The shape
Our wing defence and goal defence line up on our defensive third line, each marking the opposing wing attack and goal attack who will lead into the centre third. Our centre faces the opposing centre, close enough to pressure the pass but outside the centre circle. The goal keeper stays with the goal shooter. Our wing attack and goal attack mark the opposing wing defence and goal defence on the far line, so there is no safe pass backwards. On the whistle the defenders go with their leads and the centre closes the ball.
Roles
- Centre. Stands as close as the rules allow and lifts the arms once the ball is released, forcing a lobbed or rushed pass, then follows the ball.
- Wing defence. Marks the opposing wing attack from the whistle, body between them and the ball, and stays on the circle edge so there is no easy feed.
- Goal defence. Marks the opposing goal attack on the line, then follows them into the circle or holds the top of it.
- Goal keeper. Holds the goal shooter on the post and comes off only when certain of the intercept.
- Wing attack and goal attack. Mark the opposing wing defence and goal defence so the centre has no back pass.
- Goal shooter. Stays in the attacking third ready for the turnover.
Strengths
- Shutting the back pass forces the opposing centre into a risky forward ball.
- Every lead is contested from the first step.
- A tip or intercept turns into a scoring chance within seconds.
- Each player marks the player they always mark.
Weaknesses
- A quick wing attack beats the wing defence off the line and the pressure is gone.
- The centre gets called for obstruction if the 0.9 m is not respected.
- If both forward leads get free, the goal keeper is one on two in the circle.
- Tiring: the whole team sprints on every opposition centre pass.
When to use it
Use it for every opposition centre pass. It suits a quick wing defence and a goal defence who is happy to go with a long lead. Push harder against a nervous centre, and ease off against a team content to pass backwards. For under 12s and under 13s, start with the marking and add the pressure on the centre once the team understands the obstruction distance.
What to coach in training
- Shadowing off the line: the wing defence and goal defence stay within an arm's length of an attacker who leads on the whistle, first without a ball.
- Hands over the ball: the centre closes to a 0.9 m mark on the floor and lifts the arms as the ball is released, with a coach calling obstruction when the distance is wrong.
- Intercept to shot: a defender takes the ball on the opposition centre pass and the team moves it to a shot within four passes.
Works well against
The set-up is strong against a standard two-lead centre pass, because both leads are marked from the line and the back options are closed. It also troubles a hesitant centre, who will hold the ball or throw it away. It is less effective against a team that brings the goal shooter to the circle edge as a third option, pulling the goal keeper off the post.
