First Class Defense

First Class Defensive Lacrosse Training - Building Complete Men’s & Women’s Defenders Directed by PLL Defender of the Year Matt Dunn
@firstclasslax_

[First Class Defense @fcldefense]

On-Ball Breakdown 🚨

Defend Dangerous Areas 🛑⚠️

🔑 —> use your 🥍👣👋📐!

Check out how you can use your stick, feet, hands, and angles together to keep dodgers from getting to dangerous areas.

#FirstClassDefense

[Matt Dunn @imdunntweeting]

Join 1300+ other lacrosse coaches to get access to this free newsletter here and let us know what you think.

@firstclasslax_ @fcldefense

https://t.co/P2IqHtEnjk

[First Class Lacrosse @firstclasslax_]

Defending the Rocker Move Drill🔒

Two ways right-handed players can get their strength on this side is turning topside or inside roll. With proper positioning, we can defend both.

Bookmark this drill and try out today 📚

@imdunntweeting @fcldefense

[Virginia Men's Lacrosse @UVAMensLax]

🤝 Welcome to the 𝗨𝗩𝗔 Family, Michael!

[First Class Lacrosse @firstclasslax_]

Combine leaders from our Women’s 2027 @fclbestinclass event 👀📊

[Matt Dunn @imdunntweeting]

On Sunday we wrote about defensive packages vs the mirror. When the ball goes down the side, teams have 2 slide options:

1. "shallow" off the mirror
2. "deep" from the backside

We often see teams slide shallow as the ball goes under, but Notre Dame is a classic example of deep

[First Class Lacrosse @firstclasslax_]

Count the amount of times @TerpsMLax threw it through X to create this wide open step down for Eric Spanos 🔥🐢

Beautiful ball movement by the Terps!

[Matt Dunn @imdunntweeting]

2 quick pieces of advice I gave a defender I work with on helping with some off-ball positioning & decisions.

1⃣ Use all available information to anticipate what will likely happen next vs reacting. (prior to the dodge)

2⃣ Visualize regularly to slow things down.

[First Class Lacrosse @firstclasslax_]

Friday's Weekly Thought💭: Stepping Into the Arena 🥍🏟️

It’s easy to worry about what others will think if you fail.

Remind yourself that the people who matter are rarely the ones who criticize from sidelines.

"Boos come from the cheapest seats." - @charlesmiller_7

[First Class Defense @fcldefense]

Peter Laake "shoots the elbow" when trailing from X to get bottom arm leverage and disrupt the dodger's ability to shoot.

If you're a pole in the trail:

❌ Don't reach or slap
✅ Shoot the elbow & control the bottom arm

This allows us to cover even as dodgers get a step.

[Matt Dunn @imdunntweeting]

Every other Sunday we're delivering our coaches corner newsletter (free).

This past weekend we wrote about attacking gaps vs a zone defense.

You can check out last weeks article here:

https://t.co/iYlMvZTe7m

[First Class Lacrosse @firstclasslax_]

Episode 10 of FCL's Podcast is live!

🦅 @BCwlax's Mckenna Davis joins the show
🥍 The importance of visualization
🤔 Switching into zone at end of game
➕more!

YouTube --> https://t.co/I5r5cMUXDe

Spotify --> https://t.co/KpsGzmuMd5

Apple Podcasts --> https://t.co/ef2AzR3qHm

[First Class Defense @fcldefense]

How about this play from @TerpsMLax defender @wschall17?!

🤯 @wschall17 soaks the shot and saves the GB
🤝 @AjLarkin19 scoops the GB, pushes it up field and gets the goal

[First Class Lacrosse @firstclasslax_]

"I think defenseman and their stick skills have evolved in the shot clock era" - Billy Dwan, @CuseMLAX

Check out the full FCL podcast below!

[First Class Lacrosse @firstclasslax_]

In the latest edition of our “Coaches Corner” newsletter, @imdunntweeting wrote in depth about inside out defense 🤓🥍

Here are a few principles with film examples, but check out the full newsletter to read more ⬇️

[First Class Defense @fcldefense]

https://t.co/0cIZn2fjsK

[Matt Dunn @imdunntweeting]

Writing our Coaches Corner newsletter for this weekend on "inside out defense".

Here's a clip that we'll highlight.

@NDlacrosse does a nice job holding lanes with "stick inside, body outside" especially during slides.

"Let the ball move around you, not through you"

[First Class Defense @fcldefense]

Tomorrow's Coaches Corner is on "Inside-Out" Defense. Check it out!

Subscribe for free: https://t.co/pHlaLLxGaH

[Deemer Class @22classy]

Join the 336 coaches and counting that have joined the free Sunday "Coaches Corner" newsletter this past month.

Coach Dunn has a great one tee'd up tomorrow AM on "Inside Out" Defense.

Subscribe for free: https://t.co/XRgOeE4kKY

@firstclasslax_

[Matt Dunn @imdunntweeting]

New Blog on (Terps DC) Jesse Bernhardt Webinar

✅ Fundamentals
✅ Breaking bad habits
✅ Movement efficiency
✅ Teaching contact

"To be in the fight, you’ve got to get to the fight. Playing great def starts with getting yourself in position first."

https://t.co/HGEWw5nxT5

[Dan Kaplan @dkaplan46]

On site here for game two of the evening.

@CalvertHallLax hosts @stablacrosse

Colin Maher (@AF_Lax) just scored to tie things up at 2 here in the first quarter.

[First Class Lacrosse @firstclasslax_]

In our latest edition of our "Coaches Corner" newsletter, @22classy & @imdunntweeting examine the benefits of a CLA approach in lacrosse training 🥍

Watch below to see some examples ⬇️

[Matt Dunn @imdunntweeting]

SPUD = Slider Positioned Under Dodge

Quick clip of Colin Burlace (40) from MD's slide stance & positioning.

✅ Hold dangerous space
✅ Stay sideways (don't "peel open")
✅ Read dodger body language

Nice job by Schaller (27) of tagging the rotation on throwback

@fcldefense