The attacking circle - tactics for shooters

The attacking circle - tactics for shooters

a sample session

Aim

To create smooth passages of play in and around the goal circle

The warm up

Always be thinking about the movements the players use in a game and design a warm up to assist them to concentrate on the job ahead. For example, jogging up and down the court is certainly increasing their blood flow to assist safe stretching. However, mentally, the activity does nothing at all. Instead, jogging around and over the court with special attention to the player’s particular playing area assists their concentration and preparation for the game.

Design a programme of activities which include:

* jogging with plenty of changes of direction

* jumping, turning and jogging around the goal circles

* jog backward forwards and sideways working in the goal

circle area with focus on the goal post.

* stretch with plenty of arm mobility exercises

* short sprint speed work including over one third, over two thirds for GA’s and plenty of 6 step pace work, e.g. goal line to top of the circle, across the circle etc.

The work out - a sequence of development

Movement skill

Place marker cones in the goal circle about 1 metre apart

Facing down court and using a running step, the shooter makes figures of 8, working around the cones.

Add the other shooter, emphasising the need to keep a balanced circle - exercise in spatial awareness and positioning.

Add a pass from a stationary feeder

Take the cones away try to keep the figure of 8 pattern going as much as possible.

Use chest and bounce passes, varying the distance, height and strength.

Stress the need for forward or diagonal backward movement to take a pass.

Add one player as a defender

The ball starts in the circle, passes out to the moving feeder, who passes to the free player, who shoots for goal with normal defending and rebounding taking place.

Stress the need for eye or ball faking by the feeder before the ball is passed.

Add another feeder (WA,C)

The ball travels from the centre with the pass going to the WA. Both shooters are in the circle moving in a figure of 8 pattern with one defender marking the players.

The ball is passed in and out of the circle three times before a shot is attempted.

Stress the need for cooperative play between the players with good body language and eye contact.

The GA stands out of the circle and could receive the centre pass

As a variation require the ball to be passed to the GA before it enters the shooting circle.

Again nominate the number of times the ball must be passed between the players before a shot is attempted.

Add defenders and build up into a centre pass strategy with options

of pass, in and around the circle.