One thing every lacrosse player must understand is that regardless of your position, every player is a defender at some point. When the opposing team has the ball, every player is technically a defenseman and must work to prevent a goal. Simply because you are a forward does not get you out of helping your defensive teammates. Playing defense can be tough in such a fast sport.
Stay Between the Man and the Goal
The basic rule of defense in lacrosse is you must stay between your man and the goal. Under no circumstances should the defender be able to pass you and have a clear look at your goalkeeper and the goal. Many players believe they are good enough to play an opposing forward very tight and run right next to them. However, very few players are this talented. Therefore, you should stay a couple feet away from the opposing player, following his every move.
Feet First, Stick Second
When holding a lacrosse defenseman's stick (which is longer than a forward's stick), lacrosse players seem to have a recurring desire to swing the stick as much as they can at the opposing forward. However, this is not effective defense and often leads to penalties. The most efficient way to play defense in lacrosse is to constantly keep your feet moving. Running with all your might is the best way to defend an opponent. If they cannot get around you, there is almost no way for them to score.
Protect the Hole
Protecting the hole is the most important part of the positional game in lacrosse. The hole is the part of the field inside the goal box. The area is about an 8- to 10-yard radius the lies in front of the goal. In lower lacrosse levels, the majority of goals are scored from this area. If you prevent opposing players from entering the hole at all costs, they will score considerably less.
Keep an Active Stick
Keeping your feet moving is more important than using your stick. However, this is not to underestimate the power of keeping your lacrosse stick active on the field. An effective use of the lacrosse stick is to keep your stick moving constantly to prevent the opposing forward from finding an open lane to pass the ball. If you keep your stick in front of theirs at all times, without carelessly slashing him or hitting him with the stick, you will maximize the probability of the opponent giving up the ball on a careless play.
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