In the fast-paced, high-scoring pace of Sixes lacrosse, Asher Nolting has emerged as a nightmare matchup for defenders. His performance in last year’s Championship Series title game, during which he touched the ball on nearly every possession, proved he’s not only an elite playmaker, but a force that can single-handedly dictate the flow of the game. 

The Philadelphia Waterdogs’ defensive adjustment to stop sliding to Nolting entirely – a strategy designed to turn him into a pure scorer – backfired, to say the least. Nolting thrived, punishing them with a combination of precise shooting and unrelenting physicality to help the Boston Cannons earn their first Championship Series crown. 

As the 2025 Lexus Championship Series approaches, the question looms: Can anyone truly contain Asher Nolting in Sixes lacrosse?

The Sixes style: A perfect fit for Nolting

Sixes lacrosse, with its smaller field, fewer players and 30-second shot clock, emphasizes speed, creativity and isolation play. For Nolting, it’s the perfect environment to showcase his unique skill set. His ability to read the defense, create space and finish under pressure makes him an ideal quarterback in this format. 

In last year’s Championship Series, Nolting recorded 14 goals and nine assists. But it wasn’t just the numbers that stood out – it was how he controlled every possession, forcing defenses to play on his terms. He’s a challenge unlike any other, especially for players who aren’t used to playing on the defensive end.

With his larger-than-life stature, Nolting has the strength to overpower smaller defenders and the agility to outmaneuver bigger ones. His ability to absorb contact and still get his shot off cleanly is unmatched. Whether he’s operating from X, dodging from the wing or attacking straight down the alley, Nolting can score or facilitate from any angle. His diverse skill set makes it hard for defenses to predict his next move.

It’s not just his size and skill, however. Nolting’s lacrosse IQ also is off the charts. Even when defenses collapse on him, he finds the open man with pinpoint passes, making it nearly impossible to double-team him effectively.

The Waterdogs’ strategy in last year’s title game essentially dared Nolting to score. The logic was sound: take away his playmaking and force him into isolation. But Nolting made them pay, scoring seemingly at will and keeping the defense on its heels. That game served as a masterclass in exploiting 1-on-1 matchups and a warning to future opponents: leaving Nolting unchecked is a recipe for disaster.

​​The challenge ahead: Containing Nolting in 2025

Stopping Nolting 1-on-1 in Sixes lacrosse may be a pipe dream. Double-teams often lead to easy scoring opportunities, while single coverage has proven ineffective against his blend of power and finesse. To have any chance of containing him, defenses need to focus on disrupting his rhythm early and applying pressure before he even gets the ball.

Of course, denying Nolting touches is easier said than done. Once he has possession, defenders must work to force him into less favorable angles, as Nolting’s lethal scoring ability diminishes slightly when he’s pushed away from his preferred spots. 

Additionally, playing the long game by rotating fresh defenders and making him expend extra energy off the ball could wear him down and yield dividends late in games. Even with these adjustments, containing Nolting may be the biggest challenge for Cannons opponents in the Championship Series. 

As the 2025 Lexus Championship Series nears, all eyes will be on Nolting to see if he can replicate his dominant performance from last year. With rule changes aimed at increasing tempo and scoring opportunities, Nolting’s role as a primary ball-handler and scorer becomes even more critical. For defenses, the challenge remains daunting: find a way to slow down one of the most dynamic players in the game, or prepare to be added to his highlight reel.