--- title: A Defender's Guide to Defense description: Defensive lacrosse tips to elevate your game, shared by Matt Dunn. Key focus areas include footwork, contact control, eye discipline, anticipation, and communication. image: https://www.1stclasslax.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-04-24%20at%205.58.29%20PM.png --- [Skip to the main content.](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/matt-dunn-guide-to-defense#main-content) [![First Class Lacrosse, Deemer Class, Best In Class](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20Logo/Primary%20Logo%20with%20Trademark.png?width=990&height=660&name=Primary%20Logo%20with%20Trademark.png "First Class Lacrosse, Deemer Class, Best In Class")](https://www.1stclasslax.com/) [![First Class Lacrosse, Deemer Class, Best In Class](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20Logo/Primary%20Logo%20with%20Trademark.png?width=990&height=660&name=Primary%20Logo%20with%20Trademark.png "First Class Lacrosse, Deemer Class, Best In Class")](https://www.1stclasslax.com/) - [About Us](https://www.1stclasslax.com/about) - Events - Best In Class - [Fall 2026 Showcase Men's and Women's](https://www.1stclasslax.com/best-in-class-fall) - 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[Coaches Membership](https://www.1stclasslax.com/coaches-membership-community) - [Media](https://www.1stclasslax.com/media) - [Shop](https://shop.1stclasslax.com/collections/all?utm_source=website&utm_medium=nav&utm_campaign=merch) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/firstclasslacrosse) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/firstclasslacrosse/) [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-class-lacrosse?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F) [X](https://twitter.com/firstclasslax_?s=20&t=E0teTtYfCs-3LdkMj5A7hw) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@firstclasslax?sub_confirmation=1) [Tiktok](https://www.tiktok.com/@firstclasslacrosse) 2 min read # A Defender's Guide to Defense [![Picture of Matt Dunn](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogs/Dunn%20Headshot.png?width=30&height=30&name=Dunn%20Headshot.png) Matt Dunn](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/author/matt-dunn-matt-dunn-graduated-from-the-university-of-maryland2016-and-is-currently-a-professional-lacrosse-playerboth-the-premier-lacrosse-league-pll-for-the-whipsnakes-lc-and) : Published April 24, 2025 Updated April 25, 2025 [Defense](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/tag/defense) [Coaching](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/tag/coaching) [Men's Lacrosse](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/tag/mens-lacrosse) ![defender in lacrosse breaking down on the ball.](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-04-24%20at%205.58.29%20PM.png?width=1174&height=802&name=Screenshot%202025-04-24%20at%205.58.29%20PM.png) This is a noncomprehensive list of things I believe defenders in men's lacrosse should focus on to become better players. Some people might disagree — that’s fine. These are concepts that have helped me, and most of them come from coaches and players I consider among the best minds in the game. When I was younger, I was always hungry to figure out how to actually play defense at a high level. One of my biggest goals now is to share that knowledge as widely as possible. I’ll keep updating this list over time. It’s not gospel — just a set of priorities I think are worth considering. \- Matt ## A defensive checklist for Men's Lacrosse 1\. Feet first - Learn how to use your hands and stick, but only as complements to your feet. Your base wins the matchup. Coach Bernhardt (Maryland DC) breaks this down incredibly in his [webinar with us](https://first-class-lacrosse.circle.so/c/webinar-recordings/jesse-bernhardt-maryland-on-ball-defensive-drills-techniques).  2\. Absorb contact - So many defenders want to meet contact with heavy contact. Instead, absorb and control it with your chin up, hips down, and strong posture. 3\. Become an elite lateral mover - Master the shuffle, the lateral run, and the ability to change direction without losing your stance or balance. Be efficient, don’t hop. Learn to drive explosively off your trail leg.  4\. Prioritize eye discipline - On-ball, keep your eyes on the hips to stay low and engaged. Low eyes lead to low body posture. Off-ball, scan both your man and the ball to perceive the situation and stay connected to the full play. 5\. Defend access to space, not the person - Your job is not just chasing a dodger around. It's denying them access to dangerous areas on the field. Defend their path by playing angles and keeping appropriate leverage. 6\. Get under the glove - The most disruptive defenders control the bottom hand. Win the leverage battle by staying low and under the attacker's glove. 7\. Develop proper stick mechanics - Most players don't have efficient mechanics. Catch with soft hands, cradle and pass with the stick in your fingers, use your body to generate power, and snap the ball with your wrist — not by pushing or muscling it. 8\. Prioritize off-ball posture - Play sideways whenever possible. Be low, athletic, and ready to check, hedge, slide, or recover based on what the team needs. 9\. Prioritize your approach - Approaches start off-ball. Flow early, move with purpose, and be set by the time the ball arrives. Establish favorable leverage to the area of the field you want to take away. 10\. "Do your work while the ball is in the air" - Shift, anticipate, and position yourself before your man catches it. Flow to where you need to be, not where the ball was. The ball cannot change direction in the air. Coach Paul Richards (Richmond Men's DC) dropped this quote on [his webinar with us](https://first-class-lacrosse.circle.so/c/webinar-recordings/paul-richards-slide-recovery-drills) -- he cited Coach Alberici (Army HC) as where he first heard it.  11\. Anticipate the play before it happens - Use every piece of information available — matchup, location, body language — to anticipate the next move before it happens. 