Defensive Principles:
looking to defend goal & gain possession
Cover & Delay
Balance in Defence
Control, Restraint & Patience
Restricting Space: Channelling, Interception & Pressing
Double Teaming
Zonal Defence
Man-to-Man Marking
- when attackers enter D, the main aim of the defenders is to re-gain possession, clear the ball out of the danger area (D) & to prevent & block shots on goal from the opposition's attackers
- Control, Restraint & Patience - dont rush
- Interception - defenders should be ball side of opponent - see opponent & ball
- Restricting space: pressing - aggressive form of defending, force turnovers
example:
1) when the team need to get the ball back & score quickly when there isnt long left in game
2) to keep the ball in the opposition's defensive area ie. sideline ball
3) to keep possession & use up time
4) expose any weak defenders on opposition who under pressure could make a mistake
- Double Teaming
2 defenders work together in order to dispossess the ball carrier - one is channelling defender & other acts as tackling defender
in more ways than one
in more ways than one
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