Mango)
Mango: Set Up
A1
A2
A3
M3
M2M1
On this version of our play, A2
is a right handed feeder.
M3 is ideally a left handed
finisher.
Mango: Execution
A2 dodges to his right and prepares to feed
the ball to M3. Adjacent attackman (A1) cuts
through like would in a normal “13”, but then
he sets a pick for M3 coming around him.
Instead of popping off the crease as he did in
“Apple” M3 comes over the top of the pick set
by A1 looking for the feed from A2. A3 drifts
behind the goal to provide back up and to act
as an outlet for A2 if he is forced to roll back
and away from pressure.
•Execution (Mango)
Mango: Execution Continued
While the A1 and M3 are performing their
pick/cut combination, M1 and m2 replace
exchange spots, hoping to occupy their men
so they can’t help out on the crease.
Hopefully M3 will be open on the pick, but if
he’s not, A2 should pull the ball back out and
set up the regular “13” offense.
•Execution (Mango Continued)
Special Plays: Obi-Wan
Obi-Wan is best suited for teams with more
advanced stickwork but can be effective at all
skill levels. You may have to set up certain
players in specific positions in order for this
play to work, so it is often used as an out of
bounds play similar to Apple and Mango.
•Level of Play (Obi-Wan)
Set Up: Obi-Wan
Obi-Wan starts in a 1-3-2 formation. It utilizes
the “pick-the-picker” technique to create an
open shot. X1 picks up the ball to the left or
right of the goal. In this description he starts
to the left of the goal and carries to the right.
X3 lines up on the crease, about 3-5 yards
directly in front of the goal. X2 and X4 start
out right on the left and right wings about 3-5
yards above GLE and 4 yards outside of the
right and left pipes.
•Set-up (Obi-Wan)
Set Up: Obi-Wan
X5 and X6 wants to be high within the
restraining box around 12-15 yards above GLE
and 5-7 yards to the left and right. Ideally, X1
can carry the ball with his right and left hand,
is a good decision-maker, and can feed with
both hands. X2 should be left-handed and X4
should be right-handed so they are shooting
with their strong hands at the end of the play.
•Set-up (Obi-Wan Continued)
Obi-Wan: Set Up
X4
X1
X2
X3
X5X6
On this version of our play, X1 is a capable feeder with both hands.
X2 is ideally a left handed
finisher.
X4 is ideally a right-handed
finisher.
Obi-Wan: Execution
X1 carries to his right. X2 sets a pick for X3
who comes over the top looking for the ball. If
X3 is open, then X1 should throw him the ball.
Against a capable defense this will not be
open. X1 then continues to carry the ball
across X towards the right side of the goal.
After X2 sets the pick for X3, he wants to
pause and let the defense think this play is
finished. It is important that X2 “sell” this
portion of the play.
•Execution (Obi-Wan)
Obi-Wan: Execution
As soon as this occurs, X4 sets a pick on X2’s
man so that X2 comes over the top of the
screen looking for a feed form X1. While all of
the this action occurs, X5 and X6 want to
replace each other just trying to occupy their
men so they are not in a position to help on
the crease picks. Again, this play is most
effective out of dead-ball situations, and
should not be run sparingly. It can, however,
be used as a special play out of the base “13”
set.
•Execution (Obi-Wan Continued)
Obi-Wan: Execution
It’s imperative that X2 “sell” the initial pick, as
the total play. He wants to hesitate before coming off the second pick. At which point he will be
looking to shoot.
Curveballs: Mango Set Up
The offense should be in the starting positions
for “13” (and Apple) with the ball at X with
A2. Ideally, M3 is a left handed finisher and
A2 is a right handed feeder. Or the play can be
run to the other side of the cage and M3 is a
right handed finisher and A2 is a right handed
feeder. Mango stands for Midfield pick.
•Set Up (Mango)
Mango: Set Up
A1
A2
A3
M3
M2M1
On this version of our play, A2
is a right handed feeder.
M3 is ideally a left handed
finisher.
Special Plays: Apple, Mango and Obi-Wan Final Notes
Spacing on all three of these plays is
important. It’s important that the pick be set
so that the players coming over the screens
have sufficient shooting angle. Similarly,
timing is very important as well. The feed and
the cut must be coordinated to arrive at the
appropriate times…
•Execution (Final Notes)
Special Plays: Apple, Mango and Obi-Wan Final Notes Continued
Also, remember that all of these plays (Apple,
Mango and Obi-Wan) can be run with A2
dodging to his left. In these scenarios the
actions will mirror that of the original plays,
and the dominant hands of the players
involved will be flipped to maximize
opportunities for success.
•Execution (Final Notes Cont.)