Playname : Play - man-down standard
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1
Objective: Not to concede man-down goals, particularly from the wing positions.
Description: With the ball at attacking 1 position, the left post defender must cover that post. When blocking, he should move towards the attacker, not drop back towards the goal line: he may be able to tackle the attacker particularly if the attacker is not left handed. The defender may move initially to block with his left arm, but should mirror block (right arm if the attacker is left handed). The priority for the defender is not giving a goal away on the near post. The other two metre defenders move towards their respective post attackers to prevent the ball being thrown to them. They may be able to block the far post shot. The goalkeeper will stay on his line, a third away from the left post. His priority is covering the middle and far side of the goal. The defenders of the players at 2 and 4 position must stay within jumping distance of their respective post players to cover passes to these positions, and must be ready to block the 2 and 4 positions. |
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2
With the ball at 2 position, that positions defender should block immediately and move towards the attacker, covering the left side of goal, but not going out beyond jumping distance of the post attacker.
The two metre wing/post defenders drop onto the post attackers. The middle two metre defender blocks the right side of the goal: if he moves to cover the right post attacker (rp), he can block with his left hand (marking the post attacker with his right). 4's defender must prevent the ball being played to the attacker and may try to intercept a pass to 5. If the ball is at 4 or 5, the same principles apply mirroring the defence for the ball being at 2 or 1 position respectively. |
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3
The defending team should try and counter attack when the shot happens and possession is secured.
The two post defenders need to ensure first that no goals are scored from rebounds or blocked shots. They can then break out to the wings to be available for a pass. The two defenders of the outside shooters, unless they are free, should also release for the ball. The defender from between the posts is the most likely to be free on the counter attack. |
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4
Coaching point:
Apart from the exceptions stated in the above text and when the blocker is distant from the attacker, blockers should match hands with attacker's hand holding the ball ("mirror block"). So the defender moving out to 4 in the diagram should have his left hand up, assuming the attacker at 4 is right-handed (he may start with his right hand up to ensure the right corner of the goal is blocked and change to matching hands when he gets nearer to the attacker). |
This page was made with Water Polo Playbook from Jes-Soft