defense question. this has been annoying me forever

[mercenary]

[deleted]. what [...] do i do if the attackman is just standing there walking along with the ball and not really doing anything? am i supposed to be [not nice to] him? or what? anyway, i saw a thread before about wight and size and whatever. im 15, 140lbs and 5'7. is that good for a defenseman? what acn improve on, wieght or height? if it helps i play JV and im in 10th grade. i really appreciate everyone who takes the time to read this and answer me, even if ive got stupid questions. thanks

[sabreace]

I'd just beat up his bottom hand, while making sure not to give him any advantage by lunging or giving up too much space on one side. Essentially, regardless of whether you hit or not, keep good body positioning.

[mercenary]

ok, so stay on his bottom hand. should i go for his stick?

[cord13]

just dont over commit. and keep your body between him and the goal.

[Enjoi LAX]

Yup just give him at few checks to remind him that he can't just stroll around with the ball. I find that they will walk in hopes of you lunging and over committing so they can beat you with one quick move to the goal. So just don't over commit but don't let him walk around the field with the ball untouched.

[laxnd8]

as an attackman, I always want the defensemen to do nothing and let me scan the field, so just go after him but dont commit, get after his hands too just enough to bother him

[mercenary]

what about a slap check or something. my coach said something about whacking him in the skin between his pads...

[ntlax558]

ya well if hes doing to annoy you start hacking at his arms, but legally if that makes any sense
but otherwise ya make sure your positioning is perfect and keep to the poke because hes probably trying to look for an opportunity to drive

[mercenary]

yeah they walk along like theyre the best player on the field. it got me angry because when a kid was doing that i checked him hard in the arm and he yelled, "calm down bro" and it was a perfectly legal check. i dont throw crazy checks, im very technical with my checks. so legally destroy his arms... i know what you mean.

[Eclipse]

If you take away his hands, your gonna take away a majority of what he can do.

As said above, as an attackmen, the absolute best thing a defender can do is let me carry the ball and not pressure me. It allows me to search the field without anyone defending me basically.

Work the bottom hand, if he still continues to walk jog around with the ball, give him a good push, take the ball away. I don't think many attackmen are going to walk around with the ball after a little pressure though, so once you get him moving, just do your thing.

[CSlax06]

Stay light on your feet, dont ever commit on going one way, just keep turning him to the outside and beat the snot out of his bottom hand. Just annoy him, make him pass it, if he doesnt have the ball is he gonna' score? If hes playing way out on top, let him! Hes not doing anything, chances are hes going to try and smoke you, force a rotation and get a goal.

[Lax4life528]

im 15, 140lbs and 5'7. is that good for a defenseman? what can improve on, weight or height?

I don't think you can do much on improving your height.

[lax-crazy]

just walk up and push him hahaha just walk up to him in an athletic stance, the just administer a beating. Seriously thought stick checks are nice, but if he is standing there a nice strong shove can always do wonders.

It also helps to never be nice to attackmen, remember they want to beat you.

[laxbeachteach]

if hes behind the goal harass the hell outta him, keep your stick up in his face so he cant scan the field. and time ur lift or poke check for when he panics and tries to dump the ball. behind the cage is the best time harass him because he cant score from x and the slide will usually come before he gets a shot off unlike from up top.

[LAXattackman#32]

As an attackmen let me say that there is personally nothing more annoying than when the defender keeps constant checks coming to my bottom hand.
of course make sure this is under control though.

[FlucoDpole]

Poke check to his stick and hands-repeat until he passes or drives in.
Some of this depends on your skill level vs his. If you think you can take him in close,do it,and do it quickly before he can react. If he's a better dodger than you are at playing pole, keep your distance,keep poking and force him to drive in to where you have the support of your zone or a teammate to help double him.
The rest of it depends on where he is located and what your team d strategy is. If he's far out of position and not a threat,aggressively chasing him all over the field may not be the best approach if it opens a huge hole in your team defense.
If he's behind the goal at X,inside the box,or otherwise a shooting threat then you should pressure him hardcore.

[tomtom]

Make him look at you. if he focuses on you then he's not focused on the rest of his team and the situation, and his logic will become "what can i do to get this defenseman to stop beating up my arm!" instead of looking to a feed or setting a dodge. I play guys on the wing a lot and if they do this I just throw a bunch of pokes without much oomph behind them, but getting stick most the time (keep the ref from getting on your case), then when they get complacent with that, a few slaps will either jarr their attention back to you or up your takeaway count.

And if they're just jogging around looking for a feed or pass, I forego the checks and just keep my head under their bottom hand. It keeps me from overcommiting on a slap/wrap, and makes a good pass more difficult.