Short Stick Defense Lacrosse: The Unsung Heroes of the Game

What makes short stick defensive midfielders crucial to a lacrosse team’s success. How do these players contribute without scoring goals. Why is the position considered undervalued yet essential by coaches.

The Vital Role of Short Stick Defensive Midfielders in Lacrosse

In the fast-paced world of lacrosse, short stick defensive midfielders often go unnoticed by spectators, yet they play a pivotal role in a team’s success. These players embody the essence of teamwork, sacrificing personal glory for the greater good of their squad. But what exactly makes this position so crucial?

Short stick defensive midfielders are tasked with defending against offensive players while using a shorter stick than their long pole counterparts. This puts them at a significant disadvantage, requiring exceptional footwork, conditioning, and mental toughness to excel.

Key Attributes of Short Stick Defensive Midfielders

• Exceptional footwork and agility
• Superior conditioning and stamina
• Mental toughness and resilience
• Selflessness and team-first mentality
• Strong fundamental skills

These players are often the unsung heroes of the game, rarely receiving recognition for their contributions. Their success is measured not by goals or assists, but by their ability to shut down opposing offenses and transition the ball to their own attackers.

The Challenges Faced by Short Stick Defensive Midfielders

Playing as a short stick defensive midfielder comes with unique challenges. How do these players overcome the disadvantage of using a shorter stick? The key lies in their focus on fundamentals and physical conditioning.

Dan Burns, a professional player for the Chesapeake Bayhawks, emphasizes the importance of leg strength and positioning: “Your whole game is in your legs. Offensive guys have the slick sticks while we care about our legs, fundamentals, playing angles and conditioning.”

Overcoming the Short Stick Disadvantage

1. Emphasizing footwork and body positioning
2. Developing superior conditioning
3. Mastering defensive angles
4. Perfecting stick skills within limitations
5. Building mental toughness to handle constant challenges

These players must constantly work on their skills and fitness to compete at the highest level. Their ability to neutralize offensive threats despite their equipment disadvantage is a testament to their dedication and skill.

The Mental Game: Mindset of a Short Stick Defensive Midfielder

What kind of mindset does it take to excel as a short stick defensive midfielder? These players must possess a unique combination of humility and confidence. They need to be willing to put in the hard work without expecting recognition, while also maintaining the self-assurance to take on the opposing team’s best offensive players.

Lehigh head coach and U.S. assistant Kevin Cassese describes the ideal short stick defensive midfielder as “the toughest and most selfless” player on the team. This mentality is crucial for success in a position that often goes unnoticed by fans but is highly valued by coaches.

Psychological Traits of Successful Short Stick Defensive Midfielders

• Resilience in the face of constant challenges
• Confidence to take on elite offensive players
• Humility to prioritize team success over personal glory
• Mental toughness to bounce back from setbacks
• Competitive drive to improve and overcome disadvantages

These psychological traits allow short stick defensive midfielders to thrive in a role that demands constant effort with little tangible reward. Their ability to maintain a positive attitude and strong work ethic despite the challenges is what sets them apart.

The Impact of Short Stick Defensive Midfielders on Team Success

How do short stick defensive midfielders contribute to their team’s overall success? While their contributions may not always show up on the stat sheet, these players have a significant impact on the game’s outcome.

Chesapeake Bayhawks head coach Dave Cottle emphasizes the importance of these players, especially in transition: “We put our shorties out there to play defense. They’re playing against the other team’s first and second lines.” This highlights the critical role these midfielders play in disrupting the opposing team’s offensive flow.

Key Contributions of Short Stick Defensive Midfielders

1. Shutting down opposing offensive midfielders
2. Facilitating quick transitions from defense to offense
3. Providing defensive support in unsettled situations
4. Maintaining team defensive structure
5. Setting an example of hustle and determination

By excelling in these areas, short stick defensive midfielders help create a strong defensive foundation for their team, allowing other players to focus on their offensive responsibilities with confidence.

The Evolution of the Short Stick Defensive Midfielder Role

How has the role of short stick defensive midfielders evolved in modern lacrosse? As the game has become faster and more offense-oriented, these players have had to adapt their skills and strategies to keep up with the changing landscape.

