Long-stick middies bolster defense

Teddy Roosevelt once said, "Speak softly, and carry a big stick." True, the former president did not have men's lacrosse in mind when making this statement about American foreign policy, but his famous adage accurately describes an important but often-overlooked player on the lacrosse field — the long-stick midfielder.

According to NCAA men's lacrosse regulations, only four players are allowed to use long sticks, which range from 52 to 72 inches in length, at any given time. All other players use short sticks, which are up to 42 inches long. Usually, a team's three defenders will use long sticks, leaving one for a midfielder.

The long stick can provide a team with several significant advantages during a lacrosse game. Head coach Bill Tierney noted that one advantage is that a long stick creates more space between a defender and his offensive opponent, giving the defender more room to maneuver.

"The reason for the long pole is that you can defend easier, get better stick checks and stay away from the offensive player a little more," Tierney said. "You can react to an [offensive] player's quick movements with a long stick."

Senior John Bennett has played the position of long-stick midfielder for four years. Bennett noted that, in addition to the breathing room that the long stick allows, it can also force an opposing attackman out of his comfort zone.

"It allows you to more easily force a player down a particular side of the field," Bennett said. "For example, [you can] force a right-hand dominant player to his left, where he will be less of a threat, and [it gives] you more of a chance to take the ball from him."

Along with the role that they play on defense, long-stick midfielders also help with faceoffs, an important aspect of the game. If a team masters the faceoff, it can maintain possession and dictate the pace and outcome of a game. Once again, the extra length of the long stick provides advantages.

"Assuming everything else is equal, you have 30 more inches of stick to get the ball sooner," Tierney said. "If the other team gets there first, having the long stick out there gives you a chance to check his stick as he is going for the ground ball."

Tierney also pointed out that, if an opponent is winning the majority of the faceoffs in a game, having two long-stick midfielders lined up on the wings can be beneficial. When the second long-stick midfielder is added to the faceoff line, one defender must switch to using a short stick.

Bennett echoed that the long stick adds a different dimension to the battle for possession.

"They allow a team to better defend against an opponent's faceoff guy," Bennett said. "And they force the opponent to be aware of where the long stick is lining up."

In addition to Bennett, sophomore Charlie Kolkin is Princeton's other long0stick midfielder. Senior All-American Zach Jungers — now one of the anchors of the Tigers' stingy defense — also played long-stick midfielder before moving to the defensive line.

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Though long-stick midfielders can contribute to the offense, Bennett pointed out that on the Princeton squad, their role is mainly a defensive one. When a defender clears the ball, he can move into the offensive zone to look for an open man. But the long-stick midfielder will rarely take shots on goal. In 2006, junior defender Dan Cocoziello scored the first goal by a Tiger long-stick player in over 30 games.

Since the position offers a team so many advantages, to stay afloat in the competitive world of men's lacrosse a team must have capable long-stick midfielders. Luckily for the Tigers, Tierney has found two excellent ones in Bennett and Kolkin.

"John is tenacious," Tierney said. "He's a competitor, and he's tough. He's learned our system really well, so he's become a really good slider, which takes our opponents by surprise and really solidifies our defense," Tierney said. "Charlie is a little more lacrosse savvy. He has great stick skills, and he helps in the transition game. He has a great understanding of our defense."

During the Tierney era, Princeton has been known for its ability to shut down some of the nation's top offenses. The long-stick midfielders are part of the reason why the Tigers consistently have a rock-solid defense year in and year out.