Lacrosse Defense Tips For Beginners

Lacrosse defense tips for beginners are comprised of simple techniques that are easy to learn. Bing a good defenseman in lacrosse is about positioning, feet, body and stick. Learning the basic as a beginner will allow you to improve your defense skills along the way. Good defense skills also lend themselves to solid offensive support.

1. Keep on Your Toes: Planting your feet flatfooted is certain defeat for a defenseman. You want to stay on your toes, versus back on your heels, to ensure you are ready for movement in any direction. Keeping on your toes will keep you nimble and prepared for most any attack sequence.
2. Keep Your Eyes on the Offense: A good defenseman in lacrosse, including beginners, is field vision. Avoid just watching one area of the field, for example if you are a left back don’t concentrate only on the left side of the field. Keep your eye on the attacking ball but also players around you. A good defenseman is prepared for steal or to attack immediately after a pass. These advantages come from good field vision.
3. Keep an Even Posture: Upright and mobile is necessary for defenseman, including beginners. Keeping yourself in a ready posture will add volume to your defensive prowess. Proper posture will keep you mobile and agile when moving quickly from one position or spot on the field to another.
4. Keep Your Stick Up: As a beginning defenseman it is important to understand that there is physical contact in lacrosse. The stick can be used to provide a buffer during contact or to defense against a shot. Be sure you understand your leagues stick rules as not to cause a penalty.
5. Learn to Back Peddle: That is, learn to run backwards. This pointer for beginners will enable you to push back defensively while still keeping the play in front of you. Running backwards effectively is harder than it looks. This tip need to be part of your practice regiment and not just introduced at game time. So, take your time to learn this skill and utilize it wisely.