In the past, defensive midfielders might have been viewed simply as players who couldn’t cut it on offense. However, today’s short stick defensive specialists are often among the most athletic and versatile players on the field. They need to be able to defend against elite offensive players, transition quickly, and occasionally contribute on offense as well.

Modern Skills Required for Short Stick Defensive Midfielders

• Advanced stick skills for both defense and clearing
• Ability to defend in both one-on-one and team defensive schemes
• Exceptional field awareness and lacrosse IQ
• Versatility to contribute in offensive transitions
• Superior communication skills to coordinate defensive efforts

As the game continues to evolve, short stick defensive midfielders will likely need to further expand their skill sets to remain effective against increasingly sophisticated offenses.

Training and Development for Aspiring Short Stick Defensive Midfielders

What does it take to become an elite short stick defensive midfielder? The path to excellence in this position requires a dedicated approach to training and skill development. Aspiring players must focus on a combination of physical conditioning, fundamental skills, and mental preparation.

Dan Burns emphasizes the importance of conditioning: “Our main focus is being in shape which goes a long way at our position.” This highlights the need for a rigorous fitness regimen that goes beyond traditional lacrosse drills.

Key Training Areas for Short Stick Defensive Midfielders

1. Cardiovascular endurance and sprint training
2. Footwork and agility drills
3. Stick skills with emphasis on defensive techniques
4. One-on-one defensive positioning and body control
5. Mental toughness and resilience exercises

Coaches and players should focus on developing these areas to create well-rounded short stick defensive midfielders capable of impacting the game in multiple ways.

The Future of Short Stick Defense in Lacrosse

As lacrosse continues to grow in popularity and evolve as a sport, what does the future hold for short stick defensive midfielders? The position is likely to become even more specialized and valued as teams recognize the impact these players can have on the game.

We may see an increased emphasis on developing athletes specifically for this role, rather than converting offensive players who couldn’t make the cut. This could lead to a new breed of defensive specialists who combine elite athleticism with advanced defensive techniques and strategies.

Potential Developments in Short Stick Defense

• Increased specialization and positional coaching
• Advanced analytics to measure defensive impact
• New defensive schemes designed around short stick midfielders
• Greater recognition and awards for defensive contributions
• Evolution of equipment to aid short stick defenders

As the game continues to advance, short stick defensive midfielders will likely play an increasingly crucial role in determining team success at all levels of lacrosse.

In conclusion, short stick defensive midfielders represent the epitome of teamwork and sacrifice in lacrosse. These unsung heroes contribute immensely to their team’s success, often without recognition or glory. As the sport evolves, their importance will only continue to grow, solidifying their place as essential components of any successful lacrosse team.

The dedication, skill, and mental toughness required to excel in this position make short stick defensive midfielders some of the most respected players among coaches and teammates. While they may not receive the same accolades as goal scorers or flashy offensive players, their impact on the game is undeniable.

As we look to the future of lacrosse, it’s clear that short stick defensive midfielders will continue to play a vital role in shaping the sport. Their ability to neutralize offensive threats, facilitate transitions, and embody the team-first mentality makes them invaluable assets to any squad.

For young players considering which position to pursue, the role of short stick defensive midfielder offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the game while developing a wide range of skills. While it may not be the most glamorous position, it is undoubtedly one of the most important and rewarding roles on the lacrosse field.

As the sport continues to grow and evolve, we can expect to see even greater emphasis placed on the development and recognition of these crucial players. The future of lacrosse will undoubtedly be shaped, in part, by the continued evolution and importance of short stick defensive midfielders.

The Most Unassuming, but Important Position in Lacrosse – In Lacrosse We Trust

Lacrosse players dream of scoring the game-winning goal, winning the crucial fourth-quarter faceoff or making the big save. How many dream of good footwork and good stickwork? How about sprinting back and forth between offense and defense?

Those dreams are few and far between, likely even nonexistent for young lacrosse players. In reality, these are some of the key attributes for the game’s most undervalued, yet important positions… short-stick defensive midfield.

There’s an important disclaimer. The position is undervalued in terms of the average spectator’s view, not in coaches’ eyes. In fact, coaches across the board couldn’t speak more highly of the position’s significance.

