Canoe Polo
Level 1
Coaching Course
Australian Canoeing
Award Scheme
By Duncan Cochrane
© Duncan Cochrane 2010
1
Module CP13
Defence
2
Defence
n 
Defence is a crucial part of canoe polo. If the
opposition can’t score – it is easier to beat them.
n 
Good defence can be the best form of attack –
especially if it is constantly changing to maintain
pressure on the opposition.
n 
The following topics will be looked at:
u  principles of defence
u  types of defence
3
The principles of defence
(5 B’s of good D)
1.  Boat position
The kayak is between the attacker and the goal.
2. 
Body position
The defender’s body is closer to the goal, or behind the
body of the attacker.
3.  Ball position
Know where the ball is and whether it is a threat.
4.  Boundaries
At all times try to turn or “channel” the ball carrier or
shooter toward the boundaries.
5.  Banter
u 
u 
u 
the secret to good defence is good communication.
give clear and concise directions – in triplicate if
possible
listen to the calls and trust team mates’ directions.
4
Boat position and ball awareness
5
Ball position – know where the ball is
6
Boundaries – turn the ball carrier to a boundary
7
Turn the boat and block the ball
8
Types of defence
n 
Three types of defence:
1. Press
2. Zone defence
3. Transition defence
n 
Teach press first – it forces players to learn the
principles of boat position and how to use their
kayaks.
n 
No matter what the team, defence comes down to
each player’s one-on-one ability to maintain position.
9
Press
n 
n 
Features of press
u  Each player marks an opponent
u  There is no set goalkeeper
u  Players must ensure they do not lose their
opponent and that maximum pressure is
maintained to force a turnover.
Individual skills
u  Excellent one-on-one skills are essential.
u  Players will only learn to play good defence by
giving them the basics and letting them learn from
their mistakes, and the most mistakes will happen
during one-on-one drills.
u  Always ensure your players get enough of these
drills, they are crucial to their development.
10
Press
n 
Key points
u 
Concentrate equally on the player and the ball.
You must know at the same time as your
opponent when a pass is coming to anticipate and
possibly create a turnover.
u 
Players must know where the ball is so that a
quick change of possession leads to a fast break.
u 
Be aware of other players around you in case
they need help or vice versa.
u 
Don’t obstruct.
u 
Maintaining boat position is most important
u 
Channel your opponent to the side line or goal
line to reduce their options.
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Press
n 
Boat positioning
u 
u 
u 
Stay on the defensive goal side of an opponent
and be aware of your position on the field in case
they can catch and shoot.
Stay close enough to your opponent to copy every
move they make, but not so close you can’t avoid
screens or lose sight of the ball or other players.
Stay close enough to be able to kayak tackle the
player before they can get a pass away after they
have received the ball, but not too close that they
will paddle away from you. This distance is
different for each player and must be assessed
depending on the opponents’ speed/fitness and
your own speed/fitness.
12
Press
n 
Hand tackles
u 
u 
u 
u 
u 
Not usually effective against the best players.
Boat position should always be primary concern.
Timing is essential, the opponent should not have
the paddle in their hands.
The best time to hand tackle is:
«  as a player receives the ball
«  when a player is picking the ball up from the
water
«  when a player is shooting.
At these times a player has least control over their
balance and is least likely to "ride out" the tackle.
Once the hand tackle is successful, move in closer
to make sure they do not roll up and shoot. Be ready
to re-tackle (leading to a 5 second infringement) or
knock the ball from their hands.
13
Press
14
Zone defence
Zone defence refers to the positioning of players to protect
an area, or zone, around the goal. Each player takes up,
and maintains a position within the zone.
There are many different zone formations but the objective
of each is the same:
to force any shots to be low percentage shots by
keeping offence out of the zone and away from the goal.
n 
n 
Two styles of zone defence
u 
static zone
u 
rotating zone
Zone defence formations
u 
1-3-1
u 
2-2-1
15
Zone Styles
n 
Static zone
u  Players form a zone around the goal and tenaciously
hold position.
u  The intention is to prevent attackers getting close to
the goal and so make it easier for the goal keeper.
When a player does shoot, defence is well
positioned to get as many paddles as possible
between the shot and the goal.
u  Static zone is ‘the last line of defence’. If all else fails
– hold position between the opponent and the goal
and turn the attacker. This is especially important
against opponents who are more skilful or more
powerful.
u  The static zone has become less popular amongst
strong teams and given way to a more aggressive
style called the rotating zone.
16
Zone Styles
n 
Rotating zone
u 
Players form a zone around the goal, but unlike a
static zone where players attempts to maintain
position, players in a rotating zone constantly
rotate positions to intercept attackers.
u 
The basic principles are the same as for a static
zone – to stay between the attacker and the goal
and to force low percentage shots.
17
1-3-1 Zone defence
n 
1-3-1
u 
1 – a chaser that either sits on the point and
covers the passing lanes to players inside the
zone; or attempts to put pressure on the ball
carrier to force a poor pass.
u 
3 – three players set out across the front of goal.
