DEVELOP INTERCEPTING AND CONTROL SKILLS UNDER PRESSURE INSIDE DEFENSIVE CIRCLE
PLAYERS
8+ PLAYERS
SPACE
23m AREA
EQUIPMENT
10+ BALLS
EXPLANATION:
Central Defender O1 starts inside the circle, in line to an Attacking player on the penalty stroke mark. Two additional Attackers are positioned close to O1 and ready to pressure.
X1 hits the ball in hard towards O1. O1 must stop the ball (intercept) and try to keep possession and pass the ball to either O2 or O3 in the gates near the sideline.
Once O1 takes makes the first touch on the ball, all Attackers are active and pressure O1, trying to dispossess and score a goal.
O1 works to try to either:
Pass the ball out to O2 or O3, or
Keep possession and win a foul
Play continues until ball goes out of play or a foul is called.
VARIATIONS:
Change angle of the pass into the circle.
Change the positioning and number of Attackers inside the circle.
Add another defender for O1 to combine with to bring the ball out.
**In a team practice, If you have a full attack vs defence game going, this is a good way to start the play on a restart.**
COACHING POINTS:
O1 should prepare in a low, balanced position, ready to move to get into ideal position to control the ball on interception - eyes behind the line of the ball, stick out in front.
Awareness of positioning of Attackers is important to understand where pressure will come from.
O1 can use stick and body to protect the ball once under control. Stick and body can be used to subtly shield the ball as long as O1 continues to move.
EVALUATION:
Defender should be calm and controlled, even under pressure from a number of players.
O1 should protect the ball at all costs, and seeing if the defender can successfully move to space with the ball under control.
PROGRESSION:
TTC & TTW: Hit a bouncing pass in to defender.
TTW: Start Attackers close to the intercepting defender to allow no room for error.
