Defense right?

[jlarue]

Friends, adults, and coaches have told me over and over again that I should play lacrosse. I'm a 6-3 eighth grader, about 180 lbs. Coaches say that palying defense is right for me, especially with a 6-foot stick. Is that size good or should I play another position?

If defense is right, what tips are good?


john

[Lax4life528]

You definitely have the build for defense, the question is, how is your lateral agility and speed. For D-tips, see http://www.lacrosseforums.com/showthread.php?t=8933

[jlarue]

I play basketball at a high-level with high school upper classmen where the ball is being pushed constantly. I have good lateral speed from basketball in defensive slides. So I would say I have good speed.

thanks for the tips.

john

[sammyduelist]

Jesus, 6-3 in 8th grade? You'll definitely be able to dominate as a defender, but at that age level, being your size, there probrably isn't a position you wouldn't be able to dominate at. However, as you get into high school and other kids start to grow, competition will get harder.
You definitely have the size to play, and as for tips, look in out training forum for the sticky about D tips.
Also just watch a few videos on youtube to see how lacrosse is played to get an idea of how it's played.

[mdlaxman]

haha seriously you could own any position, play attack and use your size to run through defenders. then once everyone else catches up to you in size switch to defense lol

[jlarue]

I've watched a few defensive videos already. I live in Syracuse- Lacrosse Capital of the World, haha. I might go to their next home game. I'll go to enjoy it, but more importantly, watch the defenders-- they have some great ones. 2-0 vs. Virginia!

[jlarue]

my middle school has the 2-best attackmen in the district, a class AA district. we're 15 minutes from natioanlly ranked #5Jamesville-Dewitt and 15 minutes away from #3 West genesee. I think i should play defense, so I can get the basics down, so I can play good in high school. I'm also one of the top basketball players in my district with 700 kids per class. Hopefully I can excell in one of these.


john

[mdlaxman]

but then fast break when you take away the ball and sprint downfield and score with your dpole

[jlarue]

as a defensive player, where can i move on the field?


john

[mdlaxman]

anywhere. you can go to half field anytime but then a middie needs to hang back on the defensive end to let you run across to the offensive end. gotta keep 3 guys on the defensive end + the goalie

[jlarue]

a 6-3 kid using a 6-foot stick, swinging through. watch out. haha.

i think ont he end of the stick it should say "DUCK!"

john

[navylax161]

is this your first season? if so play a lot of wallball and get stickwork down.
also, this site has a few good videos with john gagliardi that really helped me out.http://www.sportskool.com/sports/lacrosse look at the video player on insidelacrosse.com too. theres a ton of instructional stuff on there.

[njone42]

all that was said above and soke up as much lax as you can. watch it on tv. go to su games west genie games, and stuff like that will really help you out

[stegmakk]

What do you prefer? You could be a beast at midfield.
Size shouldn't matter. What should matter is your speed/endurance/stickwork/mindset. Can you dodge, and shoot, or do you prefer to play defense?
Look at Hopkins' roster. Their M and D are all interchangeable when looking at size http://hopkinssports.cstv.com/sports/m-lacros/mtt/jhop-m-lacros-mtt.html