2.06 INDIVIDUAL ATTACK
(f) KEEPING BUSY
Exercise in occupying one’s direct opponent
Groups of four with a ball per korf. One player in each group of four has a defender who must be kept busy. The defender’s job is to follow the opponent closely. But if the defender feels that it is possible to intercept a pass, (s)he should do so. Change functions after a certain time.
A. The three attackers play together. The attacker with defender is considered the main attacker. (S)he does not play in the region of the korf and shoots when there is a chance. Can the defender intercept any balls?
In this situation, the defenders can intercept the ball in two ways. Either the attacker was not in a genuinely free position when the ball was passed or the attacker shoots from too close to the korf allowing the defender to turn around after the shot with a chance to win the ball.
B. As A, but now with the above-mentioned comments: the main attacker must make sure to offer a good passing option and may not shoot from too close to the korf.
C. Against defenders who turn to try and take the rebound after a shot, the attacker is told to “run behind the shot” and therefore go past the defender.
D. All three attackers may now shoot. The attacker with the defender may also play close to the korf. Keeping the defender occupied now becomes more difficult.
E. As D, but give the following information. To keep the defender busy it is important that the attacker presents a continuous threat. If a running-in shot is threatened, the defender will normally stay with the attacker. In general, the technique of “seeking the opponent” is enough of a threat.
F. Equally, the attacker is dangerous when running free in space, since (s)he has the possibility to shoot. If, in this case, the defender leaves the attacker and remains in the area around the post, then it is simply not possible to occupy the defender. Instead, the attacker's team-mates must take on this role. They may not shoot (unless they score) but must play the ball to the free attacker and move to the post for the rebound.
G. As D. The defender’s only task is to intercept the ball. (S)he leaves the attacker completely free who can then, of course, shoot as much as (s)he wants. But what should the team do if the attacker is not succeeding with the shots? One possibility is for the attacker to play a supporting function from by the post but this brings the defender into the area where it is possible to make most interceptions. But the attack should try it anyway. If it does not work, the attacker is having a bad day and should be substituted.
H. Two against two. The instructions for the defenders are to try not to allow any goals to be scored against them, but also to win possession of the ball as quickly as possible. The attackers must pay full attention to each other and to the work of the defenders. All of the information given above can be useful. Without doubt a lot of “doubling” will be necessary: one attacker may be free to shoot but the defender of the other attacker has moved towards the post to take the rebound. This attacker should then pass the ball to his/her colleague and move to the post to rebound a possible shot.