What kind of kid plays Defense?

[Anonymous]

At his age, he should just play and learn to throw and catch. In the long run, defensemen tend to be bigger and stronger while attackmen are smaller, quicker, and more skilled.

On the top teams, the poles or other defenders are arguably the best athletes. In a few years, you'll start to see it. Until then, have fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why isn't anyone telling her that her son isn't going to be 6 feet or taller, D is not the way to go. I pulled my son out of D at the same age because he will be lucky to hit 5'10" given his genes.

Because not all of us make decisions about our 9 year old’s future based on the assumption that they’ll be playing Division 1 lacrosse.

It is also true for club and HS lax around here.

If he is playing D he is not developing other skills needed for the other positions. No reason to waste time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At his age, he should just play and learn to throw and catch.

Correct. The best long poles have great stickwork and can use both hands. At 9U, he should be only using a short stick and be able to use both hands. Then move up. I'd even argue that a player should continue to work with a regular stick to improve using both hands. It is easier to transtition up. My son plays attack and can pick up a long pole and has better stick work with both hands than most of the long poles on his team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At that age all players should play all positions. Work on skill development. However fun is the first and main priority. Coaching at that age group kids played all positions.

Our area is extremely competitive already with 9U and it's not even close to equal playing time and many kids only play certain positions.

As much as I detest the notion of a highly competitive 9U team, it is worse that they do not offer equal playing time. My advise would be to run away from a team and club like that. If your son is serious about lacrosse later on toward 8th-9th grade, they can always try out for and make a highly competitive team that plays in top events. Having been around the sport a while, I would guarantee that 80% or more of players on this team are not on the team in 5 seasons. By HS it will be less than that. Focus on a team where all kids play and all kids play all positions even step in the cage for at least a game.

[Anonymous]

Agility and a strong lax IQ.

Watching tons of games (even on YouTube) could help.

My kid is a long pole playing club at a college in MD. When he was younger he played with older kids any chance he could get. When he was tiny, he went up against taller kids like a chihuahua.

Be a chihuahua. Speed matters a lot. Attitude is also really important. His goalie needs to trust him.

[Anonymous]

Generally speaking, bigger/faster/stronger with an angry, hard working heart.