Play Solid Men's Lacrosse Defense

"Defense wins championships" is the old adage that many people believe to be true in regards to athletics. Lacrosse is a sport in which offense is as important as defense. This article will help lacrosse players (male) to learn the basics, and some advanced techniques of defense.

Steps

  1. Keep your stick on your man. If you're playing close defense (long-pole) covering an attack man and the ball is in the offensive end of the field, keep your stick on the attack man to prevent the goalie or defender from the opposing team from "cheapening it", or launching the ball down field to your defensive in hopes that one of the three attack men will gain possession. Also, if an opponent is dodging against you, keeping your stick on him will prevent him from bringing the stick in front of his body, forcing him to roll dodge.
  2. Communicate - talking to your fellow teammates makes defense much easier. SOUND TOUGH! Talking about slides and the current situation makes it easier for the defense to react to what the offense is doing. Remember that if your guys are facing their man, they need to know what's going on behind them. Yelling out to your teammates not only makes defense easier, but a loud defense can intimidate an offense. If you watch ANY lacrosse game, the team that communicates louder on both sides of the ball wins the game. In practice, we call bad communication, "keeping it a secret". If you're "keeping a secret" by not talking on the field, your team-mates will not know how to react or how to help you.
  3. Dodge from up top: If an opposing midfielder is carrying the ball at the point (area opposite the goal outside the restraining box) and looks like he is doing to dodge, try to channel him down one alley on the field. In the early goings of a game, it is pretty easy to see what hand is dominant for each opposing player. Naturally, take the opponent who is dodging against you to his weak hand. If he appears to be a right-hander, deliberately stand on the right side of his body, which will force him to take the ball in his left hand, unless he wants to run right at you and get the ball taken away. As the man takes the ball down in his left hand, push him on his hip and force him to keep going down the alley in his left. If he rolls back, you can drop a solid slap-check on his bottom hand which will hopefully jar the ball loose.
  4. Dodge from the wing: If an opposing midfielder or attackman is looking to dodge from the wing (area adjacent to goal along Goal Line Extended) your primary objective is to not let him get Top-side (imagine a long line extending from both goal posts at a 45 degree angle heading toward the sideline. the area in front of the goal between these two imaginary lines is an ideal spot to shoot from) If an attack man or middle tries to dodge from the wing and go top side, push him back down underneath toward the goal, because help will be on its way from crease and it will be an easier slide for your fellow defenders to help you if you get beat.
  5. Dodge from X: If an opposing player tries to dodge from X (area behind net) channel him to whichever hand you desire, because most players at X will be very good in both hands. Try to picture the goal line drawn inside the net extended all the way to the sidelines. Your objective as a defender at X is to keep the opposing player behind this line and force him to throw a pass, take a weak shot, or dodge right into an incoming defender on his way to help you. Best case scenario, the opposing player will dodge and you will take the ball away, give it to your goalie, and start the Clear.
  6. Use good foot placement: If the attack man is walking side to side don't cross your feet try shuffling it will lower the chances of you falling and it will make it easier to catch up to your opponent if he beats your.And if beat push off with the inside of your feet not from the outside this will also lower the chance of injury and falling.

Tips

  • Practice scooping up ground balls, it is very important on defense.
  • MOST IMPORTANTLY!!!!! There are many things a simple article cannot teach you, you must play the game to learn the game. You will learn everything this article says and much, much, MUCH more from actual game experience.
  • If you manage to strip a man of the ball, be sure to win the ground ball. Winning the groundball means the potential of getting the ball to your offensive end which is where goals are scored. If a ball goes down on the ground, you MUST do everything in your power to win possession. At the end of most games, whichever team wins the groundball statistic will usually be the victor. Once you scoop, roll away from pressure and release the easiest pass to the closest open man. Short, easy passes win games.
  • Keep your head on a swivel (check where your man is, check ball, check man, check ball, two seconds on your man, one second on the ball, always keeping your stick on your man's chest.)
  • Be willing to help your teammate. if he gets beat, slide to where the offensive player is going to end up, not where he is currently. Lead with your stick, and finish with a body check on every slide.
  • Keep your stick in the air, in passing lanes to prevent teams from passing the ball through your defense. If an offense can feed the ball through you, your defense is a sitting duck.
  • The area in front of the goal is called the "crease", this is the most important area to protect. If an opponent enters your defense's crease, he must be put on his back, or punished in some aspect.
  • Body positioning is key, but checks are also a big part of defense. The Poke Check is the safest check to throw. This involves simply keeping your bottom hand on the end of your stick, and extending your bottom hand toward the opposing player in a poking motion, but much firmer. Try to throw the poke check on the opposing player's bottom hand (if he is two-hand cradling).
  • Remember these checks are very safe for the beginner and advanced players alike, but Take-away checks are for the advanced player. Take away checks involve the Overhead check,and the ding-dong. With these checks you are getting yourself out of position, and should not throw them unless you have lots of practice.
  • DON'T GIVE UP BODY POSITION FOR A STICK CHECK. your body is the first thing you want to use to stop the attack men so don't try go for new checks that will leave your attacker space, close him down and put body pressure on him.
  • Another check that is super effective is the poke-and-lift. Just as it sounds , you poke then lift. Poke check right below their bottom glove and lift up. It tips their stick and knocks the ball out nearly every time it is carried out successfully. It is the hardest check to learn, and the hardest to use in a game. To be good at the poke-and-lift takes lots of practice and requires lots of focus while performing it.
  • Always keep your stick upfield, meaning toward your opponents goal.
  • Another check is the slap check. This is basically self- to get a hard shot off without him altering the motion.

Warnings

  • Do not get discouraged if defense is hard for you at first, and remember that it will take some time to build confidence in your defensive ability.
  • Wear proper equipment (helmet, gloves, shoulder pads, elbow pads, cup, spikes, stick.)

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  • www.laxpower.com

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