“The position typically isn’t heralded or glorious, but it’s incredibly important to the overall success of a team,” said Lehigh head coach and current U.S. assistant Kevin Cassese, who played defensive midfield for Team USA in 2010. “We typically look for the guys who are the toughest and most selfless.”

One definition of selfless is “concerned more with the needs and wishes of others than with one’s own.” Short-stick defensive midfielders rarely have stats. They record some groundballs and some transition goals here and there, but a defensive midfielder often enjoys a standout performance without recording a single stat.

In this day and age of television and new media that promotes individual performance, defensive midfielders are a breath of fresh air. They are truly most concerned about team success. In making their decision to play the position, they decided to forego most opportunities for individual recognition.

“Going in, you know that it’s an unsung position,” said Dan Burns of the Chesapeake Bayhawks who was named to Team USA’s 23-man roster on Monday. “If someone doesn’t say you had a bad game, you’ve likely had a good game. If you don’t get yelled at, you’re not really going to be told good game. It’s a different type of person who plays the position.”

Defensive midfielders are expected to perform the same task as close defensemen and long-stick midfielders who have a six-foot pole. It’s like a baseball player trying to hit a fastball with a smaller bat or a basketball player shooting into a smaller hoop.

“You’re at a disadvantage, but you have to go back to your fundamentals and remember that you’re not really playing with your stick,” said Burns. “Your whole game is in your legs. Offensive guys have the slick sticks while we care about our legs, fundamentals, playing angles and conditioning. Our main focus is being in shape which goes a long way at our position.”

These players need to be well conditioned because they play more than anyone else.

“For us, we don’t win a lot of faceoffs so we put our shorties out there to play defense,” said Chesapeake head coach Dave Cottle. “They’re playing against the other team’s first and second lines.”

To stay in tip-top shape, short-stick defensive midfielders need to have a work ethic unlike any other.

“Defensive midfielders have to work extraordinarily hard. They’re the ones who get targeted by the opposing team,” said Cassese.

With that hard work, defensive midfielders take pride in stepping up to any challenge.

“When your opponent screams ‘take the shorties,’ you sort of pump your chest and ‘say bring it on,’” said Burns. “It’s a team sport, but you take that one-on-one matchup very seriously. If you can take that guy out of his game without needing the defense to rotate, it goes a long way. You need a bit of an ego in that respect… and a lot of confidence.”

“They’re the toughest guys on the field because they get taken every game over and over again,” said Cottle. “They need to have a cornerback mentality and be able to put a play behind them.”

The Bayhawks feature three of the four short-stick defensive midfielders who made Team USA’s cut of 31 players and two who made the final roster of 23 (Burns and Matt Abbott). Burns was almost primarily a defensive midfielder in college (where he walked on at the University of Maryland) while Jeff Reynolds began his Maryland career as a defensive middie and played some offense as well. Abbott is the classic “two-way midfielder” who played both ways at Syracuse and has settled into a defensive role in the MLL, although he has seen his fair share of time on offense as well.

Short-stick defensive midfielders come from many different backgrounds with each having their own mix of strengths. There are significant common denominators which all shorties face.

“Those guys typically have an incredible chip on their shoulder,” said Cassese. “They just have to be relentless. For Team USA, we need those type guys at the highest athletic level possible.”

Why would someone play a position that requires so much work, but so few tangible rewards? It truly takes a team-first approach. It’s a position where if you’re not noticed, it usually means you had a good day.

“Defensive midfield is a gritty position,” said Reynolds. “You could score goals in transition, but if you stop people from scoring and are not noticed, you did your job. It’s not very glorifying. ”

“We don’t really care about who gets credit,” said Burns. “We care about playing good team defense and helping each other out.”

Defensive midfield is arguably more challenging in the professional ranks than college. Because of the MLL’s elite talent level, teams can match up elite talent with their long poles, but the offense’s fifth or sixth options were likely All-Americans themselves.

“You pick your poison out there,” said Abbot. “There are no weak links in this league. You start with a game plan of putting a pole on one guy and matching up short sticks on the other two. Sometimes you have to make adjustments. Guys get hot, guys get cold, but it’s our job to play good one-on-one defense and play good team defense to the best of our abilities.”

