Lacrosse is a very popular game in the United States. It’s played outdoors on a field with goals at each end. The goalkeepers stand inside the goalposts to block shots from going into their team’s net.
Whatever position you play, it can be frustrating to watch your teammates score at will, with no way for you to help stop them. But there are several ways that the defenders can play defense against the attack coming upfield.
The first way is to hold your ground on the goal crease. Knowing that the attackman will come at you full speed with a shot, you must be ready and prepared to move out of his way. Spring out of the goalie box in a direction that leaves you facing the shooter instead of having to back up and move to one side or another. A good defenseman will have learned when and where to jump into centerfield, which is directly between the opposing defensemen.
Another way to defend against an attack upfield is to maintain your position in the goal crease. As soon as the attacker makes his move, you must jump up in front of him. This will keep him from getting a good shot away that would result in a goal. The other thing it does is make it difficult for him to get out of the way so he won’t be able to use his stick or head as a shield when he’s pushed up against you.
The third way is to peel away from the other defenders and play back upfield through training with lacrosse bounce back. When you do this, the attackman has to decide whether he will go after the player trying to play defense or you. If it’s both of you, it may not be a good idea for him because he won’t be getting any shots on goal.
It’s always good to have a third player playing up with you, but there are two things that go into this decision: keeping your man close and keeping your man close enough to make a pass out of defense at the right moment. A great passer can make all the difference in your team’s offense and defense.
The best defense comes from coaching. When your coach shows you the proper techniques and positions, you can use them in your games. If you don’t get coaching tips, it’s harder to learn how to play good defense by yourself.
It’s always a good idea for a defender to know where the best place is for an attackman to shoot from because he wants that player out of the way and not focusing on his game. A defender who talks with his teammates and plays as a team will give his team much better opportunities on offense as well as defense.