Defence Tips
-Learn to Slide: My team playes the "2" slide. It goes like this, if the ball is on one side of the field the two people on the opposite sides kinda cheat in and the farthest of the two peopel that cheat in has to watch/gard two people. It might not make since to you but thats how I look at it. I could explane it better if needed!
-Poke tips: Get your stick and go find some small trees or other sticks. Slide from side to side hitting each pole/tree it helps you pokes! A TON
-Head tips: I have never ever been checked by an official on D so i use that to help myself. So what i do is make a "pull string pocket" you dont know what it is? ill show ya, ill get a picture up soon.
-Shaft tips: If you play crease try to get a few more inches on the stick like maby 61 or 62 inches. But for me i play wing so i use a 56-59 inch shaft. You may not think it makes that much of a differance but it does. Having a shorter shaft makes it was easyer to clear and those 1-2 extra inches on the shaft makes all the differance when you need that last little slap or poke.
-Other tips:
* Good body position is needed for one on one play and team defense.
* When playing one on one, break down in an athletic stance keeping your hips between your man and the goal. Shuffle your feet when moving. Do not cross your feet! you will fall on your face or you will get taken to the cage.
* Know your opponents strengths and take them away. Force the weak hand.
* When you slide, do it under control. Slide body on body.
* Communication is the key to good defense. Who has the ball, who has the slide, etc. Function as one unit!
* Take pride in the little things. Get after the ground balls! Start the offense! DONT HIT ANYONE WITHIN 5 YARDS IT COUGHT ME A FEW TIMES!!!
* Attitude, you will not get beat!
* Your goal should be to keep your body between the defender and your stick.
The biggest key to playing defense is footwork. DONT FORGET IT!!!
Drills to get better footwork: Ankle weight, get some and do side steps. Alastic Band, attach to ankles and jump up and pull your feet apart. Ladder drill(my fav!): get a lader or tires and jump in and out of them forward and back. Then go sideways up and down/in and out of the tires or the ladder.
I know that this stuff might not make since to you because me and you are two differant people but if you want me to explane further PM or post and ill help ya as much as i can!
More stuff to come if you are a visual person ill get some videos up in a little! stand by!
YouTube - slide check force bad pass (there is a slide where the other D men coems to help out his man its simple but hey it might help.