Team Defense: Man Down 40 (Box & 1)

40: Level of Play

“40”(Box & 1) is a combination string and

man to man based defense. The SS will be

man to man on the crease offensive player

and the remaining 4 defenders play a

rotation string based defense

•Level of Play - 40(Box & 1)

40(Box & 1) vs 3-3

40: Set-up

This is a combination of 1 man to man and 4-

man zone rotation defense on a “string”

defense that relies on 1 man covering the

crease whilst four defenders moving in

unison in order to cover the perimeter. Each

player must rotate into a different zone for

which they are responsible.

•Set-up (40 Box & 1 vs 3-3)

40 Box & 1: Set-up

If two offensive players flood that zone then

an adjacent defender must slide over to help.

•Set-up (40 Box & 1 vs 3-3)

40 Box & 1: Set Up (Against the 3-3)

SS

M1/LP

D1

D2 D3

40 Box & 1: 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.

Crease defender is tight on the man in the

crease. Adjacent players are in the skip pass

lanes preventing these from occurring. The

two backside players are tight to the crease

ready to rotate on a pass…

•Execution (40 Box & 1 vs 3-3)

40 Box & 1: 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”

and then recover back to their original zones.

•Execution (40 Box & 1 vs 3-3 Cont.)

40 Box & 1: Execution Continued

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

then M1/LP plays the ball, trying to get a poke

check on the offensive player as they pass the

ball. D2 and D3 are responsible for adjacent

and the skip pass lanes to the low left and low

right offensive players. D1 must be ready to

rotate and converge on either of the skip

players if a pass is thrown.

•Execution (40 Box & 1 vs 3-3 Cont.)

40 Box & 1: Execution (vs 3-3)

M1/LP

D3SS

D2

D1

40: Set Up (Against the 3-3)

It’s imperative that the off ball players pinch to help and are ready to

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

the “skip” lanes at all times.

40 (Box & 1) vs 1-3-2

40 Box & 1: Set-up

This remains a combination of 1-man to man

and 4-man zone “string” rotation defense that

relies on 1 man covering the crease whilst four

defenders moving in unison in order to cover

the perimeter. 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 (40 Box & 1 vs 1-3-2)

40 Box & 1: Set Up (vs 1-3-2)

SS

M1/LP

D1

D2

D3

40 Box & 1: Execution

When the ball is at “X” either D1 or D3 will

slide and play the ball, trying to get a poke

check on the offensive player as they pass the

ball. M1/LP 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. SS is playing man to man on

the crease. M1/LP and D2 must be ready to

rotate into different zones and D3 must be in

position to play his zone or rotate to the top.

•Execution (40 Box & 1 vs 1-3-2)

40 Box & 1: Set Up (vs 1-3-2)

SS

M1/LP

D1

D2

D3

40 Box & 1: Set Up (vs 1-3-2)

40 Box & 1: Final Thoughts

Man – Down “40” (Box & 1) shuts off the man

in the crease with the remaining 4 men in a

rotation. 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. Besides the man with

the ball, the man in the crease is the next

most dangerous man on the field. All “away

from ball” players must pinch in and be ready

to rotate and provide slide support and help.

• 40 Box & 1: Final Thoughts