© Duncan Cochrane 2010 1

Canoe Polo Level 1Coaching Course

By Duncan Cochrane

Australian Canoeing Award Scheme

Module CP13Defence

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Defence

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Defence is a crucial part of canoe polo. If the opposition can’t score – it is easier to beat them.

Good defence can be the best form of attack – especially if it is constantly changing to maintain pressure on the opposition.

The following topics will be looked at: principles of defence types of defence

The principles of defence(5 B’s of good D)

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1. Boat position

The kayak is between the attacker and the goal. 

2. Body position

The defender’s body is closer to the goal, or behind the body of the attacker. 

3. Ball position

Know where the ball is and whether it is a threat.

4. Boundaries

At all times try to turn or “channel” the ball carrier or shooter toward the boundaries.

5. Banter the secret to good defence is good communication. give clear and concise directions – in triplicate if possible listen to the calls and trust team mates’ directions.

Boat position and ball awareness

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Ball position – know where the ball is

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Boundaries – turn the ball carrier to a boundary

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Turn the boat and block the ball

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Types of defence

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Three types of defence:

1.   Press

2.   Zone defence

3.   Transition defence

  Teach press first – it forces players to learn the

principles of boat position and how to use their kayaks.

No matter what the team, defence comes down to each player’s one-on-one ability to maintain position.

Press

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Features of press Each player marks an opponent There is no set goalkeeper Players must ensure they do not lose their

opponent and that maximum pressure is maintained to force a turnover.

Individual skills Excellent one-on-one skills are essential. Players will only learn to play good defence by

giving them the basics and letting them learn from their mistakes, and the most mistakes will happen during one-on-one drills.

Always ensure your players get enough of these drills, they are crucial to their development.

Press

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Key points Concentrate equally on the player and the ball.

You must know at the same time as your opponent when a pass is coming to anticipate and possibly create a turnover.

Players must know where the ball is so that a quick change of possession leads to a fast break.

Be aware of other players around you in case they need help or vice versa.

Don’t obstruct. Maintaining boat position is most important Channel your opponent to the side line or goal

line to reduce their options.

Press

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Boat positioning Stay on the defensive goal side of an opponent and

be aware of your position on the field in case they can catch and shoot.

Stay close enough to your opponent to copy every move they make, but not so close you can’t avoid screens or lose sight of the ball or other players.

Stay close enough to be able to kayak tackle the player before they can get a pass away after they have received the ball, but not too close that they will paddle away from you. This distance is different for each player and must be assessed depending on the opponents’ speed/fitness and your own speed/fitness.

Press

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Hand tackles Not usually effective against the best players. Boat position should always be primary concern. Timing is essential, the opponent should not have the

paddle in their hands. The best time to hand tackle is:

as a player receives the ball when a player is picking the ball up from the water when a player is shooting.

At these times a player has least control over their balance and is least likely to "ride out" the tackle.

Once the hand tackle is successful, move in closer to make sure they do not roll up and shoot. Be ready to re-tackle (leading to a 5 second infringement) or knock the ball from their hands.

Press

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Zone defence

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Zone defence refers to the positioning of players to protect an area, or zone, around the goal. Each player takes up, and maintains a position within the zone.

There are many different zone formations but the objective of each is the same:

to force any shots to be low percentage shots by keeping offence out of the zone and away from the goal.

Two styles of zone defence static zone rotating zone

Zone defence formations 1-3-1 2-2-1

Zone Styles

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Static zone Players form a zone around the goal and

tenaciously hold position. The intention is to prevent attackers getting close to

the goal and so make it easier for the goal keeper. When a player does shoot, defence is well positioned to get as many paddles as possible between the shot and the goal.

Static zone is ‘the last line of defence’. If all else fails – hold position between the opponent and the goal and turn the attacker. This is especially important against opponents who are more skilful or more powerful.

The static zone has become less popular amongst strong teams and given way to a more aggressive style called the rotating zone.

