Defending in a mid-block

Organisation

• Use a full court.

• Split the court into quarters.

• Set up a 5v5 (attack v. defence).

Explanation

• The exercise begins with the attacking team’s goalkeeper in possession.

• Two attacking-team players begin the action unopposed in the build-up zone, while the other two attacking players are free to position themselves in any other zone. 

• The defending-team players are restricted to the two central zones. They can only drop back if the attacking team succeed in progressing play into their half.

• The attacking team aim to progress play through each zone.

• The defending team aim to prevent the attacking team from progressing the ball through the zones by implementing a player-to-player press.

• If the defending team turn over possession, the teams swap roles and play starts from the opposite end of the court.

Variations

• When the defending team recover possession, they attack towards the opposition’s goal.

Coaching points

• Press the ball-carrying player in wide areas. 

• Defenders should anticipate the direction of play in order to adopt the correct defensive position.

• Press the receiving player as the pass is played towards them.