Select Team Defense: Special Defense (Shock, Bonzai, Polar Bear)

Shock

Shock: Level of Play Shock should be used primarily by middle and high school teams that have a dominant, take- away defenseman. Youth teams can run it as well, but must have a long-pole that is skill enough, and possesses take-away checks sufficient to create turnovers. Level of Play (Shock)

Shock: Set-up Shock is a high-risk, high-reward defense that allows a take-away defenseman to take some chances and put pressure on the ball. This defense should be performed when and only when the teams best defender is on the ball. There are three scenarios in which Shock is best run. 1) After a missed shot while the ball is being picked up on the endline. In this situation it is both surprising and can take advantage of match-ups. Set-up (Shock)

Shock: Set-up 2) After a turnover when the ball is placed near the sideline and the ref has to blow the whistle to start play. This allows the rest of the defense to set-up correctly without giving the offense too much time to react. 3) After a timeout, which ensure that the defense is all on the same page. In addition, it is extremely effective in this situation because the offense may have a set up a special play which will be negated by pressure. Set-up (Shock Continued)

Near Man: Set-up Continued In “Near Man” the slide will come from the player towards whom the offender is dodging. The second slide comes from the next adjacent player and the third slide comes from the defensive player adjacent to the second slide and so on. All defense players are considered to be “on a string”, meaning that when the slide-man “goes”, everyone else must respond accordingly. Set-up (Near Man Continued)

Shock: Set Up (Midfield Dodge) M1 M2 M3 Long-pole D1 D2 D3

Shock: Execution The on ball defenseman wants to try to take the ball away from their man by throwing aggressive checks. The rest of the defense shuts off their men making sure that no passes can be throw to them. The on-ball defender needs to be patient because the remaining offensive players are shut off instead of throwing one home run check and getting beaten… Execution (Shock)

Shock: Execution While the other defenders wants to lock onto their men, they still need to be somewhat aware of what’s going on with the ball. In case of emergency, such as the take-away defender slipping and falling, the defense needs to be prepared to slide—in Crash or Near Man depending on the situation (whether or not there is a man on the crease). Execution (Shock Continued)

Shock: Set Up (Midfield Dodge)

Shock: Final Thoughts Shock is, again, a very high-risk, high-reward defense. With the defense extended, we are vulnerable to getting beaten to the goal. Penalties are also a concern. The on-ball player wants to be aggressive, but not at the risk of putting himself in the penalty box… Shock: Final Thoughts

Shock: Final Thoughts Continued **If the offense sets a pick on the on-ball defender, then the defense needs to talk through this pick. If the on-ball defender can stay with his man, then “Shock” is still on. If a “switch” occurs, then “Shock” is off and the defense should call out “Crash” or “Near Man”. Shock: Final Thoughts Continued

Bonzai

Bonzai: Level of Play Bonzai is a complicated defense to execute but all teams should understand how to execute it in the event that they need to double the ball at the end of the game. Level of Play (Bonzai)

Bonzai: Set-up This is a last resort defense that is only to be used at the end of game when the team is down by a goal or two and needs the ball back. In this defense, the goalie leaves the crease creating an empty net situation so the defense can have an extra on-ball defender. Set-up (Bonzai)

Bonzai: Set Up (Goalie Double) M3 M2 M1 D1 D2 D3 GOALIE

Bonzai: Set Up (Defender Doubles) M3 M2 M1 D1 D2 D3 GOALIE

Bonzai: Execution As soon as the ball goes behind the goal the goalie leaves the crease and has two options. 1) The goalie (G) double teams the ball-carrier behind the goal and becomes one of the on- ball defenders. Or 2) the goalie finds a man in front of the goal and releases that defender to go behind the goal and double team the ball. Ideally the goalie will release a longpole to make the double team more effective… Execution (Bonzai)

Bonzai: Execution All of the other defensive players must shut off their men so they cannot receive a pass from the offensive player under duress. **After a time-out, the second option should be used so two defenseman start on the ball with the Goalie covering another player in front of the goal. Execution (Bonzai)

Bonzai: Set Up (Goalie Double)

Bonzai: Set Up (Defender Double)

Bonzai: Final Thoughts Continued Bonzai should be used in the final seconds of a game when a turnover is necessary. Teams should practice which of these options is best for them and their personnel. If the goalie is able to do so, it is better to have him shot of the nearest player and send a defender to double. This will maximize the opportunity for potential turnovers. Bonzai: Final Thoughts

Polar Bear

Polar Bear: Level of Play Polar Bear is a more advanced defense that should only be used at the High School level. It works against teams that rely heavily on their midfielders dodging against short stick defenders. This strategy takes the other team out of their comfort zone because they can no longer run their set offense… Level of Play (Polar Bear)

Polar Bear: Level of Play Polar Bear can also be useful if offensive midfidelders get stuck on defense because it removes them from any team sliding responsibilities. Team should only use this when they have reliable poles and the other team’s best players aren’t attackmen. Level of Play (Polar Bear Cont.)

Polar Bear: Set-up The two short stick defenders (M1 and M2) want to locate the two best offensive midfielders. The remaining four longpoles match up accordingly with their men. Idealy they should cover the four weakest players. Set-up (Polar Bear)

Polar Bear: Set Up M1 SS M2 SS M3 LSM D1 D2 D3

Polar Bears: Execution The two short sticks shut off their men entirely forcing the other players to hand the ball. The four longpoles play 4v4 and should use the “Near-Man” defense when slides are necessary. If one of the shut-off offensive players goes to the crease, then that defender can become the slider by calling out “Crash” and “I’m Hot!” or stay locked in and remain in the near-man slide package. Execution (Polar Bear)

Polar Bear: Execution M1 SS M2 SS

Polar Bear: Execution (SS On The Crease Near-Man) M1 SS M2 SS If a team decides to stay in “Near-Man” with a SS shutting on the crease, it’s important that the second slides from LSM and D3 not occur too quickly, but rather split too until it is absolutely necessary to slide all the way. LSM D3

Polar Bear: Execution (Crash with SS on the Crease) M1 SS M2 SS

Polar Bear: Final Thoughts It’s important to remember that the sliding package in “Polar Bear” will be near-man unless the short-stick on the crease announces that he is “Hot!”. When this happens, we are in our regular “Crash” package. Otherwise, we want to slide “Near- Man” as much as we possibly can. If one of the shut-off players gets the ball, then Polar Bear is temporarily called off and the defense reverts to “Crash” or “Near-Man” depending on the situation… Polar: Final Thoughts

Polar Bear: Final Thoughts Continued Once the ball is passed from the shut player to another player guarded by a pole, “Polar Bear” can be re-instituted. The transitions between “Polar Bear”, “Crash” and “Near- Man” need to be communicated by the entire defense. If these transitions are not called out, players will get confused and slides will not occur in a timely or organized fashion. Polar: Final Thoughts Continued