Defense: FOOTWORK, FOOTWORK, FOOTWORK

Many times, defenders rely heavily on their arms and sticks when playing defense. However, this is incredibly easy for a smart attacker to expose. The key to playing great, disciplined defense is having solid footwork! Check out these tips and drills you can do right in your backyard to improve your footwork!

• Defense is heavily predicated on having good, disciplined footwork!
• Keys to improving your footwork:
  1. Stay low, your legs should burn!! Always stay low. We always want to sit in a good, low, athletic position so we are ready to change directions at any time. 
  2. Sit back in your hips-don't lean forward-it will throw you off balance 
  3. Stay ready on the balls of your feet 
  4. Do not cross your feet. When moving laterally we want to shuffle, but never cross our feet. Crossing our feet slows us down and is an easy way to trip ourselves up when trying to stay with an attacker.
  5. Do not click your heels. You want to stay on the balls of your feet with your feet directly under your hips. No need to take long straining strides in our shuffles but rather shorter more comfortable strides.
  6. Shuffle-Do not gallop
  7. Defensive footwork is extremely important. In order to do our jobs as defenders, we need to have quick and disciplined footwork. ​