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 The
Importance of Communication
By Christian Cook
May 2003
This column will focus on what defensive players need
to hear from the goalie and the importance of communication. Team defense
relies on solid communication between defensemen but most importantly
on the communication of their defensive leader – the goalie. Goalies
need to call out what defense is being played, where the ball is on
the field and may help the defensive players react by indicating who
is sliding when things are unsettled. Defensive players are taught to
play "ball-side" of their attackman or midfielder. When played
correctly, it allows the defensive player to not only effectively cover
their player, but also be in a position to slide if necessary. If caught
opposite of ball-side any good offensive player will step up –
achieving separation – and be open. Furthermore, it is far more
difficult to slide quickly and effectively if a player is between you
and the ball. The only way a defensive player can ensure they are always
ball side is by listening to their goalie communicate the position of
the ball on the field. Some young players get caught staring at the
ball in order to determine its position. This is a risky proposition
given that offensive players will use that time to cut! I was always
taught to keep a "big eye" on my man and a "little eye"
on the ball – thus concentrating on my man. In order to know where
the ball is and where I should be properly positioned I have to listen
to the goalie.
 Unsettled
situations are difficult on any team defense and the role of the goalie
is essential. When unsettled, I personally try to play "from the
inside-out." That means, I always crash to the crease and take
away the inside shots before I start working my way outwards to less
dangerous players. The offensive players on the crease are ALWAYS more
dangerous than the outside shooters – one should focus first on
the inside because you AND your goalie will have more time to recover
(if only a split second) to an outside shot vs. a quick feed to the
crease. I rely on my goalie’s superior field vision to let me
know where I should be once I crash to the crease. Without their leadership
and communication in goal, most defenses will spend too much time recovering
from an unsettled situation – the quicker the recovery time the
better.
The goalie is the last line of defense and I take a great
deal of pride in protecting my keeper. I know they have an extremely
difficult job and I appreciate all of their efforts to communicate.
They truly are the generals on the field and one needs to know they
have a strong, capable and knowledgeable player in cage. This is achieved
through constant communication between the defensive unit and the goalie.
Any young goalie should focus as much on their ability to read the offensive/defensive
sets and relaying that information to their players as they should making
saves. The better the communication, the fewer saves a goalie will have
to make!
A Glance at Our Guest: Christian Cook
Defenseman, New Jersey Pride
Drafted 8th overall in inaugural Major League Lacrosse (MLL) draft by
New Jersey Pride
Starter in both league All-Star games
First-team All-Pro
Named Defenseman of the Universe by Fuel Magazine
MLL Warrior Defenseman of the year in 2002
Runner-up for MLL Defenseman of the year 2001
Princeton’s All-Decade Lacrosse Team
Won 3 NCAA National Lacrosse Championships (’96-’98)
1998: First-Team All-America; NCAA Defensive Player of the Year; NCAA
All Tournament Team; Team Captain; Only Unanimous First-Team All-Ivy
selection
1997: Third-Team All-America; First-Team All-Ivy
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