[YOUR EDGE] coaches Man-to-Man or Zone?
Why switching defenses might not be the solution
Coach 1: “My players can't keep up with anyone. It seems like the other team’s offensive players just run right past them. The only way we can be successful on defense is to run a zone. Yes, that’s the solution. I’ll run a zone and all problems will be solved." Coach 2: “I guess we just have
to be a ball-control team. I put a zone in and they just don’t get it. Other teams are just running by them and scoring. I’m so frustrated this zone won’t work.” What skills must a defender possess to succeed in your man-to-man defense? Go ahead and make a list.
No, seriously. Make a list. What skills must a defender have to run a zone defense? Go ahead and make another list. Seriously, make a second list. If you’re thinking clearly, the two lists should be virtually identical. In either scenario, a well-trained defender:
• Has good footwork and speed. • Plays with stick up in passing lane. • Communicates well. • Makes good decisions. • Knows what to give and what to take from an offensive player.
So if we can all agree that defenders
need the same skills to play man-to- man as they need to play any form of zone, then why do we fall into the trap of thinking zone is the answer for weak individual defenders or poor team defensive skills?
Some think if the defender covering the ball gets beat, another defender will be there to engage the ball carrier in the next area of the fi eld.
Seven-Player Zone
Bryn Mawr (Md.) girls’ lacrosse co-coach and U.S. U19 assistant Wendy Kridel likes to match players’ strengths with certain positions in her zone defense. Kridel presented four progressions of a seven- player zone (pass-off, in-and-out protect middle,
TOP CENTER PLAYER
The defender at top-center spot should have good vision and fi eld sense to know when to extend and collapse. She’s the point person.
DIRECTLY LEFT AND RIGHT OF TOP CENTER These are your chasers, and should be your most athletic players.
TOP CORNERS The corners of your zone should have good peripheral vision.
LEFT AND RIGHT OF CREASE Your crease defenders are your best communicators and can direct traffi c around the goal.
66 LACROSSE MAGAZINE March 2014 >> A Publication of US Lacrosse
rotating and pressure) at the US Lacrosse National Convention, presented by Champion, in January. Regardless of the set, Kridel suggests you keep your players comfortable by putting them in suitable spots around the 8-meter arc and inside the 12-meter fan.
Want to see the four progressions in action? Registered convention attendees can view Kridel’s presentation for free at
prolibraries.com/uslacrosse. Non-attendees may also purchase convention sessions a la carte.
Sure, that all works well on paper. But that fails to address the offensive players away from the ball. Once one defender commits to a new mark, all of the defenders have new responsibilities. My point? When your defense is not
performing well, the hours you would invest in teaching a zone defense may be for naught. Instead of trying a new system of bumping and recovering, backer principles and the like, why not spend those hours refi ning your defenders’ individual skills? Once they improve individually as man-to-man defenders, then you can move into zone concepts like high-pressure defense, shut-offs and double-teams. Switching to zone itself is not the solution.
US L acrosse
Coaching education program — TJ Buchanan
US Lacrosse coaching education content manager
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76