Defense - What kind of player?

Before a player learns to play defense with his stick, he must play it with his feet, his head and his heart. Throw into his mix some controlled aggression and an ability to communicate (listen, as well as talk) with his teammates. Then a player will have the elements and tools that will help build the individual defenseman.

Perhaps the most important thing to look for in an individual is good footwork; meaning his agility, and the ability to react (speed is good too). Good footwork will keep the defender between the ball and your goal whenever his man controls the ball. A certain amount of lacrosse defense will always be a defender playing the man with the ball in a one on one type of situation. Team defense is the ultimate goal, but a lot of one on one practice will help prepare the player both physically and mentally for the task of keeping the ball out of our goal.

When the defender does use his stick, to quote the great Bob Scott, he needs to use it "as a foil, not a bludgeon." A good defenseman bothers the attacker who has the ball with poke checks and slaps, but never gives up position by lunging or trying too hard to take the ball away. He is the kind of player who bothers the man he is playing either to the point where that player makes a mistake or until he gives it up to another, because he doesn't like being ragged on so much. Never let the attacker feel like he wants to take the "rock" one on one to the "cooker" because he sees he's got a "fish" playing him.

As a defender, let the attacker know that you are serious about protecting our goal. If you let him think you are going to try to take the ball from him, challenge him that way, he will be at an advantage. He knows that if he waits, you will make a mistake. If, on the other hand, you let him come to you, you can dictate where the confrontation takes place, you decide (with a little help from the goalie) how far in he can come. You can gain an edge by how you think about defense.

Patience is a crucial element to playing individual defense. If the defender does not make the first move it becomes much more difficult for an attacker to beat him one on one. Also, patience allows the defender to be under control and not commit personal fouls which put your team a man down for a minute. This is more crucial than ever now that the rules have been changed so that there is no penalty release when you get the ball to your offense. Either the full one minute is served or the other side has scored a goal before the sides are even up again.

Keeping penalties to a minimum is crucial to success for both individual as well as team defense. Do not ignore penalties in practice. Help them become aware of what things are fouls. Just as importantly, structure practice so that they understand the consequences of committing penalties. Penalize the player in practice with things like, “if you get a penalty, you run a 400 yd. sprint right now and the team plays without you for the time you are gone.”

"Protect the goal" is something to be taught until it becomes instinct. Say it to your team a thousand times. It is the heart of individual as well as team defense. For an individual this can be just getting to the "hole" (the danger area directly in front of the goal) and taking a position square to the ball. Often it is getting a push on a shooter's arm as he shoots, which will take enough speed off the shot to where the goalie can handle it. Protecting the goal is always keeping the body between the man with the ball and the goal.

A defenseman has to want to help his goalie make saves. Every time your goalie makes a save and controls the ball, the team is creating a very powerful and instant switch in momentum. The other side is frustrated by the fact that they had an opportunity to score, but could not. You are not only uplifted by their despair, but now you have the ball. If your goalie and defensemen can handle the ball, you are instantly on offense. The quicker a team can turn a defensive stand into offensive pressure, the more successful it will be.

When your players buy into your defensive team concept, it is important to encourage and reward them individually. For example: If and when people come and tell your goalie how wonderful he is, don't forget to praise the individuals who helped him make all those saves.

Size is a good quality for a defenseman to have, but a defender who plays smart can certainly make up for a lack of size. A huge defender can make stick checks without giving up good foot position, but if he lunges trying to make a big check cause he's a big guy and finishes the play looking at the numbers on the BACK of the attacker's jersey as he shoots on your goalie, he is not helping your team no matter how scary he may look.

If your defenders like to hit, the attacker who shoots will always pay for the shot he takes by being knocked down. "Shooter goes down" should be one of your battle cries. If your longsticks love contact, whenever there is a loose ball on the ground in the crease area all attackers will be on their butts at least 5 yards out and the goalie will be making an outlet pass to start a fast break going the other way. Also, double-teaming is easier for them to learn.

If they don't like to hit, fear not. Some hitting is necessary, but lacrosse tends to be more like basketball with an occasional collision than it is like football or rugby. It is certainly possible to teach "finesse hitting," if you will. It is WHEN you pop somebody, not how hard you hit him that makes the difference for your team.

Defensemen need to have good stick work. If all three defensemen can catch and throw, the team will never have any trouble clearing the ball from the defensive half of the field because, with the goalie, you have one extra player. No team will be able to dictate what you do by devising a ride that only leaves the one long stick open that cannot catch and throw very well while blanket-covering everyone else. Whenever there is an opportunity or a lull in practice for the long sticks, have them play catch with each other from distances of 20, 30, or even 40 yards apart. Also, there is nothing wrong with a defenseman who can use both his left and right hand to catch and throw and we obviously encourage it.