Defensive Team Play
The principles of defending are related to the defence of the centre passes
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Close down / deny space of attacking players
Limit options of attacking players
Delay attacking play
Make an interception or tip
Force an error
Defending the Centre Pass
Both teams have an equal opportunity to score goals from the centre pass therefore it is essential that
the defending team practices a variety of set ups for the centre pass so they can consider how to disrupt
the attacking team. All team members need to know the set up and the implication for each one. The
Wing Defence is normally the player who leads and calls defensive set ups; however this can vary
dependent upon the leadership of the group but the decision taken must be in accordance with how the
attacking team are / have been positioned and the options they have been using and the strengths and
weaknesses of the opposition.
In attack ideally the Wing Attack should take a high percentage of passes at the first phase of the centre
pass but all teams will have worked to have ensured all positions will have an opportunity to add a
variety to the attacking play.
When defending a centre pass the team is aiming to:
Delay the movement of the ball towards the goal
Keep the attack off the circle edge
Ensure the ball is thrown diagonally across the court
Ensure the ball is forced near the side lines
Ensure the ball is passed backwards
Intercept the first or second phase of a centre pass
How to counteract attacking centre passes
1. 2:1on the WA marked by the WD and C and forcing the GA wide by the GD in a 1:1 position.
2. Three over the line – WD C and GD
3. Sag back by the WD C and GD with the GK at the top of the circle to form a diamond shape
4. WA and GA force GD and WD wide
5. WA and GA drop onto the defensive third line when the whistle is blown
Skills that are required by the defensive players
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Switching - particularly the WD and the C
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Continual movement so the attacking players cannot set up easily; particularly the
screen
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Communication by the players
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Defensive skills – interception, restricting space, creating inaccurate pass.
1.
How to potentially counteract a screen: continual movement by the WD and GD so the WA or
GA cannot settle. Potentially enable the first phase to occur but allow the defending centre to
cover the initial phase and communication by the WD and GD to cover the second phase –
possibly require switching before GA enters the circle
Screen
GA GD
WA
WD
2.
How to potentially counteract a stack could be forcing the WA and GA into the middle with the
centre covering the front and the WA and GA defending the attacking GD and WD
STACK
GS
WD
WA
GD
GA
C
C
WD WA
GA GD
Wide
3.
(WA on GA side)
GS
GS
GK
GD
WD
WA
GA
C
WA
WA
GA
C
WD
GA
C
GD
WD
GD
How to potentially counteract a wide set up
drop back and form a diamond set up. The WA and GA
dropping down into the centre third to force the second phase
ball high into the air or a diagonal ball
that can be intercepted.
4. Off the line
How to counteract the “off the line” set up could be all 3 defensive players “jumping the line and the WA
and GA ensuring the WD and GD do not drive through for the 1 st phase
GS
GA
GD
WA
WD C
C
WA
WD
GA
GD