Checking Techniques for 4th Grade No Contact Summer League

[Drew'sDad]

My son is playing defense in a 4th grade summer league where body checking is not allowed. I have him concentrating on hitting (slap or poke checks) the bottom hand of the attackman when he's cradling two handed and they're running down the field together. I also want to work with him on lifting the attackman's bottom hand with his stick. Is this correct for this type of league or is there a better/more appropriate method?

Thanks in advance for the help.

[picknroll]

Emphasize playing defense with the good body position over stick checks, sort of like basketball. Teach the poke check to the bottom hand while the defender moves his feet. Slap checks are harder to execute on the run and draw more fouls. The typical thing that you'll see with a 4th grader is for them to stand flat footed swinging slap checks at the head of the ball carrier's stick. Either the ball carrier just runs by the defender or he ofter draws a slashing foul. A lift check can be effective also when the ball carrier is stationary and hanging his stick. The poke check should be the primary check, though, in conjunction with fast moving feet. A good drill is to get your team to hold their stick in one hand in a line. Have the last player in the line shuffle down the line poke checking each stick. This teaches poke checking on the move instead of the flat-footed check that you often see. Also stress getting the butt low. Fourth graders want to play defense straight upright. They need to lower their center of gravity and be quick on their feet - just like a football linebacker.

The really hard, but very important, thing for 4th graders to learn is team defense. They lock on their man, even off ball. When playing off ball you need to teach "head on a swivel" so that they are watching both their man and the ball constantly. Also teach that they have responsibility for both their man and the man with the ball. Teach them early what a "slide" is and make sure that every defensive player has the green light to slide. The first responsibility for the defense has to be stopping the ball carrier from getting to the goal. There's nothing worse than watching a 4th grade game and no one slildes when a defender is beat. Someone gets a clear run to the goal for shot. You've got to teach sliding early to 4th graders because they can't pass very well. Make them pass instead of just charging the goal.

Also teach recovery to the defensive player when they get beat. You'll see 4th graders stand in the middle of the field watching the ball carrier after they get beat. They best way to teach recovery at that edge is to just get them to chase the ball carriier that beat them. This will often result in a double team on the ball if someone effectively slides, which can be effective.

Have fun! Fourth grade is a great age.

[Gorillalax7]

I agree with Picknroll. I taught 4th graders without sticks so they understand the body positioning.

[OldPtboBoy]

Agree with all. If you have proper position, you will be able to stick check a ball carrier any way you want. If you have proper position on them you can control their movement. You will know which way they are going to go, or, you can eliminate a route for them. Then you know where they are going, where their stick will be and then decide which checking skills you want to teach.

[Chas]

Good fundamentals are key, especially at that age where impressions are easily made. Teach him correct positioning and communication with other defense. Avoid any crazy baller style checks, stick to poking and lifting. Learning to read the offense is very important to.

Ground ball recovery is also a main skill.