In the second installment of our Summer Coaching Series, we’re going to do a deep dive into the Backer Zone. Most teams regardless of level have some sort of zone defense in their arsenal, and here we will look at one specific type.
The Backer Zone is a defensive strategy that is used to protect the middle of the field while still being able to cover the opposing team’s attack. The goal of the Backer Zone is to limit the opposing team’s scoring opportunities by forcing them to take low-percentage shots from outside of the scoring area. The Backer Zone is a variation of the traditional zone defense, with the addition of an extra defender known as the “backer”.
The Backer Zone and the NYiT Run
This Defense was made famous by NYiT under legendary coach Jack Kaley and led them to multiple National Championships. Unlike Cabrini and Dowling, NYiT never had plans to shutter its doors. They just discontinued athletics in 2020 and ended one of the great runs in DII Lacrosse.
The Backer Zone typically consists of six defenders and a goalie. The four traditional defensemen play man-to-man defense on the opposing team’s attack players, while the backer plays a zone defense in the middle of the field. The fourth defender is responsible for guarding the crease area in front of the goal.
The backer is positioned in the middle of the field, behind the defensemen, and in front of the goal. The backer’s main responsibility is to cover the middle of the field and prevent opposing players from driving towards the goal. The backer also communicates with the other defenders and helps to coordinate the defense.
The backer’s position in the Backer Zone is critical because it allows the defense to protect the middle of the field. This happens while still covering the opposing team’s attack. If an opposing player with the ball drives towards the goal, the backer will slide to cover him. The other two defensemen shift over to cover the space left by the sliding backer. The fourth defender will stay in the crease area and cover any opposing players who try to attack the goal from close range.
The Backer Zone is effective because it allows the defense to collapse on opposing players who try to drive towards the goal. This happens while still being able to cover the rest of the field. The Backer Zone can also limit the opposing team’s transition game by preventing long passes upfield.
However, the Backer Zone is not without its weaknesses. Skilled attackers can find openings in the zone and create scoring opportunities. The Backer Zone can be vulnerable to quick ball movement and accurate passing. To be effective, the Backer Zone requires good communication and coordination between defenders. Players have to have a strong understanding of the defense’s principles and responsibilities.
The Backer Zone and the NYiT Run
Here’s some principles broken down:
The defenders in the Backer Zone are typically four defensemen, a backer, and a crease defender.
- Defensemen: The defensemen in the Backer Zone play man-to-man defense on the opposing team’s attack players. They are responsible for covering the two best attack players on the opposing team and preventing them from getting good scoring opportunities. The defensemen are also responsible for communicating with each other and the other defenders to make sure that everyone is in position and covering their assignments.
- Backer: The backer is a unique defender in the Backer Zone defense. The backer plays a zone defense in the middle of the field. This is behind the two defensemen and in front of the goal. The backer’s primary responsibility is to cover the middle of the field. They also prevent opposing players from driving towards the goal. The backer also communicates with the other defenders and helps to organize the defense.
- Crease Defender: The crease defender is responsible for guarding the crease area in front of the goal. The crease defender is typically positioned in the center of the crease. They are responsible for preventing opposing players from attacking the goal from close range. The crease defender must be quick and agile to react to opposing players who try to attack the goal from different angles.
The Backer Zone and the NYiT Run
The roles of each defender in the Backer Zone are complementary. Each defender must work together to form a cohesive defensive unit. The two defensemen play man-to-man defense on the opposing team’s attack players and prevent them from getting good scoring opportunities. The backer plays a zone defense in the middle of the field. This prevents opposing players from driving towards the goal. The crease defender guards the crease area and prevents opposing players from attacking the goal from close range. Together, these four defenders form a strong defensive unit that can limit the opposing team’s scoring opportunities and help their team win the game.
Here’s a link to the Final Four Win against LeMoyne in 2003
Here’s a link to the full Championship game in 2003 when NYiT beat Limestone.
Pay Attention closely to these games, not only did NYiT run their zone, but they also used the 10 Man Ride exclusively which caused chaos for many teams they played. We will be discussing the 10 Man Ride in another article at a later date.
