Like the defense in many other team sports, particularly basketball and hockey, defense in lacrosse is twofold: Every player has individual roles, assignments and objectives when competing against another player, but each player is also part of a team. When it comes to playing good defense in lacrosse, you are working as part of a defensive unit that can break down through its weakest link. This puts the pressure on the individual to stay strong in her assignment.
Pick Your Spots
There is a time and a place to be aggressive as a defender in lacrosse. When you are defending close to a player who is about to receive a long pass that you believe can be interrupted, it is worth your time to disrupt the pass and possibly gain possession of the ball. But unless you are sure you can disrupt the opponent, it is wise to sit back and remain an obstacle between the offensive player and the goal -- this puts the pressure on the offense to find a way around you, rather than taking advantage of an aggressive play that pulls you out of position.
Limit Field Vision
When an offensive player receives the ball, her goal will be to look around the field to find openings in the defense. As a defender, you need to limit this player's ability to perceive the setup of the field players. Get in close as soon as the player receives the ball and put pressure on the offensive player with glove pokes and aggression toward the stick. Because the offensive player will have to maintain ball control and keep you from forcing a turnover, her ability to set up a play will be limited.
Stay Within the System
The goal of the offense is to disrupt your team's defense and create imbalances that open up scoring opportunities. Although tight, aggressive play is valued on defense, you need to remember your role in the system. A zone defense will break down if you move out of your zone to maintain pressure on a player, and if the offense senses you are prone to abandon your zone, your opponents will try to draw you out of place. Similarly, being aware of your target when playing a man defense will help you prevent passes to and from that player, limiting the offense's options.
Communicate With Teammates
Playing defense in lacrosse can result in a lot of movement and changes in the defense, whether you are switching defensive assignments on a pick, rotating positioning to keep gaps filled, or helping your teammates keep in their proper position. Don't be afraid to talk to one another throughout a defensive set: This will keep you in sync with one another, making the unit more cohesive.
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