---
title: Building Your Offensive System Around Core Principles with Coach Kyle Hayes
description: Discover how to build a cohesive offensive system with transferable principles from LIU Offensive Coordinator Kyle Hayes. Learn key concepts, drill designs, and player development strategies.
image: https://www.1stclasslax.com/hubfs/IMG_3276.jpeg
---

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 2 min read

# Building Your Offensive System Around Core Principles with Coach Kyle Hayes

[![Picture of Matt Dunn](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogs/Dunn%20Headshot.png?width=30&height=30&name=Dunn%20Headshot.png) Matt Dunn](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/author/matt-dunn-matt-dunn-graduated-from-the-university-of-maryland2016-and-is-currently-a-professional-lacrosse-playerboth-the-premier-lacrosse-league-pll-for-the-whipsnakes-lc-and) : Published September 25, 2025

[Offense](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/tag/offense) [Coaching](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/tag/coaching) [Men's Lacrosse](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/tag/mens-lacrosse)

![Kyle Hayes LIU Lacrosse Coach presented for First Class Lacrosse Coach Community.](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_3276.jpeg?width=1018&height=763&name=IMG_3276.jpeg)

When we started the FCL Coaches Community, our goal was to create the kind of coaching content we wished existed when we were starting out. This webinar with LIU Offensive Coordinator Kyle Hayes is a great example of that.

## Building Your Offensive System Around Core Principles 🥍

*Featuring Kyle Hayes, Offensive Coordinator – LIU*

Kyle’s approach to offense is clear, practical, and principle-driven. Instead of building his system around shapes or plays, he starts with a set of simple, transferable ideas, and then drills them into everything they do.

The result is an offense that feels cohesive. One system, not four. And a group of players who play fast, free, and with a quiet mind.

[🎥 Watch Full Webinar Here](https://first-class-lacrosse.circle.so/c/webinar-recordings/kyle-hayes-building-your-offensive-system-around-core-principles)

---

### Core Teaching Themes

This webinar gave a full look at how Kyle builds and teaches offense from install to stickwork to film review. A few highlights:

**Key Concepts and Language**

Kyle started by sharing the core principles that shape how LIU plays offense. The key is these weren’t empty buzzwords. Each was defined, coached, and shown on film.

- Ball speed: rapid movement with purpose
- Switch the field: attack the third side
- Anticipation: be 3 seconds ahead
- Gap play: create and attack vertical space
- Make 2 guard 1: draw help, move it, punish rotations
- Shot selection: ROA: Range. Open. Angle.
- Swarm mentality: ride hard, win the ground ball battle, create chaos

**Practice and Drill Design**

From stickwork to small-sided play, everything Kyle does in practice connects back to those core principles. Here’s a snapshot of the drills and teaching progressions:

- Nail Passing: posture, footwork, and clean mechanics under pressure
- Fade the Gap: off-ball timing, spacing, and shooting off movement
- Army Line Drills: dodging into pressure, reading the slide, throwing under duress
- Denver 3v3: competitive tennis ball drill that reinforces scout concepts
- 4v4 Hunt the Short Stick: matchup recognition, resizing spacing, two-man reads

**Player Development and Film**

Kyle also walked through how he tracks player growth and keeps the language consistent from the film room to the field.

- Charts that reward things like “making 2 guard 1” or “creating an outlet”
- After-action reports to guide film sessions and player ownership
- IDPs (Individual Development Plans) with clear goals and tailored video

---

### Why It Matters

This session isn’t about running a 2-3-1 or a pairs offense. It’s about building a system where your players know what matters... no matter what shape you’re in.

The principles are simple, but they add up to a clear offensive identity. And Kyle shows exactly how to teach them, reinforce them, and get your players to believe in them.

Whether you’re a high school coach, club director, or college assistant, there’s something in here to take back to your team.

---

### About the Coaches Community

This webinar was hosted inside our [FCL Online Coaches Community](https://first-class-lacrosse.circle.so/checkout/coach-community) - a platform for men’s and women’s coaches at every level who want to keep learning and improving.

We’ve had over 30 college coaches present in-depth sessions, and we have more lined up this fall. Members also get access to categorized drills, implementation threads, staff packages for high school and club programs, and the ability to connect directly with other coaches across the country.

It’s built to be the best resource in lacrosse for coach development, and a place where you and your staff can get aligned.

Hope to see you in there.

### - Coach Dunn

 

### Get Premium content for players, parents or coaches

Check out our community and become a member to view drills, webinars, film breakdowns, courses and more. Use code*BLOG15 for an exclusive discount to our membership community on Circle!*

**[Check Out Our 14 Day Free Trial](https://first-class-lacrosse.circle.so/checkout/coach-community)**

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Transitioning the ball from the defensive end to the offensive end is the ultimate goal of a defensive unit. No matter the talent of your unit, an...

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Playing without the ball is something every offensive coach preaches. 5 out of 6 guys, and 6 out of 7 girls do not have the ball at any given time!...

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