2.04 ASSISTING
(d) GAINING THE ASSIST POSITION
Exercise in taking up a good assist position
Groups of four per korf with a ball. Just about all of these exercises can also be performed by three.
Note that in the text below, the outcome is nearly always an assist for a running-in shot. The exercises can work just as well with a distance shot in movement or a distance shot starting from under the post.
A. Two shooters are in front of the korf. Under the korf is the assist player with defender. The defender only makes life a little uncomfortable for the assist player. Shooter Number 1 takes a distance shot. The assist player rebounds and plays to Number 2 in front of the korf. (S)he then runs a few paces forward, past the defender to stand just in front of the korf. Number 2 takes a running-in shot with ball. The assist player turns quickly, rebounds and passes to Number 1, who shoots from distance. Change tasks after one minute.
A very simple way to take up a good assist position. But if this were so easy in practice the following exercises would not be necessary.
B. The assist player stands with defender about ten metres from the korf. The shooters are in front of the korf. The assist player runs quickly to a position just in front of the korf, lightly hindered by the defender. One of the shooters plays the ball in and the other takes a running-in shot.
C. As B, but now the defender is more active giving the assist player a more difficult job: start suddenly, make a feinting movement or...
If the defender knows the intentions of the attacker, gaining the assist position using A or B is more or less impossible. In standard attack play, or with a strong opponent, other methods are required.
D. As B, but now the assist player pretends to go for a running-in shot, the shooters in front of the korf may even feint the pass. As close as possible to the korf, the assist player breaks his/her movement and turns to face the shooters: (s)he now stands right in front of the defender. One of the two shooters takes a running-in shot.
E. As D, but the defender now anticipates the assist player’s movements and front defends. The assist player is no longer defended and takes a running-in shot with the assist from one of the shooters.
The assist for the running-in shot is extremely difficult. Tell the player trying to take the assist position to move away once (s)he reaches the post. The distance between him/her and the defender will therefore be bigger and the assist will be easier.
F. As D, but now the assist player starts from another position, for example, 10 metres diagonally in front of the korf
G. As B, but the assist player now runs around the back of the post, before turning sharply to come in front of the post into the assist position (the so-called “cutting around the post”). In match situations, there is often a rebound player, as well, who can be used for the cutting manoeuvre.
The defender may choose either to follow the assister or to run in front of the post and thereby front defend. If the defender chooses the latter, the assist player should move away from the korf and receive a pass for a shot from close distance behind the post.
H. The assist player stands with defender under the korf. The ball is in front with the shooters. The assist player moves to the side and the shooter with the ball feints a pass so that the defender has to follow. The defender moves close to the assist player, the latter moves suddenly back to the korf to take up the ideal assist position. One of the shooters now takes a running-in shot.
Instead of running to the side, the assist player can also run behind the post. As soon as the defender follows, the assist player moves quickly back to take a position in front of the post.
A few methods of gaining the assist position are written above, but there are lots more possibilities. Use one method in a training session and work on it just long enough for it to be mastered. A good korfballer should have a few alternatives up his/her sleeve.