The position has grown in importance and recognition over the past few years (remember Josh Hawkins who led Loyola to the 2012 National Championship), but still isn’t getting the attention or recognition it deserves.

How many times do you see TV make a “player spotlight” on a defensive midfielder? The focus is usually on the goalie, close defense or even long-stick midfielder when in reality, short-stick midfielders are the glue that holds a defense together. Remember, offenses usually start with “attacking the shorties.” Success of a defense begins with short-stick defensive midfielders doing their job.

“Lacrosse is such a team sport,” said Abbott. “You want to play one-on-one well and win your one-on-one matchup, but on-ball defense is a small part of the equation. There is also playing off ball, communicating and working together. Not only playing good defense, but getting the ball and pushing in transition.”

The dynamic of the position is different at different levels. For example, with no shot clock in college and the international game, the defensive midfielders usually help clear the ball then leave it for the attackmen and offensive midfielders. You see transition opportunities, but not as frequently as the MLL with its 60-second shot clock.

“In the MLL, you get push opportunities,” said Reynolds. “In the international game, you might as well get it to the offense so they can get the possession and get a good look versus pushing and making a dumb shot. ”

Even though it’s less prevalent in college, transition goals are still a common occurrence in college. One example is Loyola’s Pat Laconi, who had 11 goals this season from defensive midfield.

If you’re an aspiring lacrosse player and may not have the stick skills to be an attackman or the quickness to be a goalie, but are incredibly tough, resilient and team-oriented, then short-stick defensive midfield might be the position for you.

“If your skillset matches up for you to be a good defensive midfield—you’re a good athlete, you’re quick, you’re physical and have good stick skills (because you can’t play defense then not pick the ball up)—then go for it,” said Abbott.

Abbott, Burns and Reynolds are three examples of players who may not receive the glamor or recognition of a goal-scorer, but they are among the elite players at an incredibly important position. Abbott and Burns get to represent their country at the game’s highest level (World Lacrosse Championships) while Reynolds was among the last 31 players in the nation on Team USA, which isn’t too shabby itself.

For all the extraneous aspects of the position, everything goes back to basics. The number one priority and focus is clear.

“Stop the ball,” said Reynolds. “You’re going to be attacked. Before you even think about transition, before you even think about getting the ball to offense, you’ve got to stop it. We contribute to that, but it’s a team defense and we want it to be that way.”

Posted in Columnists, FeatSlider, MLL

Lacrosse 101 – Learn the Game!

Lacrosse Penalties

Personal Fouls – These are infractions of a serious nature which carry the consequence of being “suspended” from the game for various periods of time depending on the number and severity of the personal foul. A player’s penalty could be for one minute to three minutes, to possibly being suspended from the game entirely. This decision is at the discretion of the officials.

Cross Check – This is considered a physical act of one player on another with the stick between the player’s hands.

Illegal Body Check – This occurs when a player checks another player who is not within 5 yards of the ball, making this a “late hit”. Contact from behind or above the shoudlers or beloew the waist are considered illegal contact.

Tripping – Obstructing a player at or below the waist with any part of the stick or body, but this must be an intentional act.

Unnecessary Roughness – This is the deliberate, violent and unnecessary use of force on the field against an opposing player or could be an infraction of the rules by being excessively violent when holding or pushing another player.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct – Occurring when a person who represents a team attempts to argue with or influence the decision of a game official, using threatening language, profance or abusive speech, offensive lanuage or gestures during the game. This also includes baiting another player, taunting, or the overall act that the official may consider to be unsportsmanlike.

Illegal Crosse – The use of a crosse (stick) which does not conform to rules and league standards.

Holding – When a player impedes or interferes with an opponent’s stick movement.

Off-Side – This happens when there are more than six players on the opponents side of the field. It can also occur when a defensive player crosses the center line as the ball is being cleared up the field and all three middies have prgoressed past the center line.

Warding Off – This occurs when a player with the ball uses his/her free hand or any part of his/her body to hold, push or control the stick or body of the opposing player.

Stalling – A team is intentionally holding the ball without any advancement towards the goal.

Screening – An offensive player moves into or makes contact with a defender with the purpose of blocking the defensive player from the opponent being played.

