|
|
 |
|
|
|
When to check, and when not to check
January 16, 2003
The ONLY time a defenseman should start throwing checks
is when their opponent is fading away from the goal –
that is when they are the least dangerous
 |
 |
 |
| Christian Cook, New Jersey Pride,
Receive 2002 Warrior Trophy for MLL Defenseman of
the Year from MLL Founder and CEO Jake Steinfeld.
Christian is also teaching defense this summer at
Jesse Hubbard's "Lacrosse Experience"
June 28-July2 |
This week’s article will focus on a fairly simple
topic that causes many defensemen to make silly mistakes
(young and old alike). When to check, and when not to
check. Many young defensemen are taught by their coaches
and encouraged to “hound” their man all over
the field from the minute they pick up a long-stick. The
coaches yell “use that 6 foot stick to your advantage”
and want them to relentlessly poke and slap their attackman
– thinking it will lead to a bad pass or shot. While
this is true in theory, it also leads many defensemen
to over-commit and become their own worst enemy.
There are specific times when you want to use your stick
while playing defense and times you want to focus on your
body position. Any time an offensive player is bearing
towards the goal, from behind, the wing or up-top, your
first thought as a defensive player should be “where
am I in relation to the goal and where do I want to direct
my opponent?” Body position is very important –
you can use your stick to your advantage at this point,
but it won’t be through the use of checks. Specifically,
if an offensive midfielder is driving toward the cage
and you push them down the side (as all defensive players
should learn to do) you should ONLY lift their bottom
hand with your stick. It allows you to disrupt their dodge/shot/pass
while not losing body position. NEVER slap or poke at
this point in time. The lift is the most underutilized
and underrated check in lacrosse at any level. ANYBODY
can use it and it works on EVERYONE. If a player is dodging
from X and they get a step advantage, a defenseman can
use the lift as leverage to get their feet back in position.
IF it is used to lift a player’s elbow or arm it
causes the attackman to veer away from the cage giving
the defenseman time and space to catch up and get back
into position.
The ONLY time a defenseman should start throwing checks
is when their opponent is fading away from the goal –
that is when they are the least dangerous. Young defensemen
(and some older, arrogant d-men) sometimes play too far
out on their players when they don’t have sound
footwork and body positioning – this is exactly
what an offensive playing is looking for. The more spread
a defense is, the further the slides are, the more time
it takes – a defense doesn’t have time (play
from the inside out – keeping things tight and quick
– less time).
Good luck to all of those young defensemen. Remember,
work on the fundamentals – not checks. Players like
Ryan Curtis, Brian Voelker, Brian Kuczma, Rob Doerr, Ryan
Mollett didn’t get where they are today by being
lazy and neglecting the fundamentals. Furthermore, I don’t
know, nor do I try to throw ANY checks. My present and
former teammates always laugh and younger players ask
me to teach them about checks – the only ones I
have perfected are the slap, lift and poke. However, I
have been fortunate enough to be successful without having
to take the ball away because I focus so much on my footwork
and body positioning. Keep working hard! |
|
| |
|
|