The centre player is the key defender and controls
either side and the point.
u 
1 – the goal keeper.
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1-3-1 Zone defence
19
1-3-1 Zone defence
protect the area in front of goal
20
2-2-1 Zone defence
n 
2-2-1
u 
2 – two defenders at the top of the zone or two
chasers to put pressure on the ball carriers
u 
2 – two defenders at the rear to cover angled
drives and to block shots.
u 
1 – goal keeper
21
2-2-1 Zone defence – static
22
2-2-1 Zone defence – rotating
23
2-2-1 Zone defence – chasing
24
2-2-1 Zone defence
25
2-2-1 Chasing defence
26
Common points of zone defence
n 
Meet the attacker with paddle in the water – using power sweep
and brace for momentum and control.
n 
Do not paddle out to attacker at speed – it makes it easier for
them to pass you.
n 
Tackle opponents at the footrest and turn them to the sideline.
n 
Never chase the last player up the field, even if they have the
ball, as it creates an overlap for the opposition.
n 
Always try to ‘push out’ in defence as high as you can from the
goal to force the attacking team further away from goal. This
also gives defence more room to move and places pressure on
the ball.
n 
Always know where the ball is, where team mates are, and
where opponents are. Avoid ‘tunnel vision’ on one opponent.
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Common points of zone defence
n 
Keep kayak at 45 degree angle to goal line either left or
right of centre depending on which side of zone you are on
n 
Never meet an attacker driving in end on – always at an
angle
n 
Keep your body just behind that of the attackers.
n 
Directions to leave a player or stay with a player always
come from the back of the zone. Stay with a player until told
not to by a team mate behind you or until the attacker is
facing the sideline
n 
If in doubt hold position and make the attacker come to you.
n 
If you have no one to mark, look to the top of the zone and
get to the next driver.
n 
Always try to get under the attacker.
28
Transition defence
n 
Transition defence occurs when a there is a turnover
and a team transitions from offensive to defensive.
n 
As players move from beyond the half way line of the
field to take up zone defence positions under goal,
they mark opponents.
n 
Position between opponent and the goal.
29
Get your boat under to keep control in the zone
30
Module CP14
Offence Tactics
31
Offence
n 
Offence
u  types of offence
u  key principles of offence
32
Types of Offence
There are five main types of offence:
n 
Penetrating Offence
u 
n 
Shifting Offence
u 
n 
Where attackers attempt to get inside a zone
defence to disrupt it.
Where the attackers try to shift a zone defence to
one side or the other.
Overlap Offence
u 
Used against zone defence to draw defenders
and create an overlap for a team mate.
33
Types of Offence
n 
Man on Man Offence
u 
n 
Used against a man on man defence.
Transition Offence
u 
Used after a turnover by the attacking team, the
defence team now attacks before their opponents
can settle into defence.
34
Key principles of offence
Get players thinking about offence from the first session.
Some simple rules apply to all offensive situations:
n  every player must always threaten the goal – if they
don’t, defence will not need to mark them.
n  create a high percentage shot – preferably 1-on-1
with the goal keeper in the centre corridor in front of
goal
n  attacking moves are most successful if done at speed
n  don’t drive at the centre of the goal — it just
compacts the middle of the zone — use the angles.
n  when attacking a zone, move the defender across the
centre line of the field or towards the base line to
open up the high percentage – shooting corridor.
35
Key principles of offence
n 
n 
n 
n 
n 
Always know where the ball is – who has it, where it
is on the field
Always know where your own players are on the field,
and where all your opponents are.
Always have someone ready to defend (cover) if the
ball is turned over.
Offence, like defence relies on good communication
between team mates to give each other specific
directions so everyone is working together.
Ideally – unless you are the inside shooter, face the
same way as the defender so you can cover if there
is a turnover.
36
Shift the offence across the centreline
or to the baseline
37
Shift the defence across the centre line
38
Screen out a defender to allow
team mate a clear shot at goal
39
Screen out the defenders to allow team mate to
shoot at goal
40
Screen out the defenders
to allow team mate to shoot at goal
41
Screen in attack
42
Draw defence wide to open up the middle
43
Once you have finished your drive – cover
44
Once you have finished your drive – cover
45
Drive at speed with the ball to draw defenders
then pass off early
46
Drive at speed and on the angle
to make defenders commit
47
Drawing defence and creating an overlap
48
Penetrate the inside of the zone and
hold a position so you can get the ball and shoot
49
If inside be ready for the ball
50
Penetrate the inside of the zone and hold a position so you
can get the ball and shoot
51
Move to get clear
52
Dribble to space in own half to keep ball
53
Move to get clear
54
Fast breaks
Key Points
n  Don’t paddle up the middle of the field. Break to sides
then forward to create more space in front of goals
and better passing angles
n  Use outlet passes to side as first pass instead of long
bomb up field. It is far safer, more accurate and gives
better passing angles
n  If your break does not eventuate the players first up
the field continue into normal offence and shift or
penetrate the zone and then cover once their role is
no longer effective
55
You have just completed the
off-water component of the
Level 1 Canoe Polo Coaching Course.
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