Defending Principles

Players practice Split, Step, Stop with a partner.

Click here for instructional video

• Set Up

  • Using Cones make 2 rectangular lanes

  • Split players into pairs- 1 defender, 1 attacker

  • Have pair line up across from each other

• Equipment

  • Balls

  • Disc cones

  • Goals (optional)

• Objective

  • Defender tries to stop the Attacker by pushing them to the sideline.

• Directions

  1. The Attacker (player A) dribbles to ball towards the defender (player B)

  2. The Defender performs the Split, Step, Stop move.

  3. The Defender attempts to force the attacker to the outside sideline.

  4. When the players reach the end, pass the ball back to Player A and have the players get in the opposite lines.

• Variations

  • For ease: before introducing the ball, practice with a pinny tucked in the back of the attacker for the defender to grab.

  • Introduce goals at each end: instead of stopping the ball, players shoot and score to earn a point.

• Coaching Points

  • Light pressure means the defender is in front of the attacker with the ball, with their body at an angle that forces the attacker to go one way

Reflection: Responsible Decision-Making

In this exercise it was important to only apply light pressure as a defender.

1. What does that mean?

• Play defense but don't steal the ball.

*Have Captains give an example of Light vs. Heavy pressure

2. How did you keep yourself from trying to steal the ball? What made this decision difficult?

• to have fun and not worry about scoring

• to let my partner have a chance to practice without too much pressure

3. What is something you could do when you have to wait 3 seconds to help you?

• strategy- do 3 jumping jacks