Mastering Defensive Fundamentals That Translate Across All Disciplines

This article appears in our November edition. Join USA Lacrosse today to start your subscription.

Abby Bosco starred at Penn before transferring to Maryland to end her career in 2023 as an All-American defender.

Fast-forward a year later, and Bosco has found herself playing at a professional level in three different disciplines — field lacrosse with Athletes Unlimited, box lacrosse with the U.S. Women’s National Team and sixes with the national team at the USA Lacrosse Experience.

For an undersized defender, Bosco has had to master the fundamentals to succeed at the highest level. The 2023 Athletes Unlimited Defensive Player of the Year has done so with flying colors.

The rudiments of defense can transfer between disciplines.

“There are little pieces here and there that are different, but the core fundamentals are the same,” Bosco said. “What's going on in my mind when I’m guarding someone on ball or guarding someone off ball, it’s the same thought process. I feel like each discipline helped for the next.”

Bosco joined national team athletes from Colombia, Great Britain and Puerto Rico at a Gait Skills Clinic in Indianapolis in October to teach youth girls about her defensive approach. In this drill, all a player needs are three cones, a stick and (preferably but not essential) a friend.

No matter how much you train, Bosco has one piece of advice for aspiring lacrosse players.

“Just have fun,” she said. “The more fun you’re having, the better you play.”