lax fax

1. Learn to play with either hand -- you must be able to change hands and play with confidence with either hand to be effective.
2. Play with your stick perpendicular to the ground -- keep the head of your stick protected by the head on your shoulders.
3. Move the ball, passing is faster than running -- always look for the quick pass to find the open man.
4. Pick it up and pass it, don't wait to get checked -- tuck your stick to get out of danger then find the open man.
5. Move without the ball, you usually don't have it (20 players, one ball, you do the math) -- find an opening, a lane, from the ball to you with no defender between.
6. Move to the ball, don't wait for the pass -- always move, you should never get the ball if you are standing still.
7. Look beyond the goalie, not at him, when you shoot -- don't make the goalie look good by hitting him, those bruises are a badge of honor, each one was NOT a goal.
8. Shoot quickly, you don't have time -- don't give the defenders and goalie the opportunity to get set, quick stick shots are your best weapon in close.
9. Defensemen and goalies need strong stickwork to clear the ball -- the clear is played 7 on 6, you should always get the ball down field.
10. Poke, poke, poke... keep jabbing at the ball carriers bottom hand not his stick -- do not give the attacker a chance to pass or shoot, maintain your distance.
11. You don't have to take the ball away to defend well -- your job is to prevent goals, do not overcommit or you will get beat!