linked defence sessions

First session on Stage 1 - man-2-man defence - making sure that they are always angled so they can see both thrower and the attacker. Great drill for this is simply to have the thrower either hold up different coloured cones or move the ball up, down and sideways. Whilst trying to keep with a dodging attacker (bewteen 2 cones), the defender must cal out where ball is/what coloured cone it is. Then add in ball later.

Second session on Stage 2 - hands over 3 foot marking. Key is getting the girls used to running up to their opposition and very quickly getting arms up at the right distance. Also understanding that actually they are more likely to force a bad pass than actually intercpet, therefore usualy better to have feet grounded and have one hand close to ball and other marking space and that this will involve switching hands and angling body too when anticipating where throw might go.

Third session probably most difficult in thinking about stage 3 defending, to defend a space. Most people understand this best from a centre set up. C throws to WA. WD allows WA to get ball, marks S2 defence, but then once ball released steps up to attackers space (NOT into player!) and sort of guides her the long way down the court before switching to S1 defending. (sorry not easy to explain in words that one!)

Fourth session they have to start to use ther brains and decide how and when to implement all of the above. They need to consider when it might sometimes be beneficial to let their player get the ball, because trying for the intercept that is unsuccessful might be detrimental in the next phase of play. How to ensure the opposition gain little to no ground? Think about switching and calling to defend each others players when that might make sense.

Hope that helps.