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