Midfield Defense

[laxkid891]

I have always pondered one question about this, when playing midfield defense and you have your hands spread on the shaft to push the guy off, i thought that was crosschecking? Anyways, when you use this defense of pushing him away should you have your hands spread with one hand on the butt end and the other a couple inches up the shaft. OR, should u have them spread a couple inches apart in the center? Another thing, i am a relatively small kid, when going against bigger guys, i need to get low and under them correct? Any advice on that as well is appreciated.

Thanks Guys

[creeklaxmid]

I always have my hands together on the bottom of the stick so i can push off and lay quick slap and poke checks. But if i really need to play good body d, i have them together in the center

[faceofflax15]

Mine are spread relatively to the middle of the shaft, sometimes my hands are together towards the bottom, so I can throw a behind the back wrap.

[LiquidMercury16]

When I used to play Dmid I'd keep them full spread. Just have to make sure you don't hit them with shaft because you'll get called for CC. I basically use one or the other hand to push them off. I prefer the spread because it helps you keep your shoulders squared up to the guy and I seem to have a wider defensive area than if I were to keep them in the middle.

[stegmakk]

keeping your hands spread can draw a crosscheck pretty easily...
when i play with a shortie i try to know if i am strong enough to push the guy out or to just hold position...
if you are strong enough to push him out (or he is smaller), I hold my hands together close to the end as creek said so you can push and quick hit with a poke/slap...
if the guy is bigger than me so that i cant push him out, ill get my hands together and square and push/hold my position...
usually you do want to get under...i prefer to get around the hip area...becasue he can shake juke and dip his top half, but where the hips go, the body goes...

[LiquidMercury16]

If I'm spreading hands I usually only punch out with my bottom hand and trail with my top hand just so that way it is obvious that there is no stick contact and have very rarely gotten called for CC. Definitely keep the bottom hand on his hip and you can mess with his balance. Pop him in the hip a couple times than when he tries to switch hands get a lift on him.