Source: https://www.playsportstv.com/boys-lacrosse/articles/1597/how-to-play-girls%E2%80%99-lacrosse-defense-effectively
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 20:05:05+00:00

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Girls’ lacrosse coach Brooke Crawford Record has a positive attitude when it comes to teaching players how to play defense. Defense in girls’ lacrosse is a difficult proposition because the offensive players have a great advantage. The slightest mistake by the defender in the offensive zone can lead to a score or an eight-meter free position shot on the goalie.
“It is difficult playing defense in lacrosse, but it’s not impossible,” says Record, head coach of the highly regarded Academy of Notre Dame (Pa.) girls’ lacrosse program.
Record gets joy out of coaching lacrosse defense. Here's a great PSTV training video on checking in girls' lacrosse.
“Probably my favorite play to see is when someone is able to take a charge,” she says. “To me, that is sometimes even better than a great goal. Nothing is more exciting than causing a turnover. It’s harder to do. In high school lacrosse, there are about 15 goals in a game. To take a charge is a lot harder.
Girls’ Lacrosse Defense: To Check or Not to Check?
Whether to teach checking is perhaps the biggest decision a coach faces with defensive instruction. Trying to check the ball is the easiest way to commit a violation and leads to a free-position shot (thus placing extra pressure on the lacrosse goalie). Slashing or shots to the head are often the result, so it takes very skilled players to pull off the move legally.
Record has a warning for coaches who teach checking as a main defensive philosophy.
Record teaches “dictate attacking movement.” She believes the defender will have the advantage if she dictates the attacker’s movement instead of reacting to the attacker. For example, if the attacker’s dominant side is her right-handed shot, the defender will force her to the left. This will allow the weak-side help, slide or double-team to come from the defender’s right while keeping the ball on the attacker’s weaker left-handed side.
While one-on-one defense is key, Record coaches team defense. Her lacrosse players rely heavily on double-teams, slides, help and perhaps a second slide.
Obviously, 1 v. 1, 2 v. 2 and 3 v. 3 lacrosse drills are the best way to work on defense. In 2 v. 2 and 3 v. 3, the defenders have to work together. In 3 v. 3, the second defender is the help, while the third is the slide. At the same time, the initial defender is trying to dictate the attacker’s movement.
For more great girls' lacrosse tips, check out PSTV's complete collection of girls' lacrosse videos.

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