Defending a 2v2 Pick: Breaking It Down Through Levels
The two-woman game is a constant in women’s lacrosse. It shows up across the field, around the 8-meter, at X, in transition, and it creates a large share of offense. Because of that, defending 2v2 situations is not a niche skill; it is a basic requirement for any functional team defense.
Understanding Levels in a Two-Woman Game
Poll Results taken directly from our community.
At a basic level, most players and coaches understand the idea of defending a pick, and everyone has their own philosophy on how best to teach it. But once the concept of levels is introduced, how two defenders are positioned relative to each other, that understanding starts to break down.
And that gap matters. This is not a minor detail. It directly affects:
whether defenders are actually connected and helping each other
how early and clearly decisions get made
how much space the offense is able to exploit
Before putting this together, we asked our community a simple question: how deep do you understand levels on defense?
Only 16% showed a clear, working understanding of what it means to be on the same level versus different levels when defending a two-woman game. So instead of assuming this knowledge is already there, we took a step back and broke it down more deliberately, because once this piece clicks, a lot of 2v2 defense starts to make more sense.
Why This Concept Gets Missed
Part of the issue is that it is not always obvious in real time. The difference between “same level” and “different levels” can be:
A step or two of separation
Slightly different depth relative to the 8-meter
A moment of hesitation before adjusting
But that small difference is enough to: open a lane, delay communication, or turn a manageable 2v2 into an offensive advantage.
What “Levels” Actually Means in 2v2 Defense
A simple way to understand levels is through spacing and positioning relative to the goal, using the 8-meter arc as a reference point.
When defenders are on the different levels:
They don't have the same field of vision!
One is inside the 8-meter, the other is outside, there is sizable space between them (even just a step or two).
Considering this, it’s important to understand that the gap between the players can become a lane for attackers if the defenders decide to switch.
When defenders are on the same level:
They have the same field of vision!
Both are aligned relative to the 8-meter (inside or on it), they are positioned on the same plane (not touching, but close enough), and there is no meaningful space between them.
From this position, they see the same picture, communicate earlier, and can respond as a unit to either switch or stay, hedge and recover, whichever they decide in the moment is best.
How ‘Levels’ Play Out In Real Time
If you want to see these concepts in action, check out these clips from other Women’s Lacrosse Drills training sessions. These highlights are just a small sample of the full breakdowns and drills available through the WLD community. There's much more detail and hands-on instruction waiting for players and coaches who want to improve their 2v2 defense.
Emily Boissonneault, Division 1 Head Coach at University of Pittsburgh, Canadian National Team Player, and World Champion, breaks down what happens when defenders are on different levels. She shows how spacing changes responsibility, how defenders must stay with their player through the pick, and how awareness prevents gaps that attackers can exploit.
Kara Sanford, founder of WLD, focuses on defenders on the same level. Her clip demonstrates how being aligned shoulder-to-shoulder allows for early communication, and more flexibility when it comes to deciding whether to switch or stay.
Take Your Defense Further with WLD
By practicing these drills and learning from top coaches, defenders can recognize levels instinctively, communicate effectively, and make smarter decisions under pressure, all skills that transfer directly into competitive play.
Joining WLD gives access to:
Full video breakdowns of 2v2 pick defense
Step-by-step and age appropriate drills with video explanations for coaches
Progressions designed to carry directly into game situations
