What should I know?

[cooldevil938]

Im playing at high school now but im going to go back and help coach my old middle school on my off days. What should i know to help coach kids in the 6th to 8th grade range. Im mostly going to be coaching defense.

[GeorgiaMiddie2]

watch their hips, play d with yuor feet and hands, poke is the most effective check, dont lunge, you dont have to always get the ball just keep him away from the goal, how to slide... basically, just reinforce the fundamentals.

[LaxRef]

Know the rules and tell them the important ones.

Make sure they know how to poke check, and make it clear that pokes are good because you almost never get called for a slash when poking.

Teach them to play defense with their feet (maybe do some drills where they don't even have their stick, although you need to make sure they know they can't play without a stick).

Make sure you know what your team's man-down defense is.

Teach them to keep their hands together so they don't get called for cross-checks and cross-check holds.

Make sure they keep their mouths shut when near the officials. Duct tape may be useful.

[Petem0ss]

Good suggestions so far. I'd add to make sure that they understand that when a player gets beat on D, everyone else on D has to move (whatever slide package you teach determines who moves where).

[faacjb]

The Prime Directive is : PREVENT THE SHOT
Stealing the ball is glamorous, but risky. If you deny them the opportunity to shoot, they will get frustrated, do something stupid, and loose the ball. Defense is about discipline.