While playing 1on1 defense, defensive players should generally try to take away (“deny”) topside and offensive players should try to get over top, in order to get quality shots on goal (from inside of the prime scoring area).

"Topside positioning" refers to a defender’s feet/hips being in line with the opponent’s top shoulder (relative to their stick), “overplaying” their topside with a “closed stance.” Their body should be positioned in the “shooting lane,” with their “stick up” and forcing offenders to carry the ball “underneath” the defense, eventually pushing them into the crease if they are the low defender, or into adjacent help if they are the high defender

In this way, defenders are dictating the play to the offender with the ball (inviting them “underneath”), meanwhile allowing all other defenders to be able to “anticipate” what is happening, ready to “slide” and “help”if they see an offender get over top of a teammate.

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00:06 TopSide Defense Intro
00:19 TopSide Defense Demo
01:33 Variation #1: 1 Corner At A Time
01:50 "Moves On Offense"
03:00 Progressions & Regressions
03:16 Don't Chase Into Corners
04:38 The Offenders Job
05:45 "Swing Your Hips"
06:04 Defending Bigger Players
06:33 Variation #2: All 4 Corners
07:32 TopSide Defense Conclusion