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Stop a tall goal shooter

We are playing in n a grand final this week and the opposition has a very tall GS and holds very well. I am thinking of getting my defences to double team her but wanting to know best way to teach this & also what's the best way of stopping the GA (just getting WD & c to try & block her getting in the ring) any thoughts on best way to beat a tall shooter. The girls are 13 but played a lot of netball. Thanks

Sonia RobertsCoach, Australia

1 answer

ANSWERS

Lee-annes NetballCoach, Australia

if you decide double teaming is the best way, then my stategy would be to have the shorter of the 2 defenders zoning/blocking the tall shooter from behind to stop her setting up the circle for lobs and the taller defence in front to try and stop any passes in. while trying to slow down the GA with your WD and C but as soon as she comes in then the behind defence needs to peel off and pick up the pass that will be coming in for her. this is always going to be a much easier pass to the GA once she gets free of your two center players. so timing the intercept is crucial, and once done a couple of times, then they will be expecting it and they will set up the pass to draw your defence player away for the GS and just lob it in.

the other option is to just have one of your defenders in the circle defending from behind the tall shooter and keep the GD on the GA, and keep her as high up on the circle as they can to try and force the shot and get the rebound.

you could also have them practise defending space rather than a player, but with a tall shooter it is always going to be much easier for them to get the ball into her unless you have tall defence to match her height.

at the end of the day, no one defence tactic is going to work. give them lots of options, and have them practise them, but make sure they dont just stick to the one style.

footwork and intercepting drills would be what i would be working on, along with getting around your player using the outside arm, and basic zoning.

good luck in the GF.