What makes a good defenseman?

The best defensemen in the game of lacrosse are able to utilize a perfect combination of precise checks, footwork, body position, and discipline in order to stop an offensive player from reaching the net. To be good at defense, you need to dictate the direction and tempo of the game by using your stick, defensive positioning and teammates.

The Importance of Footwork

Footwork and body positioning are the most basic building blocks to being good at defense. Quick feet will allow a defenseman to stay in front of any opponent, including a shifty attackman, while still throwing checks. While quick feet will enable a defender to keep up with their opponent, it's a defender's body position that keeps their opponent away from the goal.

UNC Defenseman, Michael Jarvis, uses his stick and body to turn back Duke attackman, Max Quinzani, while still leaving space for a possible "poke check," or "over the head check."

The Importance of Stick Skills

Having great stick skills and being able to handle the ball while being pressured by an opponent is important to being good at defense. These skills are important because they will help a defender scoop up ground balls and clear the ball from the defensive end of the field to the offensive end. Effectively clearing the ball will increase your team's offensive possessions, which will usually lead to your team scoring more goals. Also, clearing the ball to the offensive end of the field will give you and your defensive teammates time to rest - until the ball comes back to your end of the field. Stick skills are skills that can improve overnight with hard work and practice. Practicing stick drills against a wall or with a friend, or even finding time to pick up ground balls in a field, can help you elevate your game to the next level.

The Importance of Discipline

Great defensemen like Brodie Merrill and John Gagliardi are able to take the ball away whenever they decide to because they control the tempo of the game and continually use their footwork and body positioning to force their opponent into a position where take-away checks, like the "wrap check" or the "over the head check," are most effective. When it comes to stick checks and body checks, knowing when and where to apply the appropriate check is essential to being good at defense. Over the head checks or a rusty gate are flashy, but are rarely effective. Rather than learning every flashy check in the book, great defenseman have perfected the most important checks like the poke check, wrap check, and lift and use them countless times throughout every game. Stick checks can be a powerful tool when you are able to use them appropriately, but they can also be a huge distraction if you concentrate on stick checks instead of solid position defense. In my experience, I have seen many defensemen find themselves concentrating on when to throw a check, and what check to throw, rather than playing with their feet and body. Defensemen often forget that they must play with their feet first, and stick second.

Always Improving

Beyond the technical aspects of being good at defense, the key to any successful lacrosse player is their dedication, attitude and commitment to working hard at the sport. Take the time to know your opponent and their tendencies and use that to your advantage. The more lacrosse you watch, the more your knowledge and understanding of the game will improve. Concentrate on improving things you have direct control of, like your stick skills. Working on your stick stills on a daily basis and improving your knowledge of the game can often mean difference between a good defenseman and a great defenseman. Physical attributes like strength and speed will develop in time, and when they do, you will find your ability to play the game elevated to even greater heights.