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Tips For Defensemen
- Don't rush an attack man after
he has caught the ball. If he is receiving a rather long pass and you are sure you can reach
him before the ball, go after him, checking his stick and hitting him with your body.
- As a pass is made to the man
you are playing, move out to cover him as the ball is moving to him, so that you are in position
as he catches it. Don't wait until he has caught the ball, and then move out on him.
- Never take a step into a man
while playing him on defense.
- Once the attack man has the
ball, worry him plenty by poke checking, etc., don't give much chance to look over his field,
make him worry about you. Don't force or rush him however. There is a big difference between
worrying a man and forcing or rushing him. Make the attack make the first move.
- When not poking at the man with
ball, keep your stick a little above the height of your attack man's shoulder. Don't ever
carry it at your side, KEEP IT UP!
- When your man hasn't got the
ball, always play slightly to the ball side of him, so that you gain a step as he cuts toward
the ball. If he cuts away from the ball, the pass must go over your head which leaves you
in good position to intercept or check.
- When your man hasn't got the
ball, stand sideways to the man and ball. You must use split vision watching both man and
ball.
- There must be plenty of talk
on defense, this is important. The following are the most important examples: a) The man on
each side of the ball must let the man on the ball know if he is-backed up. b) If a man leaves
to back up he must let the defense know he is leaving, so that they may shift. c) The man
playing the ball must holler, "I've got-the ball". d) If a man cuts, the defense
man playing him should holler "man cutting" so that he alerts the rest of the defense
for a possible switch. e) If a switch is necessary, both men call "SWITCH".
- If a man leaves to back up on
a dodge, the whole defense slides a man, leaving the man farthest from the ball open.
- Only in extreme cases, should
the defense man on the crease leave to back up. Example: To stop a play that would end up
in a score.
- Never cross your feet while
playing an attack man unless you are forced to run to keep up with him.
- Never throw a ball just to get
rid of it.
- Always scoop a loose ball. Never
draw it. If there is a crowd, go through and either kick it or scoop it up.
- When you check, make your check
short and hard, making your check across the man's forearm and following through with your
body. Never raise your stick high to check.
- If a man dodges you, keep after
him. You should catch him as your backer comes in from the front.
- Never pass a ball across in
front of your goal.
- If you are after a loose ball,
but your attack man is ahead of you, press him hard if you cannot come up with the ball, but
don't give him the opportunity to go around you.
- After the man you are playing
throws a ball, step back two steps quickly and be ready for a cut. Also always look in the
direction of the ball as you drop off. Don't turn your back on the ball.
- As the man you are playing starts
a pass, check across his arms, but don't step in.
- A. If the ball is out front,
and your man is behind the goal, play on the pipe of the cage on the side of the goal your
man is on. B. If the ball is behind the goal and your man is behind also although without
the ball, go behind with him.
- If you ever switch, STAY WITH
THAT MAN until your team gets the ball or you have to switch again.
- Whey clearing the ball, as you
catch the ball, circle away from your stick side if you are moving in to receive the pass.
- Never let an attack man clamp
your stick. If you are on the crease on a screen shot, stop it or catch it, if you can't do
either then move so that your goalie can see it.
- Once the other team has cleared
the ball, all defense men must drop in fast, RUN HARD --THIS IS ONE TIME YOU CANNOT LOAF.
- On clears, make all passes sharp,
away from the (attack man) and, as a general rule, to the nearest open man.
- On a clear, when making a pass
to a man who is coming in to meet the ball throw at his face, so that he catches the ball
in front of him, making it hard for a (attack man) to check him.
- If the ball is rolling toward
the midfield line, NEVER ALLOW your attack man to beat you to the ball. Be alert, use your
stick to goose the ball to teammate. Don't let the attack man clamp your stick or lift up
so ball goes under and through. Remember, if the ball is 5 yards away or less you can use
your body for position. Don't hit from the rear and don't go offside.
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