Any time your team does not have the ball, you are on defense. Yes attackmen, this means you are also defenders!
Three defensive areas we’ll cover this week:
1) Using the lines on the field as 2nd defenders (i.e. sidelines, end lines and creases)
2) Using your eyes to play defense
3) Using your feet to play defense
USING LINES AS A 2ND DEFENDER
Any time a ball carrier is near the sideline, end line or crease, it is imperative that you use your body position and legal checks to force a player to essentially have no place to go. I’ve seen many players “try too hard” to force players out of bounds and end up looking silly going for the big hit. All you need to do is position yourself so that the ball carrier has nowhere else to go but towards the “line.” Maintain your position and footwork and the rest will take care of itself.
USING YOUR EYES TO PLAY DEFENSE
Here we get into the most common defensive error: chasing stick or watching a player’s stick. Speaking of someone making you look silly! If you concentrate on taking the ball away or throwing that nasty stick check, you can definitely look foolish! The goal of playing solid defense is to stay between the ball carrier and the goal and forcing them to go where YOU want them to. It’s really as simple as that. Use your eyes to track a player, so you can ensure you’re always between them and the goal. What you should focus on is the player’s hips; generally speaking, where their jersey meets their shorts. This part of the body moves the least throughout a dodge or an attempt to get to the goal. If you focus on the “hip area,” you will absolutely have a much better chance of sticking with the player you’re guarding.
USING YOUR FEET TO PLAY DEFENSE
Along with body position and using your eyes on defense, the proper footwork ties it all together. Playing defense in lacrosse is like a combination of offensive lineman, defensive back and linebacker in football. Using solid approach, retreat, back-pedal, and shuffle steps, you will ensure that your feet stay under you and you can react to whatever the ball carrier is doing. If you are bringing your heels together or crossing your feet, chances are that you will be vulnerable to quick, shifty movements. Keep your feet under you and “sit” in your good defensive position (like you’re sitting on the edge of a chair).
Study the best defenders in the game. Watch their eyes, feet and how they “channel” players where they want them to go.
Once again, please feel free to submit questions to @lisislaxn on Twitter.
Take Care!
Coach Lisi
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