Individual and Team Defense Drills & Techniques

with Jon Torpey,
Brown University Head Coach;
High Point University Head Coach from 2010 to 2024;
2x Southern Conference Champions (2015, 2021)
Dartmouth University Associate Head Coach from 2008 to 2010;
Denver University Assistant/Associate Head Coach from 2003 to 2008;
2x Great Western Lacrosse League Champions;
Goucher College Assistant Coach from 2001 to 2003;
Denison College Assistant Coach in 2001;
2001 Division III Final Four;
played professionally for the Columbus Landsharks, the Philadelphia Barrage and the Colorado Mammoth from 2000 to 2006;
2006 MLL title with the Colorado Mammoth in 2006;
2004 MLL title with the Philadelphia Barrage in 2004;
played collegiately for Ohio State University

The High Point men's lacrosse program started in 2010 with Jon Torpey as the program's first head coach. In just three season he led the program into the NCAA Tournament. One of the rising coaching stars in collegiate lacrosse, Torpey became the youngest person to be named Associate Head Coach when he was named to the position at the University of Denver. Prior to Denver, he coached at Division III Goucher College, taking their defensive unit from unranked to #13 in the country in three years.

High Point University head coach (from 2010 to 2024), Jon Torpey, provides techniques and drills that are designed to improve defensive stickwork in addition to working on defensive skills, individual on-ball and off-ball defense and team defense.

Wide-Grip and Open Field Ground Balls

Discover drills you can use to further develop a defenseman's most important skill: the ground ball. Wide-grip ground balls work on the scoop of a ground ball in traffic, while open field ground balls help out with clearing and in transition. Coach Torpey uses his players to demonstrate the drills and show how to incorporate passing and shooting into these drills.

On-Ball and Off-Ball Defense

Improve on approaching the ball carrier as Coach Torpey demonstrates several holds such as the V-Hold, Cross-Check hold, and defending areas around the field. He also works on off-ball defense, such as sliding to the help, helping on-ball side and off-ball side. You'll learn various drills that demonstrate these principles and show different situations to use these skills.

Building Team Defense

Coach Torpey puts these skills together to help build your team defense and your transition defense. He uses drills such as 3v2 and 4v4 Push-Pull, 4v4 Y and 4v4 Hub drills to practice these skills in a more team-oriented setting against different dodges on the field.

Coach Torpey will show you how to develop your defensemen and help them get the most out of their abilities!

61 minutes. 2016.