Speed–footwork-we all hear the terms but I maintain these terms are not well understood.
1. First, you need muscle for first step explosion. That means proper weight training preferably with an expert who can make sure you are working on counter movements as well as movement.
2. Next, you need technique; the way you are moving with the stick in your hand. For example, keep your upper body over your legs. Sounds simple but many athletes lean forward at the waist or have other idiosyncrasies.
3. Third, you need positioning. 1 and 2 are useless without proper positioning. What is proper positioning? Without giving away the secret sauce, let’s just say you had better prevent the pass, not the kill!
4. Anticipation. Sensing where the ball is going or getting a good idea based on an opponent’s footwork, shot history, etc.
Get going on 1-4 and you are like the old Jeffersons, “Moving on Up to your piece of the pie”!