Jesse Bernhardt, Maryland's Defensive Coordinator and Associate Head Coach, recently shared his insights on on-ball defense and drills in a detailed webinar. As one of the top defensive minds in lacrosse, Bernhardt provided a deep dive into building fundamentally sound defenders, breaking bad habits, and maximizing efficiency in movement and contact.
I've been fortunate enough to have played with Jesse at Maryland and for team USA. He's without a doubt one of the greatest leaders and players I been teammates with. I also believe he is one of the greatest defensive minds in our sport. His attention to detail is incredible.
Here’s a breakdown of his key teachings below. If you like these, I think you will love the webinar we hosted with Jesse in our coaches community.
Bernhardt emphasized three core principles for developing a strong defender:
He also stressed the importance of individualization in coaching, recognizing that every defender has a unique style but must adhere to key defensive principles.
All of these drills below are broken down with video footage by Coach Bernhardt during his webinar.
Defense is built from the ground up. Bernhardt detailed several drills aimed at refining movement and positioning.
Motor Feet Drill:
Defenders stay engaged in slight movement, not backpedaling too much.
Allowing the offensive player to run into the defender’s stick and gloves naturally.
Avoiding wasted steps and remaining in an athletic stance.
Start-Stop Drill: Defenders work on staying in a trail position while mirroring an offensive player’s movements. Key cues include:
Always keeping eyes on the opponent’s jersey number.
Transitioning smoothly between shuffling and running.
Keeping a strong stance without hopping or getting off balance.
Here's a quick clip of Jesse breaking down the technique and coaching points of his "Start / Stop Drill".
Approaching an offensive player correctly is critical to maintaining defensive integrity.
Adjusted Approaches Drill:
Players must adjust their shade and tilt based on offensive movement.
Shade refers to where a defender’s nose aligns on an attacker’s shoulder.
Tilt refers to how open a defender’s hips are in relation to the attacker.
Defenders must avoid “hopping” and should instead take a single step to dictate offensive movement.
Bernhardt emphasized that effective approaches set the tone for the matchup—they allow defenders to get to the fight before engaging in it.
Many young defenders struggle with contact—either initiating it inefficiently or failing to absorb it properly.
Shadow Drill:
Defenders hold a stick between their hip flexors and the offensive player’s hip.
The goal is not to use the stick but to mirror movements, focusing purely on footwork.
This drill reinforces body positioning and movement without unnecessary reaching.
Absorbing Contact Drill:
Defenders use a pad to simulate realistic contact without excessive physicality.
Teaching defenders how to “take a charge” similar to basketball, keeping feet underneath them to maintain balance.
Differentiating between a butt-end hold (wide grip for contact absorption) and a V-hold (more for controlling stick positioning).
Bernhardt showcased film clips demonstrating these techniques in real game situations. A few key points included:
Avoiding Overextension: Defenders should never lunge or extend hands first, as it compromises balance and positioning.
Using Hands Efficiently: While some defenders are taught to “punch” with the bottom hand, Bernhardt prefers a wider grip for better control.
Anticipating Offensive Moves: Many elite attackmen use ladder dodges and deceptive footwork, so defenders must prepare to absorb contact while staying in optimal position.
Be Coachable – Recruiters and college coaches look for defensive fundamentals, positioning, and awareness more than just takeaway checks.
Stand Out Without the Ball – Many showcase players worry about not getting dodged enough. Bernhardt reassures players that coaches evaluate their positioning, communication, and anticipation just as much as their one-on-one defense.
Defend the Heart – Define key areas of the field (e.g., hashes and the “heart” at the center of the defense) and ensure defenders keep opponents out of those spaces.
Jesse Bernhardt’s webinar was a masterclass in defensive fundamentals, showing that elite defense isn’t just about talent—it’s about technique, efficiency, and preparation. His drills and teaching points provide a roadmap for defenders at any level to improve their on-ball coverage and play a smarter, more controlled defensive game.
For those looking to take their defensive skills to the next level, incorporating these drills into daily practice is a great first step. If you like this content, we think you'll love our online coaches community where we hosted this webinar and others like it every month.
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