The faceoff is the most unique aspect of lacrosse. It is the game within the game. The one-on-one matchup built into the team sport. When it comes to a part of the game resembling wrestling, facing off is that position. 2 players go head-to-head for the entirety of a game. And when the game ends, everyone knows which player won the match up that day.
Faceoffs are primarily built on grit and skill. But they are also built on mindset and preparation. Each faceoff is a bit like a rock-paper-scissors matchup. In certain situations, one move will beat another, while other times that same move will not work against a different move from your opponent. This is where practice and preparation are key. It's important to get as many live faceoff reps as possible to practice your craft. While getting live reps you can also pick up on tells from your opponents that will help give away what move they are going to use against you. Knowing what your opponent is trying to do gives you a significant edge.
Faceoff athletes are built in all shapes and sizes which also makes the position unique. There are advantages and disadvantages to being big, small, fast, etc. The trick is maximizing the tools you have in your toolbox. And ultimately, practice is king. One of my favorite quotes is one by Bruce Lee. He said, "I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times." This focuses directly on the idea of practicing each of your faceoff techniques, individually, over and over and over again.
When I played I loved the faceoff because of the one-on-one aspect within the team game. I love to compete and this was the ultimate competition for me in our game. It's also a unique position because the stats don't always tell the full story. If you can put a game together and win 60 - 65% of your faceoffs, that's considered a great day. But where things get interesting in my perspective is what you do during those wins or losses? Statistically speaking, wins are credited when you or a teammate pick up the ball after the initial faceoff whistle. But a stat that isn't tracked is whether you or your teammate turned the ball over after the win? This is often more important than a stat sheet win. Additionally, on a win, did you turn it into a goal on that possession or did you score on an immediate fast break goal? These are back breaker goals for the opponents and can create a massive swing in momentum. After the other team is on a 3 goal run, can you win that next important, impactful faceoff to give your team a chance to score and your D a chance to rest? Can you win the opening draw? Can you win the first faceoff after halftime? And most importantly, can you win the faceoff in overtime? These are the things that in my opinion make up the greatest faceoff men in the world. Yes, skill, toughness and grit help get you there. But being focused and mentally strong to pull through a win in those tough moments is what separates the best from just average. Next time you watch a game, don't focus on wins and losses at the "X". Focus on the key faceoff wins and how they impact the pace and flow of the game.
