Select Team Man-Down Defense: 55

55: Level of Play

“55” is the string based defense that all teams

should use in man-down situations.

•Level of Play (55)

55 Against a 3-3

55: Set-up

This is a 5-man zone rotation defense or a

“string” defense that relies on all five

defenders moving in unison in order to cover

the perimeter and the crease. Instead of one

player having the responsibility of covering

the crease and a perimeter player, all five

have to account for the outside and the

inside. Each player has a zone for which they

are responsible.

•Set-up (55 Against a 3-3)

55: Set-up

If two offensive players flood that zone then

an adjacent defender must slide over to help.

•Set-up (55 Against a 3-3)

55: Set Up (Against the 3-3)

D1

M1

D4

D2

D3

55: Execution

On-ball defenders cover their man hard but

not overly aggressive, trying to get a poke

check in as their man goes to throw a pass.

Adjacent players are in the skip pass lanes

preventing these from occurring. The two

backside players are tight to the crease

discouraging a pass to this area…

•Execution (55 Against a 3-3)

55: Execution Continued

If an offensive player carries the ball from one

zone to the next, then the original on-ball

defender must “pass” this player onto their

adjacent teammate and recover back to their

zone. If an offensive player cuts, then the

closest defender must go with the cutter until

they can “release them to their teammate on

the crease. They should then recover back to

their original zones.

•Execution (55 Against a 3-3 Cont.)

55: Execution Continued

If the ball starts in the top middle of the 3-3,

then D1 plays the ball, trying to get a poke

check on the offensive player as they pass the

ball. M1 and D2 are responsible for the skip

pass lanes to the low left and low right

offensive players. D3 and D4 must converge

on the crease player if a pass is thrown inside.

•Execution (55 Against a 3-3 Cont.)

55: Execution (Against the 3-3)

D1

M1

D4

D2

D3

55: Set Up (Against the 3-3)

It’s imperative that the two players farthest from the ball pinch to help on the

crease. Also, players must have their sticks up and in

the “skip” lanes at all times.

55 Against a 1-3-2

55: Set-up

This remains a 5-man zone rotation defense

or a “string” defense that relies on all five

defenders moving in unison in order to cover

the perimeter and the crease. The only

difference against the 1-3-2 is that the base

defenders must be prepared to play the man

at “X” when he rolls around to push a side.

•Set-up (55 Against a 1-3-2)

55: Set Up (Against the 1-3-2)

D4

M1

D2

D1

D3

55: Execution

When the ball is at “X” D4 will play the ball,

trying to get a poke check on the offensive

player as they pass the ball. D3 and D2 are

responsible for the skip pass lanes to the top

right and top left offensive players. They also

don’t want to leave the wing players free

because they are more dangerous. M1 is

responsible for helping on the crease when

D4 slides. D1 can help on the crease and must

split the field in half so he can recover to

either of the top spots.

•Execution (55 Against a 1-3-2)

55: Set Up (Against the 1-3-2)

D4

M1

D2

D1

D3

55: Set Up (Against the 1-3-2)

55: Final Thoughts

“55” is the Trilogy base man-down. Every

team should feel comfortable playing 55. The

keys to this defense, like any defense, are

staying tight, giving up outside shots,

communication and practice. Man-down units

must remember to keep their sticks up in skip

lanes. The crease is the most dangerous spot

on the field. Both “away from ball” players

must pinch in order to provide support to the

crease.

• 55: Final Thoughts