Illegal Procedure – This is a term that includes touching of the ball by a player other than the goalie, playing in the game withouta stick, use of illegal equipment, avoidable latenss of the team, placing the stick in an opponents face, entering the game prior to expiration of a penalty, delay of game, more than 10 players on the field, and illegally playing out of bounds.

Interference – On eplayer obstructs with the free movement of another player. Exceptions are when an opponent has the ball and a player is within 5 feet of the opponent, the ball is loose or on the fly, and when both players are withing 5 feet of the ball.

Pushing – When a player thrusts or shoves another player from behind. Pushing is permitted from the front and sides when an opponent has possession of the ball or is within 5 yards of a loose ball.

How to choose the right hockey stick

Choosing the right hockey stick is very important and largely determines the course and result of the game. The selection process reflects the personal and professional qualities of the athlete. How to do it right for those who are just starting to play hockey …

A stick is a sports equipment with which players move the puck or ball around the court during the game.

All clubs are divided into the following age groups:

• 4 – 7 years old – children. The product is labeled Youth or yth.
• 7 – 14 years old – teenage (labeled Junior or jr).
• 14 – 17 years old – youth (labeled Intermediate or int).
• over 17 years old – for adult hockey players (marked as Senior or sr).

When buying a hockey stick, one of the most important parameters is the length. In many ways, the hockey player’s style of play depends on it.

The stick is the perfect choice for the player with good ball handling and dribbling skills. A shorter stick is lighter and lighter in size, making it easier to handle the puck in tight spaces.

The medium stick is typically used by all-round players. It allows you to demonstrate a decent level of dribbling, make interceptions, throw quite powerful shots, and also play in the corners of the hockey rink, scratching the puck and creating serious threats in the patch in front of the net.

Long sticks are played by almost all defenders. They provide more options when destroying opponent’s attacks. In addition, the defenders have quite powerful clicks and, with the right throwing technique, long sticks make the shot even more powerful.

For the correct measurement of length, you need to stand straight in skates, looking in front of you. The stick is parallel to the body, and its blade rests on the floor or ice. Skates increase the player’s height by a few centimeters, so a stick that fits the length in regular shoes will be short.

It is not always possible to choose a club of the required length in the store. Therefore, if you bought too long, you can cut it to the right size. And when the child grows up, then, in order not to buy a new one, it will be possible to insert a special wooden extension cord. But keep in mind that the length of the club affects the flexibility. By shortening it, you lose flexibility.

Regarding the weight of the player, if you weigh less than 70 kg and your age is over 17 years old, it is recommended to buy a junior stick. In all other cases, be guided by your age.

When buying clubs, pay attention to what material they are made of. They are made of wood, plywood, aluminum and various composite materials.

Structurally, all hockey sticks can be divided into solid and composite. Whole models are called in which the handle and hook are one inseparable whole. The main advantage of composite structures is the relative cheapness of operation. In the event of a blade failure, as is often the case, only the blade needs to be replaced, not the entire stick. In addition, the hockey player gets the opportunity to experiment with different hooks, choosing the best one for himself.

The stiffness of the stick affects the quality of the shot taken during the game. In order to make a good throw, it must be bent. The more rigid the model, the harder it is to do. This figure depends primarily on the weight of the player. On the Easton scale, flexibility is indicated by a number from 40 to 120. Sticks vary in hardness (Easton scale):

1) Soft (65-75). Has the inscription whip.
2) Regular (75 – 85 – regular).
3) Rigid (85 – 100 – stiff).
4) Extra hard club (100 – 110 – x-stiff).
5) Very stiff (110 – 120 – xx-stiff).

Tough demands are placed on modern tools. The club must be perfectly balanced, the hook must not outweigh the base in any case. Some can even be operated with one hand. Many hockey sticks have the inscription Kick Zone, which means the kick zone. By clicking on it, the hockey player makes a strong throw.

Depending on the grip, the side to which the hook of the hockey stick will be bent is determined. It affects the power of strikes and their accuracy. The choice depends on whether the player is right-handed or left-handed. In accordance with this, you can buy a stick with a left or right bend. If it is more convenient to hold the club in the left hand, then it is needed with the right bend, and vice versa.