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.:Tips for Defensemen:.

Defense is not an easy position. It is for the physical ones on us, the ones who yearn to hit. Not suprisingly, most defenseman make great football players. The defensman has the distinct advantage of having a stick nearly double the length of his opponent. His disadvantage is he is generally slow, while his opponent is nimble and agile.

Checking

The defenseman has the advantage of having a long stick. Hence, he can check an opponent with less risk of the opponent rolling right off him and blowing by him to the goal, since the opponent is able to be checked from farther away. Now the two most important checks that coaches stress the most are the poke(really important) and slap(or wrap). The poke is drilled by most coaches constantly as the defensemans best way to hold an opponent. With this check, you can both hit an opponents stick or bottom hand. After a while of getting hammered repeatedly, the opponent will either drop the ball or pass it off. The wrap check is good for reaching around an opponent to try and make contact with their stick when they have protected it from you. There are other checks such as the over the head, kayak, and more, but I'm not a defensive guy so I won't talk about it here.

Team Defense

A defensive unit must function as a team, under the direction of a good goalie, if they want to hold the opposing team from scoring. Slides, and the all important second slide must be made. Footwork is important, and communication is even more. Everything must be called. The goalie should be in charge of calling the position of the ball, and anyone who sees a cutter or anything else should call it. If a defensive unit moves and flows as one, they will be all but unstoppable. So during practice, make sure you get your whole unit talking, its amazing how much better you will perform when you know theres a cutter cutting behind your back.

Speed/Agility

If you don't want an attackmen running at you and then sidstepping right around you and proceeding to take a 1 on 1 with your goalie, then learn to be quick. Now I know you can't learn this, and sometimes it is in your genes, if your quick or slow. But, by sprinting, running, jumping rope, and exercising your legs, you might be able to improve. Also, you need footwork. Shuffling and drop steps are key.

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