Defending the centre pass

Setup

1. Attack: C in the centre circle with the ball, WA, GA and GS in their goal third.
2. Defence: wd fronts WA on the transverse line, gd marks GA, gk marks GS, c in the centre third.

How it runs

1. On the whistle the attackers drive for the centre pass.
2. wd stays body-on to push WA wide; c sits in the straight lane from C.
3. gd watches the ball and the player and attacks the pass if it hangs.
4. Defence scores a point for an intercept or a held ball; play to a shot otherwise.

Coaching points

• Body-on: hold your line with your body, no hands or pushing.
• c: stand where the pass wants to go, not on top of C.
• Read the passer's eyes and shoulders before you go.
• Go only when you can reach the ball; if not, stay goal side.

Common mistakes

• Contact on the whistle: pushing or blocking with the arms.
• Every defender going for the same intercept and leaving space behind.