In the PLL, some of the most creative thinking comes from inside the box.

Indoor lacrosse players have always added a unique element to the field game, using skills that come from playing in tight spaces and having less time to make plays happen.

Chaos is putting that theory to the test with a box-heavy roster heading into the Championship Series.

“There's no question that just from a general statement standpoint, they're more skilled,” said Chaos head coach Andy Towers. “I think that they're used to shooting on smaller goals, they're used to handling passes with less distance to adjust to a bad pass. You know they're catching passes with tighter heads. I just think that they're used to playing the two-man game. They're used to catching crossbody cuts. They're used to shooting with deception. They might be as universally two-handed as some of the American guys. But they're second-handed behind the back, which in a lot of respects makes them even more unpredictable and dangerous.”

Curtis Dickson has made a name for himself in the indoor circuit, starring in the NLL since 2012 and appearing in the last three Mann Cups, the oldest lacrosse championship trophy for box lacrosse in Canada.

He’s not used to so much time off, but he feels like it’s made him sharper to make the transition.

“Anyone who plays both knows it’s two different games,” he said. “Shooting at the net is the same, but every other dynamic is different. I always find going indoor to outdoor is a little easier than going outdoor to indoor, then things tighten up.”

Goalies have it a little different.

They can’t play wall ball to prepare for a return like other players, so Dillon Ward has had to get creative.

Luckily, he’s made this transition a time or two.

“It’s pretty normal now,” said Ward. “I was talking to Josh Byrne the other day and I compared it to riding a bike. It’s a skillset I’ve built over a number of years. When box season ends and field season starts it’s tough at first, but a couple sessions and it feels back to normal again.”

There are some obvious advantages to going from indoors to the field, such as working in tight spaces, along with adjustments such as going from shooting to one hand to being expected to use both.

Goalies have a wider margin of changes.

“You need to get used to getting hit with the ball again without equipment on,” said Ward. “You never enjoy it, but you have to get used to it. In box I’m trying to block the ball but in the field game, I have my stick back up by my ear and I’m trying to catch it.”

For Canadians, the transition is often from the indoor game to field, but American lacrosse players traditionally grow up with the outdoor version before going indoors.

That’s what Connor Fields did, debuting in the NLL in 2018 following recovery from a knee injury, and for just the second time in his career, he’ll take it back outdoors following a box lacrosse season.

“The main adjustment is going against long sticks again,” he said. “After dealing with the short sticks, it’s such tight spaces. I think it’ll be a nice adjustment to have more room out there. So much more room to make plays.”

Sometimes the simple play is the right play, but when playing against a traditional outdoor team, a little bit of flare can’t hurt. The surprise factor of a behind-the-back shot or a diving shot in front of an indoor player’s arsenal is always an element to watch out for.

“Canadian guys are such crease attackmen who like to play around the net,” said Dickson. “We showcase the abilities we have in indoor lacrosse in tight quarters, but most of us lack using both hands efficiently. But when you’re that close to the net, you can throw a backhand and you see that creativity come out.”

The last time a lot of professional lacrosse players touched a field was indoors, so heading back outside for the toughest competition in the world is going to take some getting used to.

Luckily, there’s a little bit of time to get used to the bigger fields and larger dimensions before the games become real.

“Those first practices will be big,” said Fields. “The indoor game helps with your hands and finishing with a smaller net and bigger goalie. Having defenders draped over you no matter where you go, it’s very physical, there’s not a lot of space.”

Every team has some sort of an indoor presence, but Chaos has built their team to dominate the tight spaces and catch other squads off guard.

It just might get a little bit chaotic.

“They're just naturally team first guys,” said Towers. “They really have a hockey player's mentality and you know it seems like they deflect all the credit to their teammates and they absorb all the blame, you know when things don't go right. Which as a coach, that's exactly the type of player that you want. “