Laxlife: Defense Drill

A defensive player must be able to position themselves to take away “outside shots” by an offensive player without “screening” the goalie. Players should be in a “closed stance” and overplaying the offensive player’s stick (standing between their stick and the net), at the same time closing the gap on the shooter as best as possible.
Closing the gap is when the defender rushes out at a ball carrier, applying aggressive pressure in preventing them from having time & space to execute a high percentage shot, usually off of a "skip" pass or a swing pass. The defender must close (shorten) the "gap space" between themself and their check with speed, while still “arriving in control,” with a stick up and not “over-committing.”
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00:06 Closing The Gap Intro
02:19 Variation #1: Stick Length Away
03:00 Variation #2: Start At The Pylon
03:49 Variation #3: Shooter-To-Shooter Pass
04:34 Variation #4: Defender Breakout Attempt
05:15 Closing The Gap Conclusion