The shape
Each defender takes a patch of court instead of an opponent. In the centre third the centre and wing defence stand level about 5 metres apart, with the wing attack and goal attack a few metres behind them, so the four form a loose box the ball must be passed over or through. In our defensive third the goal defence covers the top of the circle and the goal keeper covers the post. Every defender stands with arms wide and eyes on the ball, shifting as it moves, so the only pass available is a long lob.
Roles
- Centre and wing defence. The front of the box. Stand in the passing lanes, shuffle sideways as the ball moves and go for the intercept when a pass is lobbed over.
- Wing attack and goal attack. The back of the box. Cover the space behind the front two and pick off the pass that gets through, already in position to attack when the ball is won.
- Goal defence. Covers the top of the circle and steps to any pass into the circle edge, leaving the post to the goal keeper.
- Goal keeper. Owns the post. Watches the ball, intercepts the long pass into the circle and rebounds. Never follows a shooter out.
- Goal shooter. Stays in the attacking third as the target for the fast break.
Strengths
- Forces the opposition to lob, the easiest pass to intercept.
- Protects defenders who are slower than their opposite number.
- Confuses a team that has only ever faced one-on-one marking.
- Saves energy: defenders shuffle rather than sprint.
Weaknesses
- A team that passes short and quick will walk through the gaps.
- One player who misunderstands their zone breaks the whole thing.
- Weak against a side that drives into the circle from the centre third.
- Umpires call obstruction readily if arms are over a player rather than in a lane.
When to use it
Bring it out when the opposition pass long, when your defenders are being beaten for pace, or when a game needs changing in the third quarter. It suits a tall side with good hands and a goal keeper who reads the game. For under 14s and above, because the positional discipline is a lot to ask of younger players. Use it for a few minutes at a time, then go back to one-on-one before they adjust.
What to coach in training
- Box shuffle in fours: the four centre-court defenders follow a coach who walks the ball around the centre third. No attackers at first, then add two who try to receive inside the box.
- Lob intercept: attackers may only lob over the box and the defenders practise reading the flight and jumping for the intercept. Count intercepts in a set of twenty.
- Switching: a coach calls zone or mark during a practice match and the team has one pass to change.
Works well against
The zone is at its best against a team that relies on long passes and a goal attack who drives from the centre third, because both run into bodies. It also unsettles a standard two-lead centre pass, since the leads find the space already occupied. It is picked apart by a team that moves the ball in short passes and uses the sidelines, which is why it is a change-up rather than a default.
