3.2 ATTACKING SYSTEMS
(b) SPREADING OUT IN THE DIVISION
Exercises in getting a feel for using all of the space in the attack division
Four players in the division with a ball and a korf. The division is divided into four quadrants (these can be marked with cones or lines). There is a player in each quadrant.
A. The players are continuously in movement, but each remains in his/her own quadrant. The players pass to each other in whichever order they choose.
B. As A, but now the ball is played in a particular direction. In other words, the ball circulates.
C. As B. The players must always make in-out movements: they move as if to make running-in shots but when it is their turn to receive the ball, they move away from the korf to catch the ball and pass to the next player. See the next figure.
D. Carousel: this is a variation on C. The players do not only move in-out but also around the korf, in such a way that there is always one player in each quadrant. The ball moves in the opposite direction to the players – thus if the players move to the left, the ball is passed to the right.
The above exercises actually have nothing to do with attacking, as no goal attempts take place. Thus attacking is not the objective, rather the objective is the use of space and the circulation of the ball.
E. The ball is played as in A. Each player stays in his own quadrant and passes the ball at will. On a signal from the trainer, the player with the ball shoots and the player diagonally opposite rebounds. Thereafter, the passing continues as before. The trainer signals regularly (for example, every ten seconds) for a shot to take place.
As exercise A, exercise E is meant especially for beginners. More advanced players have no need of the trainer’s signal, but otherwise the 4-0 system is much the same.
F. Exercise A is once again the starting point. Now one of the two players who are furthest from the ball reacts to a signal from the trainer to sprint to the korf for a running-in shot. The player who gave the pass is the one to rebound and then each player returns to his/her quadrant and the passing combinations continue.
G. As F, but now veering-off shots are taken instead of running-in shots.
H. As F, but now the players change quadrants after each running-in shot. The player who shoots leaves an empty square behind that must be filled by one of the others. It is a bit like musical chairs: after the attacking movement, each player must find a free space for him/herself,
The logical sequence to this exercise is Free Combination. Stress that the space in the division should be used as well as possible.
Perform all of the above exercises with defenders.