How are you doing on defense? Does an attacker with quick feet blow you by? What does Lacrosse Defender need? Your ability to be effective in the backfield seems to be limiting your playing time.
It is extremely difficult to play defense. Lacrosse is no different from any other sport when it comes to playing defense.
As an example, if you shut down the opposing team, that is what is expected of you. Well done. The downside of making a mistake is that it exposes you to a scoring opportunity for your opponent or worse, to a goal by your opponent.
It can be terribly embarrassing and costly to make a defensive mistake.
With “OneStopLacrosse”, we want to minimize any defensive mistakes you might make.
We are confident you could significantly improve your defensive game if you follow even one of these tips/points.
Get your team to win more games by shutting down your opponent, protecting your goal, and defending your goal.
That’s what really matters, isn’t it? It’s no problem.
Lacrosse Defender Needs:
1. Training and Footwork of Defensemen
Defense is primarily played with the feet by a good defenseman. Poles should be able to get between their offensive opponent and the goal as quickly as possible. Defensemen have several tools at their disposal to accomplish this, but without good footwork, those tools will be useless at best.
Defending one-on-one requires controlling the play and being one step ahead of your opponent at all times by retaining good body positioning. The ability to move your feet effectively is almost essential to staying in front of a skilled opponent. Drop steps, side shuffles, and lateral changes of direction are the best friends of a defenseman.
Concentrate on what will be most helpful to you when training. There is no need to do bicep curls and bench presses here. Your legs should be worked out as much as possible in this situation.
Body Control:
Quickness and body control can be improved by using a speed ladder, and speed and power can be enhanced by plyometrics. It should be a priority to get faster and faster, as well as to be able to play a full game at full capacity.
Always go hard when you train, and work on your leg and cardio conditioning as well. Keeping your feet moving and staying active between sets replicates game situations better.
A great conditioning exercise is to jump rope for 4 sets of 3 minutes each with a break of 1 minute between each set. It is also possible to do sprint-jog intervals for 20 minutes, with sprints of 50 yards followed by jogs of 50 yards.
Stopping six minutes of possession is harder than playing good defense for one minute. You will be able to dominate on the field if you prepare for those hard situations!
By focusing on your legs, you will have strong legs when you need them most. A good defender should have legs that enable them to float like butterflies and sting like concrete bees. Focus on speed and leg power to become a dominant Lacrosse defender. This is a boxing metaphor, but it’s true.
2. Work with Sticks
There is something truly amazing about what some of the best defenders can do with their sticks, whether they are playing one-on-one defense or carrying the ball. Sometimes, the best ball handlers are also the best takeaway guys, and that is no accident.
Defensive players need to keep their sticks under control at all times. Having it in full control allows you to fix any situation when you’re in control. You can only develop these three things through practice if you want to have a great stick.
Practice includes a lot of Wall Ball. Young players fail to take full advantage of the wall’s pass, catch, shot, and ground ball benefits. You’re the only one playing Wall Ball, so if you’re interested in improving yourself, hitting the wall is your best option.
It is important to pass and catch off the wall as you mean it, just as basketball players imagine last-second situations while playing on their driveways. During your workout, visualize situations you want to improve and work up a sweat. You’ll be able to play better.
Because the wall ball builds strength and eye-hand coordination, you’ll also be able to time checks and control your stick better.
3. Know your Lacrosse IQ
It’s easy, fun, and simple. Don’t miss a single game of lacrosse.
Watch your favorite defensive player throughout the game when watching lacrosse on TV. Keep your focus on the best defender, not the ball or the “action”.
- When he defends off-ball, what is his position?
- His dodging opponent moves in a specific way. How does he manipulate it?
- His teammates and he communicate on the field, can you hear them?
- His stick checks look like this. How does he set them up?
- How does he move towards or away from the crease, when he presses out?
- He goes where during clears, where do you think he goes? When it comes to ball control, how comfortable is he?
If you’re watching the player on TV, you should ask yourself all of these questions. Don’t forget to write down all the answers. Be a gamer who knows it all. You can learn more from the best by focusing on one player. You’ll raise your Lacrosse IQ tremendously if you understand a player’s actions and reactions on the field.
Check out this article about Lacrosse Defender for some fact-checking while you watch. What is the best way to defend? Are you playing with your feet most of the time? Who has the best stick skills when it comes to takeaway? Is it true that the best players are always the ones who go hard?
Make an honest effort with these three approaches, and you’ll become a much better defender.
