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Defence Exercises	IOHA Coaching Information Index	Fast Break Exercises

Defence Exercises

Exercise 1

Players pair off, one against one to practice individual defensive skills.

Players face each other and hold hands (one hand only). Players must then :

Slap knees of partner while avoiding being slapped themselves
Slap back of partner while avoiding being slapped themselves
Step on feet of partner while avoiding being stepped on themselves

Repeat above drills while not holding hands.

Players remain facing their partner :

From standing, jump up and touch chest to chest

Take three steps back then run and jump up touching chest to chest. Aim is to make your partner fall down.

Exercise 2

Players pair off - one player is a defender, the other is the attacker (with a ball).

Variation 1 :

The attacker (e.g. Player A) runs at the defender (e.g. Player C) in an attempt to take a shot.

Player C must tackle Player A - place one hand on A’s hip and one hand on the shooting arm. Should attempt to push Player A backwards.

Keep repeating this drill. On the coaches whistle both players sprint to the opposite goal passing the ball between them.

Variation 2 :

The attacker (e.g. Player A) runs at the defender (e.g. Player C) and jumps up pretending to take a jump shot. Player C must jump up and using both hands touch the ball in Payers A’s hand.

Keep repeating this drill. On the coaches whistle Player A sprints to the opposite goal dribbling the ball while Player C chases.

Exercise 3

Player A passes to Player B who returns the pass.

Player A takes the ball on the move and runs towards Defender E who steps out to stop him on the 9m line. As Defender E steps out Defender F covers behind him.

Once stopped Player A passes to Player B who takes the ball on the run. Defender F moves out to stop Player B on the 9m line. Defender E now moves back to cover behind Defender F.

Player B then passes the ball to the next player - Player C, and the drill continues. The defenders must always touch / tackle their opponent. Maintain a high tempo at all times.

After several repetitions introduce another attacker who plays as a line player. The covering defender must cover the line player. The two other attackers may attempt to pass to him.

Defence Exercises

This page created and maintained by
Stephen Healy
Last updated 11-08-1999