Playname : Play - 2, 3, 4 drop
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1
Objective: To keep the ball away from a strong centre forward or to force him to shoot quickly. To force the majority of shots to come from the outside. To disrupt the opposition's attack and tempo.
Description: The defenders of positions 1 and 5 should press their men. The defenders of 2, 3 and 4 positions drop off their attacker when he does not have the ball. If their attacker has the ball, the defender walks out towards the attacker, making the tackle he gets close enough (the defender must put the attacker down if he gets close). In the example illustrated, 2's defender move out, while 3 and 4 drop. The defender of #6 should prevent the attacker playing the ball but without conceding a major foul. He should block the corner of the goal nearer to him. |
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2
When their man has the ball, the defenders of the 2 and 4 positions move out to their respective attackers blocking the corner of the goal nearest to them. 3's defender is usually going to match hands with the attacker and block a shot to right-side of the goal (from the attacker's point of view). The diagram illustrates typical shooting lanes to block for the outside defenders. The centre back is usually occupied marking the centre forward (still on the left-shoulder for a right-handed centre), but may be able to get a blocking arm up to the opposite side of the outside blocker.
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3
When their man does not have the ball, outside defenders should have their hips up towards their man on the perimeter and lean towards the centre forward, ready to make the steal when the ball is played in (as 2 and 3 defenders illustrated here): "Head in, feet out".
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4
Should an outside attacker drive, his defender should follow him, although other defenders may assist in picking up the driver. The defender of the attacker with the ball must put that attacker under pressure, so that player cannot pass unimpeded.
Where an attacking player is outside shooting range, that player's defender should not follow him, but should block and stay in range of dropping on the centre forward. |
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5
Defender must always be helping eachother in defence. For example where 2's defender has moved out to pressure that attacker, it may be better for that defender to move to pressure attacker 3, while 3's original defender may move to cover attacker 2. This may be termed a "helping defence" and disrupts the opposition's attacking structure.
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6
Should the centre back get position (towards ball-side, usually on the left shoulder) of the centre forward, the defenders of 2, 3 and 4 positions should press out on the attacking players. The centre back and/or goalkeeper should call the press, although the need to press, or drop, should be apparent to perimeter defenders by observing from time to time what is happening at the centre forward position.
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This page was made with Water Polo Playbook from Jes-Soft