Basic Defensive Teaching Points

 

The following guidelines are from the "Defenseman's Bible," courtesy of The USILA Coaches Kit and amended for the Bulldogs Lacrosse program …

 

1. Always be in athletic position, bending at the knees, and keep body and feet moving.

 

2. Keep stick on stick side of the offensive player and be front side (between the ball and your man) … “feel him”!

 

3. Use your field sense to identify the areas that are most advantageous for checks to be thrown. Do not create offense. This means to play under control and use sound fundamentals in body and stick positioning.

 

4. Keep stick in front of you not side by side, equal, or above the hips. Do not allow offensive player to get into your hips. Use the length of your stick to create distance.

 

5. Do not telegraph the check. Quick check and return stick to original position.

 

6. Do not overcheck. The quality of checks is more important than the quantity of checks.

 

7. Keep the check under control. The force and power come from your forearms and wrist. A long delivery time will allow the offensive player to react and dodge away or create a foul by the exaggerated motion. Hard slap checks are not as effective as poke and lift checks.

 

8. Listen to your goalie, he’ll tell you where the ball is; particularly on hold and check calls.

 

9. When playing off-ball defense, maintain a good defensive triangle position: man-back-lane. Play slightly to the ball side so you gain a step as he cuts toward the ball. If he cuts away from the ball, the pass must go over your head, which leaves you in good position to intercept or check his stick. Stand in a position where you can use your peripheral vision to slide, double-team, or step to your man as he receives a pass.

 

10. Constant communication and conversation is essential to individual and team success. Calls are made by the goalie to move players into correct positions. They are also made by individual players backing up the on-ball defender. This includes the pick: go, switch, and “bingo”. The examples of the goalie calls would be ball position, hold, and check calls.

 

11. Be physical when sliding with the body, stay square to your opponent, and prevent further progress toward the goal by sliding to a "spot" where the man going vs sliding directly to the man. Run into the ball carrier, don’t try to “kill him”, and above all else keep your hands and stick down (even in the follow through), and don’t hit him in the neck-head area!

 

12. If your opponent successfully dodges you, recover by chasing and trailing the back elbow to be in position to throw a check when he attempts to pass, feed, or shoot.

 

13. After your opponent passes the ball, recover by stepping away from him to the inside and opening up to the ball into your defensive triangle position. DO NOT STEP TOWARDS THE BALL. This allows you to be in a help slide position with your stick in the passing lane. Remember to always look or open up in the direction of the thrown pass; do not turn your back on the ball or your man.

 

14. If the ball is out front, you should be positioned above the goal line extended; if the ball is behind, drop lower to the crease area.

 

15. Use communication and conversation to avoid switches when possible. Switching may create a potential mismatch. Always maintain position between your man and the goal; this will prevent the pick-and-roll play.

 

16. When the ball is loose in the crease area, communicate ball down, check sticks and bodies to allow the extra defensive player (goalie) to play the loose ball or rebound.

 

17. When the defensive team has gained possession, become active in the clearing game by breaking out to the corners or getting up the field. Know our clearing patterns and get to your designated spots in the clearing game.

 

The defensive principles outlined here focus on individual, group, and team play. These are basic and essential principles for all players, regardless of position. Defensive excellence in lacrosse relies on playing with your head, legs, and heart. Mastering these basic techniques will help develop outstanding defensive players.