Glossary – Individual Defense (See Skill Analysis)

  • Athletic Position (See Defense Drill #1):  Feet parallel (hip width apart), knees slightly bent (1/4 squat aka peak power position), staying on “the balls (forefoot)” of your feet, leaning slightly forward, with head/chest up, abdominals flexed (as if about to be punched in the stomach), a “neutral spine” and your “shoulders set.”
  • Neutral Spine:  A “normal curve” or slight concave in the lower back.     
  • Scapular Set/"Shoulders Set":  A positioning of the shoulder blades (scapula) whereby the shoulder blades are rotated back, together and down (simultaneously).
  • Holding The Stick/Alternate Grip/“Lax” Grip:  Beginning players should be instructed to hold their stick with an “alternate” (“lax” grip), on whatever side of their body feels the most natural.  The bottom hand of the player should grasp the stick using an overhand grip while holding onto the knob (“butt-end”) at the bottom of the stick.  The top hand holds the stick using an underhand grip, approximately shoulder-width apart away from the bottom hand (See Passing & Catching Skills Analysis).
  • "Two Hands":  Players on defense (and offense) should keep two hands on the stick as much as possible and should avoid the habit of taking one hand off of the stick unnecessarily. 
  • Defensive Players/"Team Defenders"/Defensive Specialists/"Shut-Down" Defenders (See Defensive Skills Analysis):  The number one goal of any defender is not to get scored on, as a team first and foremost, but also individually either on-ball or off-ball. 
  • “Egg & Spooner”/“Stay Home” Defender:  Beginners and experienced defenders with poor stick skills are sometimes referred to as “egg & spooners,” which in some instances describes the way they look when running with the ball; in other words, very little “cradling” and lacking “ball protection.”  These players are at risk of getting “stripped” and need to be supported with good “outlets” wherever possible. 
  • Match-Ups/“Assignments”/Proper Defensive Side:  At the more advanced levels of lacrosse, coaches will often employ predetermined “match-ups” of size-on-size and speed-on-speed, responsibilities which should be communicated and implemented on the floor by defensive players.  Offensive players should try to exploit any “mismatches” in this regard, wherever possible.  Otherwise, defenders with a match-up assignment generally don't switch checks ("stay"); only out of desperation, or if the assignment involves several defenders matching up against the weak-side or strong-side. 
  • Check/Checking (See Cradling Drill #4):  A “check” is a term for a player that someone is matched up against while playing defense.  Usually it’s the player that is closest to you on the opposing team who is considered your “check,” but this needs to be communicated to avoid potential “breakdowns.” 
  • Shadowing/Covering/Guarding/"Man-To-Man" (See Defense Drill #3A & #3B):  "Shadowing" a check is to mirror the movements of an offender in reverse order (offender goes forward, defender goes backward, etc.), from various distance, at the same time maintaining top-side position, as offensive players become a threat.  On-ball, at times defenders will initiate contact with the opponents body/stick when they are vulnerable, generally staying about a sticks length away.  
  • Square/Facing/Facing Away:  When a player is “square” to something, they are “facing” it directly (hips parallel); when they have their back to something they are “facing away.” 

  • Passing Lanes (See Defense Drill #2):  It is not only up to the player with the ball to safely “feed” the “receiver;” the receiver must also help create a safe “passing lane,” which often requires two players being in motion.  Having sticks up and in the passing lanes is therefore an integral part of any defense, but especially important when playing within a zone defense. 
  • Head On A Swivel/“2-For-1 Rule" (See Defense Drill #13A):  Looking all around and being aware of what is happening on both sides of the floor while playing offense or defense.  Offensively it means to observe the position of the ball and constantly be aware of being ready to receive a pass.  Speaking to defense, beginning defenders should go by the “2-for-1 rule,” while off-ball in an open stance:  two looks to your check for every one look towards the ball. 
  • Back-Pedaling (See Defense Drill #1):  Basic footwork, usually by a defender, characterized by straight backward movement while staying face forward; the opposite of running.  Players should get as low as possible to the ground, using long powerful strides and keeping their chest/head up to back-pedal most effectively.      
  • “Carioca”:  Is a footwork pattern that coaches can use during practice or training.  It involves facing perpendicular to the direction being traveled and placing one foot in front, and then behind the other leg, while moving laterally. 
