Game play: centre pass, attacking and defending

1Why this matters

In a game, the skills of passing, catching and shooting have to work together under pressure from seven opponents. Tactics are the plans that make this happen: how to win the ball from the centre pass, how to move it into the circle, and how to stop the other team doing the same.

2The centre pass

Play starts, and restarts after every goal, with a centre pass. The teams take turns, whoever scored. The centre stands in the centre circle; the goal attack, wing attack, wing defence and goal defence wait outside the centre third and may run in when the umpire whistles. The pass must be caught or touched in the centre third.

Figure 2. A centre pass. Red attacks to the right. GA leads back into the centre third and C passes to her. Diagram: Ganzaa.

Tactic: give the centre at least two options. Here the WA dodges forward while the GA leads back; the centre passes to whichever is free.

3Attacking tactics

• Create space: dodge, change pace, and time your lead so you arrive as the passer is ready.
• Clear and re-lead: if you are not free, move away quickly to leave the space for a teammate, then lead again.
• Support: always have two teammates offering for the ball, forming a triangle with the passer.
• Feed the circle: WA and C pass into the shooters, choosing the shooter who is closest to the post and free.
• Keep the ball moving: quick, safe passes give the defence no time to set.

4Defending tactics

Defending happens in three stages:

1. Mark the player. Stay close to your opponent, usually one-on-one, and position yourself to deny her the pass, for example by standing in front of her.
2. Mark the ball. If she receives it, stand 0.9 m from her landing foot with arms up to block the pass or shot.
3. Intercept. Watch the passer's eyes and the receiver's lead, then step or jump into the pass at the right moment.

Some teams use a zone defence instead, with each defender guarding an area, which can crowd the space in front of the circle. After winning the ball, switch immediately to attack: the moment of turnover is when the opponents are least organised.

Worked example

Your GK, Umutoni, is much shorter than the opposing GS, who scores almost every shot from close to the post.

Decision. Umutoni should front the GS: stand between her and the ball, not behind her, so the GS cannot receive the ball close to the post. A tall shooter who never gets the ball cannot score.

5A class game

1. Seven a side with bibs; if you have none, pin paper labels with the letters.
2. Play four quarters of 5 minutes. After each quarter, every player changes position, so everyone learns every role.
3. A student umpire calls stepping, offside, obstruction and contact; the teacher checks.
4. After the game, each team names one attacking and one defending tactic it used.

Practice

Solution. The goal attack, wing attack, wing defence and goal defence, as well as the centre who takes the pass.

Solution. A fault. The centre pass must be caught or touched in the centre third, and the GS may not enter it anyway.

Solution. Clear the space quickly so a teammate can use it, then re-lead with a dodge or change of pace.

Solution. Mark the player, mark the ball, intercept.