Team Defense A Top Priority!

Yesterday's practice focused on one of our main themes this spring - defensive organization and work rate. We've got a great core of both extremely intelligent defenders as well as blue collar defenders, so one of our keys this spring is to mesh these two mentalities. A lot of it goes back to my post from yesterday - communication!!!

We'll spend a lot of time working on small group defending because that foundation is something that gives you a chance in every game no matter who the opponent is. I've got a couple of basic rules for defending that I always try to emphasize:
1) You don't have to win the first ball in team defending-just make it predictable for everyone else.
2) If one player goes we all go!
3) Balls bouncing, backs turned to goal-these are chances to capitalize defensively.
4) Move as the ball moves.
5) Last but not least-remember the pressure is on the attackers; so as long as the ball is in front of you, for the most part you'll be fine.

One of the nice things is, we certainly have a group that is very talented and creative offensively so they will create chances no matter what. As long as we're organized and disciplined defensively we'll have a chance to win every game!