Techniques to intercept a lob pass?

Lee-annes NetballCoach, Australia

a true lob pass is only done in the circle. the rest are just high passes. in the circle it is very difficult to defend, as the defender is actually being blocked/zoned by the shooter and the shooter only moves when the ball is past the 12 oclock position and on the downward path. this pass can only really be intercepted when they move too early giving the defender time to tip or catch it from them.

intercepting a high pass requires timing and lift and a good stretch from the interceptor. lots of drills that improve the players lift using their arms, as well as their legs to get them up off the ground. timing is just practice. figure of 8 drills where the player runs in a figure of 8 around 2 players who are passing in a rythmic and consistant manner and the worker intercepts the ball as they come around the player and then passes back to the next player and keeps running. can also be done from just standing from one side of a player and cutting across the path.

if you are taling about catching from a stationery position when a pass is passed high about the defender, then it is still about lift and timing and the above drills are still needed, but you can do high passes to the worker who has to jump to catch (which would be an intercept on the court) it above their head.

hope that helps.

Sheryl PascoeCoach, Australia

That`s great - I will put that into aciton.

Janet Coach, Australia

Practising jumping and catching/pulling ball down with one hand can also be useful for intercepting lobs. Although we usually like our players to catch ball with both hands this is not always possible with a lob and defenders can get a bit more height going up one handed even if it is only to tip the ball away from the goalie. Practising pulling ball down one handed should be done from both static jump and fast feet jump.

Sheryl PascoeCoach, Australia

Good idea

. Thxs