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Netball: Defend the Lane

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Jo, Netball Coach

DESCRIPTION

This drill is for a defender to practice intercepting and dictating play.

Use 4 feeders to make a space like a wide corridor for the attacker in a third. Have 2 feeders on each side of the third 8-10m apart facing each other.

The attacker will start the drill by passing to one of the first feeders, who will then pass back to the attacker. The attacker then has to pass to the next feeder on the same side.

It doesn't matter which side they pick to start the drill, but both passes have to stay on the same side each time.

The Attacker also has to receive the ball in line with or in front of the Feeder, to keep play moving forward.

COACHING POINTS

Make sure if the defender misses the intercept that they get their arms up straight away to prevent the attacker passing.
Once the attacker has offloaded to the first feeder the defender should step across and in between the feeder and attacker to direct the attacker away.
If the defender is using a face on method of defending then they should angle themselves to see the ball and the attacker. They should step across the attacker, follow her whilst still facing her until 2.5s, then open out (180°) and move back with her for the intercept.
The defender needs to move back before making a jump, if they jump too soon then it gives the attacker time to move.
If the defender gets stuck behind the passing then they should overrun ahead and cut back in.

Compare face-to-face marking with side on:

Face marking: the Defender can see the Attacker for longer (note the Defender does not turn their back to the ball completely- they can still see both the Attacker and the player with the ball)
Side on (Keeping the Attacker on their back): the Defender can see the whole court and intercept passes to other players (more advanced)

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OFTEN USED WITH...

Defend the Corridor:

This drill is for a defender to practice intercepting and dictating play.

Use 4 feeders to make a space like a wide corridor for the attacker in a third. Have 2 feeders on each side of the third 6-7m apart facing each other.

The attacker will start the drill by passing to one of the first feeders, who will then pass back to the attacker. The attacker then has to pass to one of the next 2 feeders further up, on either side.

The attacker also has to receive the ball in line with or in front of the Feeder, to keep play moving forward.

Defence

1 vs 1 Defending in the Circle:

Slowly the two attackers pass the ball back and forth down the court towards the circle. The defender must move to the ball side of the player inside the circle.

The defender must remain on their toes and keep moving as the two attacking players can put the ball into the circle at any point.

Defence

Defenders Dictating Play:

Create a narrow channel for 2 attackers and 2 defenders to work in, from the centre circle to the end of court.

Have a feeder on each side of the channel; both able to move along the side.

Attackers are attempting to play the ball over the baseline.

Defenders are focusing on keeping the attackers high or forcing them to make as many passes as possible.

(The more passes the attackers are forced to make the better. This is because they are more likely to make errors under fatigue and gives the defenders more opportunities to intercept.)

Points

Attackers pass the ball over the baseline = 1 point to Attackers

Defender intercepts the ball =1 point to Defenders

Best of 5

Defence

Additional defence:

The first team starts with the ball inside the attacking third, with all the other players except one stood outside the area.

The aim for the team in the area with the ball is to complete as many sets of 5 passes as possible. Every time they complete 5 passes another defender from outside the area is allowed in to try and intercept the ball.

Once all of the defending players have entered the playing area, or after an interception has been made, the teams change over and try to beat the first teams score.

Group practices

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