12\. Act with urgency - Whether it's sliding, recovering, picking up a ground ball, or closing space on an approach, act with urgency. Great defenders treat every moment like it matters. 13\. Be the communicator - Take it upon yourself to be the organizer of your unit. Set the tone by being early, loud, and clear with your communication. 14\. Mental reps are a cheat code; visualize - Study film, visualize scenarios, and mentally walk through your responsibilities. Preparation sharpens your anticipation and lets you play with clarity. 15\. Be patient on checks - Slap and dig when dodgers step away. Contain when they attack you. Lift and skewer from the trail if they get a step. Wait until their hands come up to shoot or pass — don't chase checks and lose positioning. Remember, feet and posture come first. ### Get Premium content for players, parents or coaches Check out our community and become a member to view drills, webinars, film breakdowns, courses and more. Usecode*BLOG15 for an exclusive discount to our membership community on Circle!* **[Join Today 👉](https://www.1stclasslax.com/players-and-parents-membership-community)** - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) #### [Developing Elite Lacrosse Defenders: Tips & Drills from Jesse Bernhardt](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/jesse-bernhardt-lacrosse-defense-drills) [![Picture of Matt Dunn](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogs/Dunn%20Headshot.png?width=30&name=Dunn%20Headshot.png) Matt Dunn](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/author/matt-dunn-matt-dunn-graduated-from-the-university-of-maryland2016-and-is-currently-a-professional-lacrosse-playerboth-the-premier-lacrosse-league-pll-for-the-whipsnakes-lc-and) : Mar 20, 2025, 3:03:06 PM Learn key on-ball defensive techniques and drills from Maryland DC Jesse Bernhardt. This webinar recap covers footwork, contact strategies, stick... [Defense](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/tag/defense) [Coaching](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/tag/coaching) [Men's Lacrosse](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/tag/mens-lacrosse) [Read More](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/jesse-bernhardt-lacrosse-defense-drills) #### [Deep Dive: 3 Ways to Defend Passing Lanes](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/defending-passing-lanes) [![Picture of Matt Dunn](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogs/Dunn%20Headshot.png?width=30&name=Dunn%20Headshot.png) Matt Dunn](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/author/matt-dunn-matt-dunn-graduated-from-the-university-of-maryland2016-and-is-currently-a-professional-lacrosse-playerboth-the-premier-lacrosse-league-pll-for-the-whipsnakes-lc-and) : Jan 23, 2025, 10:51:35 AM Discover essential lacrosse strategies to defend passing lanes, cover multiple off-ball players, and disrupt offenses with expert drills and tips. [Defense](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/tag/defense) [Coaching](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/tag/coaching) [Men's Lacrosse](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/tag/mens-lacrosse) [Read More](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/defending-passing-lanes) #### [How to Standout as a Defender (Vol. 2)](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/how-to-standout-as-a-defender-vol.-2) [![Picture of Matt Dunn](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogs/Dunn%20Headshot.png?width=30&name=Dunn%20Headshot.png) Matt Dunn](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/author/matt-dunn-matt-dunn-graduated-from-the-university-of-maryland2016-and-is-currently-a-professional-lacrosse-playerboth-the-premier-lacrosse-league-pll-for-the-whipsnakes-lc-and) : Oct 21, 2025, 9:22:20 AM Every fall, defenders ask how to stand out at showcases. This guide breaks down what college coaches actually notice—effort, awareness, body... 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[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/1stclasslacrosse/)[X](https://twitter.com/firstclasslax_)[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/firstclasslacrosse/)[Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-class-lacrosse)[YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@firstclasslax?sub_confirmation=1) [Tiktok](https://www.tiktok.com/@firstclasslacrosse) Return to top ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : [ { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Matt Dunn", "url" : "https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/author/matt-dunn-matt-dunn-graduated-from-the-university-of-maryland2016-and-is-currently-a-professional-lacrosse-playerboth-the-premier-lacrosse-league-pll-for-the-whipsnakes-lc-and" } ], "dateModified" : "2025-04-25T17:08:46Z", "datePublished" : "2025-04-24T22:29:56Z", "description" : "Defensive lacrosse tips to elevate your game, shared by Matt Dunn. Key focus areas include footwork, contact control, eye discipline, anticipation, and communication.", "headline" : "A Defender's Guide to Defense", "image" : [ "https://9260438.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/9260438/Screenshot%202025-04-24%20at%205.58.29%20PM.png" ], "inLanguage" : "en", "keywords" : "Defense, Coaching, Men's Lacrosse", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/matt-dunn-guide-to-defense", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "First Class Lacrosse" } } ```