Intercepting Zones

EXPLANATION:

• X’s pass the ball behind the dotted line, and are not allowed to cross this line.
• O’s set up in defensive position anywhere in the shaded area.
• X’s try to hit/sweep the ball through the zone to the X’s on the opposite side.
• If O’s intercept, they counter-attack quickly and look to possess the ball across the dotted line where the pass came from. X’s engage and try to tackle. 

VARIATIONS:

• Change the number of defenders in the intercepting zone.

COACHING POINTS:

• Defenders should communicate with each other to cover the passing lanes. Encourage defenders to vary positioning: move forward to close down passing angles. move back to allow more time to react to pass.
• Each defensive player should be balanced: low center of gravity and weight evenly distributed between left and right feet, ready to react to either side.
• Defender should hold stick in the center of his body, with a flexible grip that allows him to change grip and stop the ball that comes on either side.

EVALUATION:

• Defenders should react sharply to a lateral pass and reposition immediately.
• Like a Goalkeeper, defenders should watch the hitter’s backswing and get “set” for the hit, balanced and ready to react. Watch to see that defenders are in a balanced position as contact is made with the ball.
• Defenders should be willing to dive to intercept if necessary, and immediately react to go into counter-attack.

PROGRESSION:

• LTT: Play in a smaller space.
• TTC & TTW: Start with pass coming out of defensive end, so counter-attack can go to goal.