“You don’t win on emotion, you win on execution” ~ Tony Dungy
Playing effective defense is a learned skill. Having quick footwork, an aggressive mindset and a tough attitude helps but great defense is achieved through dedication to the defensive unit and an unwavering work ethic. Execution on defense is critical, one wrong move can lead to a goal. We must embrace playing defense in the midfield and as a defensive unit. A strong, balanced body position that keeps the ball carrier in-between the defenders shoulders is more important than throwing a wild check and losing body positioning.
Successful defenders need to think when they are playing defense. Effective defenders dictate to the attacker where they want her to go. The defender wants to take something away from her opponent. The defender needs to have a plan with what they want to do.
Key points to playing effective defense:
1. Communicate
2. Positioning
3. Footwork
4. Anticipate
5. Play good angles
6. Body Up
7. Off Ball Play
8. Turn Her
9. Block
10. Intercept
Crash – a call that is used to signal players to drop into the 8 meter area and swarm the ball carrier to slow her down and not allow her an option to shoot. If the ball is fed into the 8-meter then the off ball defenders must be prepared to slide into the 8 meter, under control, swarming the ball carrier and prevent her from shooting. Crashing requires all players to be accountable for their sticks and their bodies. You cannot go into the crash swinging wildly or bodying up too aggressively. Players need to work together and work under control, breaking down their steps and crashing with their sticks up and in the passing lanes. Low defenders need to hedge or slide to the ball goal side while middies crash from the top of the 8-meter with their sticks up limiting passing options. The worst outcome is to foul the ball carrier and have it result in a 8 meter free position. Defenders must keep their balance as they swarm the ball. Approaching the ball carrier at the correct angle is also important so the defenders are not called for shooting space. Defenders must be prepared to adjust and reset if when the crash occurs the attacker kicks the ball out to an open player.
Hunt the ball – the second our team loses possession of the ball, our entire team has the job of getting the ball back. Everyone must have the mindset that you must not only slow the ball down so your teammates can get marked up to play defense but everyone has the job of getting the ball back into our possession.
Stalk in Pairs – during the ride in the midfield, working together to hunt down the ball carrier and make her retreat backwards
Low Man Wins – An athlete’s ability to stay low, keep a balanced base and execute quick footwork results in her winning more ground balls, not being burned by an attacker and being able to beat defenders.
Stalk & Talk – the pairs stalking the ball, talk to each other the whole time to effectively trap the ball carrier together
Line of Centers: magical line that splits the goal cage, 8M and 12M in half
M&M: Mis-Match, tall girl on a short girl, live for it, exploit it
Turn Her – A critical skill for all players to master. It is the ability to “turn” the opponent and slow her down by using quick footwork to position her body and stick in a way that she forces the ball carrier to slow her down and turn her away from where she wants to go (hopefully into a double team…) In order to do this, the defender must anticipate where the ball carrier wants to go. Then she must take a good angle and use quick, balanced footwork and solid defensive positioning to cut the ball carrier off and slow her down. Then she chops her steps, makes controlled body contact using knuckles or forearms and reaches out with her stick and “turns” the ball carrier away from where she wants to go. Defenders who master “Turn her” can single handedly control the tempo of the game. Heart and hustle are required to successfully master it.
Keys to “Turn Her:”
1. Slowing the ball down so defensive teammates can recover and get into position
2. Taking away a quick passing option
3. Forcing the ball carrier to pass when she may not be ready to
4. Forcing the ball carrier into a double or triple team or into the sideline where she can be trapped
5. Disrupting your opponents clear and subsequently the flow of their transition
6. Chasing, containing, then controlling
7. There is NO stick swinging. Ever.