Tips for good defense

[cbhslacrossemid]

Although I do not play defense as a set position any more i do have some tips for newer starting out players. Alot of new defensive players ethier are hesitant to apporch an offisive player or they attempt to lay huge body cheack on them. These are both bad habits to start. The best thing to do (from my experince and from what i have learned from coaches) is to use ur stick to ur advantage. When an offensive player comes up keep him out at the length of ur stick. Keep him at that distance until he come closer then u can use ur body to push him back to were he was. the poinit is to keep him from gettin to were he wants to go.

[D4lax]

i used to always try to lay these checks on people and 90% of the time id miss altogether

[HdGLaxWarrior]

Beginner players think defense it easy, but its not. You always want to be looking at your guy 75% of the time. Beginner players ballwatch too much. Listen to your goalie! He shouts out the ball postions, tells people they have gone out too far and need to comeback. Beginner players hardly ever listen to the goalie, the goalie says very basic stuff, so they act like its nothing, but it is a very good habit. Hope that helped, and keep suggestions coming.

[PokeChecksALot]

When in serious doubt, always fall back to the hole. Especially do this if there's a struggle for a gb at the midfiled line and it involves the other 2 poles. Footwork and speed, these are crucial. Also, once you commit to a double team, finish it off strong.

[stegmakk]

Learn to contain without a stick to start...sounds silly yes...but you concentrate on footwork more and learn to not rely on crazy checks...
Then add the pole...USE it...it is long for a reason...leep the attackman away...
poke-slap-poke-lift-poke (not in that order but in that frequency...Pokes should be at least 50% of all checks you throw...probably more if you ask spenny)

[D4lax]

poke at the gut and hip

[Twitch]

I just started to play. I soon learned that it was more effective to throw a good check with my stick then try to lay him out. Just remember to keep your hand on the bottom of your stick, if you don't what is the point of having a long pole?

[bigDman]

stay between your man and the ball is the best tip ever and constantily poke and check the attack man it pisses them off

[Dan]

my teammates just wait forever to check. i broke my hand as soon as i switched to d, but i know how, even though i haven't played it in a spring game. there was this pretty good kid from one of the better high schools in utah, plays varsity, against me in winter league. i was playing with somebody elses stick, so i couldn't handle the ball or throw because i hated the pocket so bad. i rocked the kid, well, kind of, pretty much every time. he couldn't get by me. he'd be ten feet away, and i'd just poke the pole out at him. then, he'd come in close and i'd poke him to death, and then he'd get too close and then he'd pass it. couldn't get by me. felt great. i play better on turf. so yeah, just apply pressure, play body when they're in too close. perfect.

[stegmakk]

watch his jock...he can fake head, shoulders, feet...but he aint going anywhere without his junk...
thats what coach said...but his hips are key to where he is going...i havent met anyone who could swivel hips to left and go right...it just cant happen

[Snuffilufigas22]

Always keep your feet moving.

[Twitch]

I once knew a kid who could throw a mighty tight fake with his hips, so you couldn't tell where he was going. You'd just have to move your feet and use your pole.

[stegmakk]

I'd like to see that...I am not talking about faking left then going right...his hips will end up turning right to run right...
besides it isnt set in stone...ya cant just look at his hips the whole game...then you'd have issues :)
just a tip for guarding guys that do alot of upper body head and or shoulder fakes...they get all flashy doing all of these convulsions but my point was not to get caught up in it...

[lax1234]

don't cross your feet because when you do that the man can just burn past you. watch your mans stomach like snuffilufigas22 said, because there stomach always moves the way there going so you don't get faked by the body. Thrwow checks whenever you can.

[LAX_Man021]

poke and lift thats what i say

[NJLax 50]

Give them the length of the pole and dont over commit until its completely necessisary and on the clear always look to pass it before running with it or bombing it down the field.

[oregon D]

Do not be flat footed, position your self in a way where you can shut off the side he wants to go....choose a side and make him go that way, it is a defensive victory if you make him go through x.

[dpolehh21]

Shuffle always. Listen to your goalie and let him watch the ball. Play as a unit. Check at the palms and dont try to level someone unless your absolutely sure you'll hit.

[LAX_Man021]

feet first stick second ad dont go throwing crazy slap checks around either, there useless unless u know its going to hit the ball out and be patient