  • “Figure-8” (See Stickwork Drill #7):  This is a footwork pattern often used in drills during practice, but elements of the figure-8 pattern are used all of the time during games as well.  This pattern is utilized by both offensive and defensive players while avoiding obstacles that interfere with players' taking care of their responsibilities.  Players are usually facing up-floor while utilizing a figure-8 pattern, and therefore should do the same while practicing (making sure to keep their head up) at full speed (all directions).
  • Drop-Step/Pivot/Change Of Direction/Defensive Spin/Inside Roll:  When the ball carrier changes direction or gets over the top-side, defenders need to swing a foot backwards, opening up their hips and running “hip-to-hip” to cut off the ball carrier in the direction that they have taken to the net.  
  • Pursuing/50-50 Balls (See Loose Ball Drill #6):  If a player thinks they can arrive at a loose ball before or at the same time as an opponent, they should “pursue” the loose ball with as much effort as possible; the only exception being the 1-for-1 rule. 
  • Keeping The Ball Alive/Battling (See Loose Ball Drill #10):  The biggest determining factor in getting a loose ball is effort.  “Battling” to keep the ball loose for oneself or a teammate is just as important as actually picking the ball up itself.  Often big “scrums” for the ball will develop as players continue to “keep the ball alive” in an effort to retain possession of the ball (especially off of face-offs).
  • “1-For-1” Rule/90%:  Unless at a numerical advantage in overall number of players on the floor (i.e. power-play), defenders should never leave their check to join a scrum or line change if the numbers are even, unless their check joins the scrum or line changes first (in which case the defensive player should still be on the defensive side of their check). 
  • Giving It Back/“Mixing It Up”/“Churping”/Cheap Shots/Sending A Message/Fighting/“Turtling”:  Although this a controversial subject for many, it must be addressed because of its relevance in our sport and as it relates to player safety.  Players uninterested in fighting shouldn’t “churp” (make verbal slanders) or take “cheap shots” at an opponent; otherwise they are attracting/inviting the retribution of the opposing team.  Some players might do these sorts of things to try to frustrate or physically intimidate the opponent, but they need to be prepared to receive it back, otherwise they risk getting hurt. 
  • “Eating” The Ball/Mucking The Ball (See Defense Drill #5A):  There are certain times during a lacrosse game when not picking up a loose ball is sometimes a smarter play than picking it up (also known as “eating the ball”).  This type of situation usually occurs during a “red call,” when the opposing team’s shot clock has less than 5 seconds left on it.  If a defender picks up the ball and possesses it for even a half-second, then gets stripped, the player is at risk of giving the other team an easy “multiple re-set” situation.  It would therefore be smarter for that player to just keep the ball alive, box-out their check, and not pick it up (ensuring that the shot clock expires).  Kicking it along the boards, “batting-it” down the floor, or any other tactic that doesn’t allow the opponent to retrieve the ball, is usually best (unless there is a potential fast-break with a player cheating).
  • “Hucking” The Ball/Icing The Ball/Dumping The Ball (See Playbook):  Rarely if ever should a player “huck” a ball the length of the floor, but a few circumstances where it does happen include:  out of desperation, throwing it back to one’s own end while being pressured after a face-off (see “batting” the ball), late in the shot clock or when “dumping” it to open space and out of harm’s way (i.e. late in a game).
  • Denying/"Over-Playing:"  Following your check tightly wherever they go on the floor so that they are unable to receive a pass, or establishing body position that dictates where an opponent can/cannot go. 
  • Body Checking/Body Contact/Bumping (See Practice Plan #8):  Used to slow up an opponent with or without the ball, body checks must be above the waist and below the neck.  A body check is when a player turns slightly and drives their lead shoulder (“lead leg, lead shoulder”) into an opponent’s chest, sometimes going shoulder-to-shoulder (body-to-body). 
  • Cross-Handed Slashing (See Defense Drill #9):  When a left-handed defender is checking a left-handed offender (same-handed), and vice-versa, the defenders stick is underneath the offender (board-side), instead of the top-side.  In this situation the defender uses a slightly different slashing technique, known as the “cross-handed” slashing. This technique sees the defender reach “across their body” with both hands on the stick, slashing back towards their proper side (sometimes accompanied by a poke or slight hook). Essentially, this movement mimics the regular slashing action, except inverted (usually from high to low); requiring excellent footwork and "top-side positioning" before a slash attempt would even be warranted.
