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Don't rush an attackman after he
has caught the ball. If he is receiving a rather long
pass and you are sure you can reach him before the ball,
go after him, checking his stick and hitting him with
your body.
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As a pass is made to the man you
are playing, move out to cover him as the ball is moving
to him, so that you are in position as he catches it.
Don't wait until he has caught the ball, and then move
out on him.
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Never take a step into a man
while playing him on defense.
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Once the attack man has the ball,
worry him plenty by poke checking, etc., don't give much
chance to look over his field, make him worry about you.
Don't force or rush him however. There is a big
difference between worrying a man and forcing or rushing
him. Make the attack make the first move.
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When not poking at the man with
ball, keep your stick a little above the height of your
attack man's shoulder. Don't ever carry it at your side,
KEEP IT UP!
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When your man hasn't got the
ball, always play slightly to the ball side of him, so
that you gain a step as he cuts toward the ball. If he
cuts away from the ball, the pass must go over your head
which leaves you in good position to intercept or check.
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When your man hasn't got the
ball, stand sideways to the man and ball. You must use
split vision watching both man and ball.
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There must be plenty of talk on
defense, this is important. The following are the most
important examples: a) The man on each side of the ball
must let the man on the ball know if he is-backed up. b)
If a man leaves to back up he must let the defense know
he is leaving, so that they may shift. c) The man
playing the ball must holler, "I've got-the ball". d) If
a man cuts, the defense man playing him should holler
"man cutting" so that he alerts the rest of the defense
for a possible switch. e) If a switch is necessary, both
men call "SWITCH".
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If a man leaves to back up on a
dodge, the whole defense slides a man, leaving the man
farthest from the ball open.
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Only in extreme cases, should the
defense man on the crease leave to back up. Example: To
stop a play that would end up in a score.
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Never cross your feet while
playing an attack man unless you are forced to run to
keep up with him.
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Never throw a ball just to get
rid of it.
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Always scoop a loose ball. Never
draw it. If there is a crowd, go through and either kick
it or scoop it up.
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When you check, make your check
short and hard, making your check across the man's
forearm and following through with your body. Never
raise your stick high to check.
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If a man dodges you, keep after
him. You should catch him as your backer comes in from
the front.
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Never pass a ball across in front
of your goal.
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If you are after a loose ball,
but your attack man is ahead of you, press him hard if
you cannot come up with the ball, but don't give him the
opportunity to go around you.
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After the man you are playing
throws a ball, step back two steps quickly and be ready
for a cut. Also always look in the direction of the ball
as you drop off. Don't turn your back on the ball.
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As the man you are playing starts
a pass, check across his arms, but don't step in.
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A. If the ball is out front, and
your man is behind the goal, play on the pipe of the
cage on the side of the goal your man is on. B. If the
ball is behind the goal and your man is behind also
although without the ball, go behind with him.
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If you ever switch, STAY WITH
THAT MAN until your team gets the ball or you have to
switch again.
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When clearing the ball, as you
catch the ball, circle away from your stick side if you
are moving in to receive the pass.
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Never let an attackman clamp your
stick. If you are on the crease on a screen shot, stop
it or catch it, if you can't do either then move so that
your goalie can see it.
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Once the other team has cleared
the ball, all defense men must drop in fast, RUN HARD --
THIS IS ONE TIME YOU CANNOT LOAF.
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On clears, make all passes sharp,
away from the (attackman) and, as a general rule, to the
nearest open man.
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On a clear, when making a pass to
a man who is coming in to meet the ball throw at his
face, so that he catches the ball in front of him,
making it hard for a (attack man) to check him.
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If the ball is rolling toward the
midfield line, NEVER ALLOW your attack man to beat you
to the ball. Be alert, use your stick to goose the ball
to teammate. Don't let the attackman clamp your stick or
lift up so ball goes under and through. Remember, if the
ball is 5 yards away or less you can use your body for
position. Don't hit from the rear and don't go offside.