When defending in women's lacrosse, proper body contact starts with where your hands are and where you make contact.

The goal is to control and direct the offensive player without putting your stick in a position that can lead to a cross-check.

Keep Your Hands Lower

When making contact with an offensive player, keep your hands lower on the stick.

This gives you better control and allows you to direct the player with your hands rather than bringing the stick across their body.

A common mistake is coming into the contact with the stick positioned high like a cross-check. That's exactly the type of movement referees are looking for.

Break Down Your Feet

Before making contact, break down your feet.

Stay balanced and under control instead of running straight through the offensive player. Good footwork puts you in a better position to control where the attacker goes next.

Make Contact at the Hips

The key point of contact is the hips.

Get your body into position, make controlled contact at the hips, and use your hands to direct the offensive player.

This gives the defender control without relying on an aggressive stick movement.

Coaching Point

Coaches should emphasize three things:

Shorten your hands.
Break down your feet.
Make contact at the hips.

The goal is controlled defensive contact that allows you to direct the attacker while avoiding a cross-check.