May 29, 2008

Hey Matt,

I am new to lacrosse and I play defense. I haven't learned much about the game so far. When I ask my dad for advice, all he says is, "When in doubt, hit somebody." But that sometimes doesn't work. Do you have any advice on how to become a better defenseman?

- JC McDonough, 13, Mission Viejo, Calif.

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JC,

Defense is a tough position to start playing lacrosse on. Physically speaking, catching, throwing, and scooping with a long pole is more difficult when compared to doing the same skills with a short stick. Mentally, defensemen must operate as a single cooperative unit, while offensive players have the individual freedom to create. All in all, offensive players have it easier. This is not to discourage you Just know you're going the hard route.

There are many things you can do to become a better defensive player, and these practices apply to every position:

1. Work on your stick skills. Use a wall in your backyard, park or schoolyard to practice catching and throwing. Learning how to catch and throw with both hands is a sure way to separate yourself from the rest of the group. You can never practice picking up enough ground balls. It's the most important stat in the game, and probably the least practiced skill.

2. [Bryant University and former Duke University] Coach Mike Pressler's MO has always been, "Make the player better by making the athlete better." There are six performance-related fitness components: agility, balance, power, speed, reaction time and coordination. Improvement in any one of these areas will undoubtedly make you a better lacrosse player.

3. Go out to a high school, college or club lacrosse game and watch to learn, not to be entertained. Pay special attention to the defensive players who are off-ball. How do they position themselves with respect to their mark, the ball and the cage? How do they react to offensive movement? How do they help out their teammates when they get beat? How does the defenseman's on-ball position dictate where the ball carrier can go? How do the defensemen react when their goalie makes a save? What are the defensemen doing when the ball is on the other end of the field? Go to games and be a student, not just a spectator.

4. Seek lacrosse advice from your coach, or from someone who has been around the game a long time. Don't hesitate to ask your coach questions after practice if you're still unsure or having trouble with something. Coaches appreciate players who are self-motivated to learn and improve their game. For all other inquiries, you know how to contact me.

Best,
Matt Zash

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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.

Matt Zash was a two-time All-American midfielder at Duke, graduating in 2006. He plays professional lacrosse for the MLL's Philadelphia Barrage and the NLL's New York Titans. Zash was a member of the 2003 U.S. under-19 men's world championship team and played for Team USA in the 2007 Indoor World Lacrosse Championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He owns and operates the Lax Hut, a chain of lacrosse retail stores.

E-mail your questions to Zash at zash@laxmagazine.com.