“Orange” Zone Defense

Orange Zone DefenseBasic Principles

• Two short sticks up top cover zones 3 & 4.• Two long stick wing defense cover zones 2 & 5.• One long stick as low backer.• One long stick as high backer.• Low backer covers zone 1.• If ball is up top high backer is hot and low backer is hot

two.• If ball is down low, low backer is hot and high backer is

hot two.• Goalie must have great communication skills and players

must trust there goalie. (Lots of talk is key to success)

What are the Zones?1

2

34

5

GLE

RW LW

TLTR

HB

LB

Low Backer Responsibilities

• Hot two when ball is up top.• Covers zone one (1) when being attacked and plays as

deep as the back of the crease. • Can add a call to pressure ball as needed @ X• Covers any man that is attacking the right or left post.• Must never give up top side on “X” dodges; must turn

man to the inside. • When he is hot two and slides he must front the man on

the crease. Can not play soft on check calls.• Must be Physical, Aggressive, & Smart.• Three P’s Position, Poke Check, Patients.

High Backer Responsibilities

• Hot two when ball is down low.• Covers the high hub zone. Must slide early when dodges come from up top.• Supports any teammate that needs help.• When he is hot two and slides he must front the

man on the crease.• Must be Physical, Aggressive, & Smart.• Position, Poke Check, Patients.

Short Stick Responsibilities• Do not get swept, force dodger down wing

hand him off to next zone.• When ball is down low opposite you pack in on back side help with two man crease sets.• Support high backer when he needs help.• Keep head on swivel and watch for cutters

flowing thru your zone and high backer zone.• Their zone can go as far as GLE if it needs to.• Must be Physical, Aggressive, & Smart.• Three P’s Position, Poke Check, Patients.

Slide & Recover “X” DodgeA

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A

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LPLP

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HB

LB

M

LB

A

Slide & Recover Wing DodgeA

A

MM

A

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LP LP

SSSS

HB

LB

M

Dodge From Up TopA

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MM

A

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LP

LP

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HB

LB

M

General Information• You can change slide package as you see fit.• Adjacent slides can be effective providing your

two slide can get back into position. Or you need to have a look away call but then you get a short stick on the crease as a HB or LB this is not always the best situation. Teach it before you do it.

• Adjacent slides up top you need to force players to the middle of the field. (see next slide)

• This gives a clear look at cage for shooter you can not be late on slides and you must be aggressive on double and get in shooting lanes with body.

Adjacent Slide Up TopA

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MM

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LP LP

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HB

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LB