defending a cutter

[ktbspa]

if you're playing zone defense (or even man) and you're defendeing a cutter, where is the best place to be in relation to the cutter? Between the cutter and the person with the ball (in front of the cutter), between the cutter and the goal (behind the cutter), or at the side of the cutter (trailing the cutter)

[HdGLaxWarrior]

Yell "cutter" so his presence is known. You want to be in a spot where you can check his stick if they try to pass it to him.

[laxkay841]

You need to be able to see ball AND girl, you also need to be aware of the other players around you.

So if your girl is standing around the 8 looking to cut, you need to see her, and also where the ball is at the moment, be sure you are not flat footed. Whatever way is most comfortable for you that allows you to see where the ball is and where your girl is going. I usually have my hips lined up with the hers, but I try to stay postioned slightly in between the girl and the goal (so that heaven forbid, she gets the ball and takes off, she's not getting anywhere near that goal without going through me and I can control where she goes).

While the cutter is running you should be right with her, perhaps even a bit in front of her (in order for possible interception, to prevent the pass from being made at all, if pass is made to prevent going straight to goal).

I'm sure there are other people on here who can elaborate and do a much better job at explaining this than I can, but its a start. Please feel free to correct me as well, haha.

[ktbspa]

thanks that helps. I also have yet another question: How much do you actually need to "give" with the ball when catching? During winter break i practiced catching and throwing against a wall and it really felt like it helped me improve. But other teammates still tell me i need to "give" more with the ball.

So, then, when i consciously think about "giving" i get so concerned about making sure to "give" and not to "swat" that I end up dropping the ball more than i do when i don't think about "giving." I guess i'm just so unused to "giving" with the ball that i'm worried it will fall out if i do "give."
Also, when i watch other players catch (even on tv) it doesn't really look as though they are "giving" with the ball - i don't see them bring back the cross before beginning to cradle.

So how much do you really need to "give" when catching a pass (in a stationary position and on the run) - This might be too much to ask, but if possible exact measurements would be helpful (i.e. approximately how many inches/centimeters back should your cross move after making initial contact with the ball)?

[jaxlax5]

well you dont want to give to much. its all depends on how fast the ball comes. if its a fast pass you want to give more but dont let it be to paralle with the ground or it will fall out so always make sure teh sticks on a slant. if its not a hard pass you dont have to give with it as much. (ill try to figure out the measurements for you)

it probably doesnt look like they are giving when you see people catch the ball becuase they cradle as soon as the ball hits the stick. (so the ball is coming at them and while its going into their stick they give with it and move the top of their stick back becuase if you didnt it would just hit your net and bounce off. then when the balls in the stick they go straight into cradling.) its like one action. plus they do it really fast.

have you ever heard of quick sticks? it really helps with learning how to "give".

[laxkay841]

Try not to over think it. Its a pretty basic concept that once you master, will become second nature.

As far as exact measurements go, I really couldn't say. I think alot of it is the type of stick you have, how that specific pocket is, and also personal style of play so measurements would vary...but maybe not.

A great way to learn to give is to grab a wall and do some quick sticks. They don't have to be 'quick' if you're focus on your giving, take as long as you need. Just be sure not to cradle and to just give with your stick enough so that the ball stays in.

You've got the right idea of not swatting. That's a prime example of exactly what not to do with catching.

Experienced player's give usually just goes straight into a cradle (does that make sense?). Like if you watch when they catch the ball, it just goes into their crosse and they immediately have it in a cradle, because their give is included in the cradle and is second nature.

[ktbspa]

thanks, both of you. that (giving as part are the cradle) actually makes sense and i guess i hadn't really thought of it in that way. We do do quick sticks as part of our warm ups - i guess i'll try to practice that more often with a wall. thanks

[TiNyLaXeR24]

Hey Jaxlax, are u from NJ?

[laxkay841]

thanks, both of you. that (giving as part are the cradle) actually makes sense and i guess i hadn't really thought of it in that way. We do do quick sticks as part of our warm ups - i guess i'll try to practice that more often with a wall. thanks

You're quite welcome. I'm glad it made sense to you, haha, I wasn't sure if it would make sense to anyone.

Most often when teams do quick sticks in their warm-ups, they are fast. When you are doing them by yourself, try to do a few slow ones if you are having trouble with your give. Once you get the give down, increase the speed of them.

[jaxlax5]

yeah im from nj.
where are you from?

[TiNyLaXeR24]

I'm from Shore Regional. We've played u guys like 3 times in the SCT final..What grade r u in?

[jaxlax5]

im in 10th. what about you

[TiNyLaXeR24]

I'm a senior. Do you know Kari and Erin? They're Juniors, they played on Leading Edge with me like 2 years ago.

[jaxlax5]

yeah i know them

[TiNyLaXeR24]

nicee..I miss playing with them! But I'm sure we will see you guys at the end of the season again!

[jaxlax5]

yeah definatly. when do you guys start practicing?

[TiNyLaXeR24]

I think March 3-4th is the legal date we can start practicing, its only like 35 days away. But I really can't wait. We do our Winter League thing and all, but its not as fun. When do u guys start, and where do u play Winter League?

[jaxlax5]

yeah we start march 3rd. i cant wait either. some of us have been staying after to get ready for the season. our winter league plays at pinelands.

[TiNyLaXeR24]

Yeah we play in Flemington like 1 1/2 hours away..How have u guys been doing?

[jaxlax5]

Yeah pinelands is a far drve too. We've been doing really good, but like you said its really not as fun. How are you guys doing.

[TiNyLaXeR24]

We're doing good im not sure how many games we've won, but we've only lost 2.

[jaxlax5]

yeah i think weve only lost a couple too.

[TiNyLaXeR24]

Nice.. well good luck on the rest of ur Winter Season!! PM me if u wanna talk about anything else!

[jaxlax5]

good luck with your winter season too. yeha pm me if you wanna too. see yuo at the end of the season.

[CTLaxer]

if you're playing zone defense (or even man) and you're defendeing a cutter, where is the best place to be in relation to the cutter? Between the cutter and the person with the ball (in front of the cutter), between the cutter and the goal (behind the cutter), or at the side of the cutter (trailing the cutter)

You ALWAYS (well, except when you're covering at X, in which case you're infront of your goal while they're behind it) want to be between your man and the goal, especially if they're cutting. If you're inbetween them and the ball, you'll get backdoored almost instantly. If you're behind them, you're already beat. If you stick with them and stay between them and the goal you'll be in good position to see her and the ball, as well as make an interception or check as she's catching a feed. And if that doesn't work and she manages to catch the ball while cutting, at the very least you're still between her and the goal and she has to make one more move to get a shot off.

[waynelaxgrl101]

yea, not a real good idea to be between the cutter and the person passing (unless the passer is behind the goal), if you miss the interception (90% of the time, the cutter grabs the ball) your in a real bad position, and the cutter has a good chance of scoring on you.

[ques]

If any of you had gone to the convention there was a session about defending BALL side. I think you need really strong defenders to pull it off but it can work. It made a lot of sense to do it ball side also.

[Newt]

The cutter is Ginger Rogers, you're Fred Astaire. Lead the cutter through the 8. If you start out in a "ball - you - girl" relationship to the player you're guarding, maintain it on the cut.