May 29, 2008

Hey Lindsey,

Where does the girls and women's lacrosse community stand on the on-ball defender yelling or shouting at the ball carrier "Ball...ball...ball," or "got ball," versus calling out the same thing to inform their teammates that they are on the ball? Is this yelling for intimidation purposes? Is it good sportsmanship? Is it done at the high school level? Is it done at the college level? Does it "Honor the Game"? Should we teach our girls to do this?
- Mike Schmitzer, Sparta, N.J.

---

Dear Mike,

I have seen this done at lower levels of play, but it is not something I would encourage your players to learn and adopt at any level. There is a big difference between communicating with your teammates and screaming, "Ball, ball, ball," repetitiously at the player you are trying to defend in an attempt to intimidate her. A confident attacker will simply ignore it, and though it may serve to unsettle a weaker player, the tactic basically amounts to verbal intimidation, which is unsportsmanlike and should be discouraged.

Yelling "ball, ball, ball" also tends to have the opposite effect of what is intended, because it disrupts team communication. Efficient communication is critical to an effective defensive unit.

It is imperative that the on-ball defender let her teammates know that she has the player with the ball by calling out "on-ball" or "I have ball," etc. It is also important that she repeat this at timely intervals to communicate when the player with the ball moves to a different position around the arc or when she needs help. If fellow defenders are informed, they can anticipate the slides, recognize when to play tight on adjacent players or double team, and even take the player with the ball, if necessary.

Off-ball defenders must also consistently communicate to let the defensive unit and on-ball defender know when and where cutters and picks are coming from, where slides are coming from, where help is, where the attacker should be directed, and when and where the ball moves. This kind of communication is essential for effectively shutting down an opposing team's offense.

But if the on-ball defender has focused all of her attention on screaming, "Ball, ball, ball," chances are, she won't be able to hear her fellow teammates trying to communicate with her, and her teammates won't be able to hear each other. That's when defenses break down.

I would much rather see efficient communication and a defender that shows confidence through good positioning and playmaking over verbal intimidation. Demonstrating skill, effort and good play will make you far more intimidating to any attacker than anything you can say. It's what you do that speaks loudest.

Best,
Lindsey

---

"Straight Shooters" is a US Lacrosse-produced advice series that runs every Sunday in the Baltimore Sun and on baltimoresun.com. The series can also be found here on Lacrosse Magazine Online at www.laxmagazine.com.

Lindsey Biles, of Annapolis, Md., was an All-American and Tewaaraton Trophy finalist during her college career at Princeton, and was a member of the 2006-07 U.S. Women's National Team. Biles also works as a sideline analyst for ESPNU.

E-mail Biles at lindsey@laxmagazine.com.