  • Poking/“Poke & Lift”/Can-Opener:  A poke check is when a defender points their stick at an offender’s chest/stick and thrusts it forward with their bottom hand.  At the same time they can also push their stick through their upper hand, which forms a hollow circle on the stick (for better accuracy and control); or otherwise execute the poke with one hand on the stick. 
  • Hooking (See Defense Drill #7):  When an offender is a step ahead on their way to the net or in transition, defenders can use a backhand stick technique known as hooking.  At about waist height, the defender places their stick and forearms straight out in front (or to the side), forming a “V” in relation to the opponent. 
  • “Flip” Check/Overhead Check:  If a player keeps their stick hanging out too far, not protecting the ball, they are at risk of getting stripped with the “flip check.”  A good defender looks like they are going to cross-check their opponent, but then suddenly takes one hand off of their stick, goes over the player’s head (not touching the player with their other hand - see wrap-around penalty) and comes down on the opponent’s stick, stripping the ball.  This is a risky play by a defender, and should be discouraged by coaches, but if timed appropriately, can be effective against certain players (usually defenders).   
  • Ice-Pick Check:  With one hand on the stick just below the stick head (see one-handed cradling) an “ice pick” is a stick check, using the bottom portion of the stick ("butt-end") in a downward thrusting motion. 
  • Rusty Gate Check:  Done usually out of desperation or as a last resort after being beaten one-on-one, a “rusty gate” is a one-handed reverse slash, thrown behind a defender’s own back.  If an offender “fakes” a “juke” one way, and gets a defender to over-commit, then goes the other way, a rusty gate check is a one-time opportunity to slash the player’s hands and perhaps get lucky and strip the ball.  It is usually not worth the risk of getting a penalty for an errant slash, but advanced players will sometimes be able to get away with it.
  • Sagging/“Sluffing”/Shading/Hedging/“Hot” Defender/“Help” Defender/Showing Help (See Defense Drill #13B):  When a defender moves away from their check, a few steps toward the middle, in order to be in better position to slide over and help out a teammate, rotate, or simply to “show help.” 
  • Adjacent/Adjacent Help (See Defense Drill #12A):  A player closest to, or directly beside another teammate, whether on offense or defense. 
  • Slide/Multiple Slides/"Following The Slide" (See Defense Drill #13B):  If a teammate gets beat toward the net on defense, that same player should yell “help” and the next closest defender should “slide” over to help defend the ball.  The one exception to this team rule is when defending the crease position, as players should in general never slide from the off-ball crease (a diagonal quick stick is usually the result). 
  • Hitching/Fake Slide (See Transition Drill #7A):  When sliding or “finishing a check,” the less obvious the defender makes the move, usually the more effective it will be (except when forced to slide or sliding out of desperation).  "Hitching" is a fake slide, where the defender acts like they are going to slide one way, then slides another.  Hitching can also be referred to as an offensive footwork maneuver, similar to a stutter-step.   
  • Finishing Your Check:  It is a good habit to always “finish your check” when playing defense.  Specifically, whenever your check passes or shoots the ball, they should always be body checked or cross-checked if the offender is less than 1 second away. 
  • “Hold”:  The opposite of rotation, “hold” is the call communicated by defensive players when, for a particular reason, they don’t want to rotate where they otherwise normally would.  “Holding” is usually called following multiple skip passes by the offense, while playing in a zone defense. 
  • Pressure/Forcing/Firing Out/“Aggressive” Pressure/Strip Defense/Controlled Pressure/“Soft” Defense:  To “force” someone to do something; giving them no choice.  “Aggressive pressure” by the defense is sometimes needed in order to force a turnover when a team is losing late in a game.  Sometimes in practice "soft" defense will be asked of the players (for offensive purposes).  Generally, "controlled pressure" is the best approach. 
  • Arriving In Control/"Coming To Balance" (See Defense Drill #4):  When “closing the gap,” applying pressure or rotating, it is important for a defender approaching their check to do so “in control.”  Regardless of the amount of speed needed to close the gap, upon approach the defender should be prepared to slow down as quickly as possible, getting low and "coming to balance;" prepared for body  contact or change of direction.
  • Over-Committing/Lunging/Over-Extending:  When a defender takes a straight run at an opponent and “over-extends” themself in an attempt to body check, slash, or cross-check them, it is referred to as “over-committing” and usually results in that defender being left out of position. 
  • Getting “Beat”/“Beat Clean”:  Getting “beat clean” is when an offensive player gets around their check one-on-one toward the net (off-ball or on-ball), relatively untouched. 

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