Plays - set def
Playname : Play - m zone

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 be predictable and to come from the outside, preferably from the 2 position. To counter-attack particularly from the defenders gapping between the 2 and 3, and 3 and 4 attackers. Description: The defenders of positions 2, 3 and 4 fill the gaps between two players, shuffling between the two, always making them feel under threat of a tackle; "stunting" towards the attacker with ball, threatening the player if not actually tackling. It is usually preferable to force the shot from the 2 position if there is a right-hander at that position. The gapping defenders' horizontal body position is crucial: typically hips up, facing towards their own goal, ready to swivel on their hips to counter. The defenders of positions 1 and 5 press their attackers ball-side, though may occasionally drop back to cover a drive. They should be looking for the counter attack and should keep defensive shape. The defender of #6 should prevent the attacker playing the ball but without conceding a major foul. He may be able to block the corner of the goal nearer to him, using a vertical blocking body position. He should also attempt to push the attacker out to become less of a threat. The defender of position 3 drops in front of that centre forward to deny the pass in and blocks shots from the 2, 3 and 4 positions.

2 If #4 has the ball, the top defender should tackle that player. It is preferable if the defender between 3 and 4 concentrates on 4, because this is the most dangerous position from which to shoot. The dropping player moves to block any shot. The other top defender moves towards the #3 attacker. The defence moves the other way if #2 has the ball, although if that player may be left to shoot if a weaker shooter, particularly if not left handed. For the defender between 2 and 3, the priority is tackling attacker 3, because this is the more dangerous position to shoot from (unless there is a left-handed shooter at position 2). Naturally if the players at 2, 3 and 4 positions walk within 5 metres with the ball, they must be tackled. The position of defender will need to vary according to the abilities of the attackers in their various position: for example, there is a strong left-handed shooter at 2 position, the gapping defender must pay that attacker a lot more attention.

3 If the defence wins the ball, the gapping defenders are in a very good position to counter attack. The M Zone defence is typically used in the last 10 seconds of possession for the attacking team, when the defence is looking to counter. It also appropriate when playing against a very strong centre forward or against a less mobile team.

4 Should one of the top attackers drive, the defence should keep its shape. The driver's defender should shadow the drive until the attacker gets behind him, at which point, in the example illustrated, the wing defender fades and picks him up. Usually the wing attacker moves up or is too deep to shoot. In contrast to press or drop defences, the principle is to hand over the driving attacker to another defender where the attacker is heading. Adjustment to this drive is illustrated in the next diagram.

5 The attack may attempt to get to ball to player 5 and the top defender should "stunt" towards that attacker.

6 Should the attack set up two strong centres, level with the left and right posts, the defence should adjust by making sure the wings are covered and dropping from those wings slightly onto the centres. On defender should gap between the top attackers while the one defender drops in front of the two centres as illustrated. Note that the priority of the gapping defender should be the attacker on the stronger shooting side, while priority of the drop should be off 2 position. If the centres are not strong enough to take up a good position, the defence can simply press out, with one of the centre backs moving forward to defend between the two centres.

7 If dropping from 3 position initially, should one or two of the attackers hang back outside 8 metres, there is no need for defenders to attempt to threaten or tackle that player, who can be left unless he comes closer.

This page was made with Water Polo Playbook from Jes-Soft