Men’s Lacrosse Defense Checklist: On-Ball, Off-Ball, and Sliding Technique
On-Ball: Close Defense
Approach: Be athletic and get into a strong breakdown position.
Stick Positioning: Stick in front, maintain a cushion, and keep your stick upfield.
Pressure: Apply relentless bottom-hand pressure with short, controlled pokes and slaps. Step back with the opposite foot rather than stepping into the poke.
Footwork: Drop step every time the attacker changes direction.
Be First: Beat the attacker to the plane and turn/drive them low toward the GLE. Never get beat topside.
Control the Plane: Stay a step ahead, get your trail foot back, and drive your lead leg toward the cone.
Stick Work: Keep hands low; stick parallel to the ground or slightly tilted. Attack half the man—push first, check second.
Squeeze the Inside Roll: Use your cross forearm or butt fist to drive the attacker into the crease while staying balanced. Keep feet moving, drive with your legs, and lock your elbow.
Footwork First: Prioritize foot and hip positioning over stick checks.
No Switching Hands: Do not change hands when covering the ball.
On-Ball: Defensive Midfield
Approach: Same as close defense—breakdown position.
Take Away the Middle: Overplay your man to deny access to the middle of the field. Don’t let him cross your face.
Force Outside: Direct the midfielder down the side, outside the shooting "V".
Short Sticks: Jam the attacker at the hip.
Stick Pressure: Keep your butt fist on your man while sweeping. Lift his gloves without overreaching, ensuring he cannot roll back easily.
Stay Balanced: Avoid leaning too much in one direction.
Off-Ball Defense
Communication is Key: Always talk—communicate your position and responsibilities.
Slough In: Move from on-ball to off-ball and back efficiently. Hardest work is maintaining proper positioning.
Triangle Awareness: Maintain your ball–me–man triangle.
Stick Position: Keep your stick to the inside to protect passing lanes and switch hands as needed.
Good Angles: Take proper approach angles when transitioning back to on-ball defense.
Sliding
Be Early: Slide sooner rather than later. Communicate with calls like “Gone” or “Fire.” or another 1 syllable word the team decides on.
Stick-to-Stick: Slide stick-to-stick first, followed by your body. Keep your stick parallel to the ground for better speed and control.
Control the Double: Don’t let the attacker split the double team. Hold the double until they fade or pass.
Recovery: Recover to the proper area, look for the ball, and “bump” a teammate if necessary.
Pick Play
Communication: Always call out “Pick right/left” or “Switch.” Clear communication is essential.
Perimeter Picks: Stay with your matchup when possible. Step back and shade the pick side to allow space for your teammate to get through or switch cleanly if needed.
Crease Picks: Ensure every offensive player is covered with a stick to a stick. Fight through the pick if possible; switch only when necessary. Be decisive to avoid leaving anyone open.
General Principles
Relentless Communication: Never stop talking on the field.
Footwork First: Positioning and footwork take precedence over checks.
Control the Game: Dictate where attackers go with smart positioning and physical control.
Stay Balanced: Maintain an athletic stance at all times to react effectively.