Zone Styles

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Rotating zone Players form a zone around the goal, but unlike a

static zone where players attempts to maintain

position, players in a rotating zone constantly

rotate positions to intercept attackers. The basic principles are the same as for a static

zone – to stay between the attacker and the goal

and to force low percentage shots.

1-3-1 Zone defence

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1-3-1 1 – a chaser that either sits on the point and

covers the passing lanes to players inside the zone; or attempts to put pressure on the ball carrier to force a poor pass.

3 – three players set out across the front of goal. The centre player is the key defender and controls either side and the point.

1 – the goal keeper.

1-3-1 Zone defence

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1-3-1 Zone defenceprotect the area in front of goal

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2-2-1 Zone defence

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2-2-1 2 – two defenders at the top of the zone or two

chasers to put pressure on the ball carriers 2 – two defenders at the rear to cover angled

drives and to block shots. 1 – goal keeper

2-2-1 Zone defence – static

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2-2-1 Zone defence – rotating

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2-2-1 Zone defence – chasing

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2-2-1 Zone defence

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2-2-1 Chasing defence

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Common points of zone defence

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Meet the attacker with paddle in the water – using power sweep

and brace for momentum and control.

Do not paddle out to attacker at speed – it makes it easier for

them to pass you.

Tackle opponents at the footrest and turn them to the sideline.

Never chase the last player up the field, even if they have the

ball, as it creates an overlap for the opposition.

Always try to ‘push out’ in defence as high as you can from the

goal to force the attacking team further away from goal. This

also gives defence more room to move and places pressure on

the ball.

Always know where the ball is, where team mates are, and

where opponents are. Avoid ‘tunnel vision’ on one opponent.

Common points of zone defence

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Keep kayak at 45 degree angle to goal line either left or right of centre depending on which side of zone you are on

Never meet an attacker driving in end on – always at an angle

Keep your body just behind that of the attackers. Directions to leave a player or stay with a player always

come from the back of the zone. Stay with a player until told not to by a team mate behind you or until the attacker is facing the sideline

If in doubt hold position and make the attacker come to you. If you have no one to mark, look to the top of the zone and

get to the next driver. Always try to get under the attacker.

Transition defence

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Transition defence occurs when a there is a turnover and a team transitions from offensive to defensive.

As players move from beyond the half way line of the field to take up zone defence positions under goal, they mark opponents.

Position between opponent and the goal.

Get your boat under to keep control in the zone

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Module CP14Offence Tactics

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Offence

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Offence types of offence key principles of offence

Types of Offence

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There are five main types of offence:

Penetrating Offence Where attackers attempt to get inside a zone

defence to disrupt it.

Shifting Offence Where the attackers try to shift a zone defence to

one side or the other.

Overlap Offence Used against zone defence to draw defenders

and create an overlap for a team mate.

Types of Offence

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Man on Man Offence Used against a man on man defence.

Transition Offence Used after a turnover by the attacking team, the

defence team now attacks before their opponents can settle into defence.

Key principles of offence

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Get players thinking about offence from the first session. Some simple rules apply to all offensive situations: every player must always threaten the goal – if they

don’t, defence will not need to mark them. create a high percentage shot – preferably 1-on-1

with the goal keeper in the centre corridor in front of goal

attacking moves are most successful if done at speed don’t drive at the centre of the goal — it just

compacts the middle of the zone — use the angles. when attacking a zone, move the defender across the

centre line of the field or towards the base line to open up the high percentage – shooting corridor.

Key principles of offence

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Always know where the ball is – who has it, where it is on the field

Always know where your own players are on the field, and where all your opponents are.

Always have someone ready to defend (cover) if the ball is turned over.

Offence, like defence relies on good communication between team mates to give each other specific directions so everyone is working together.

Ideally – unless you are the inside shooter, face the same way as the defender so you can cover if there is a turnover.

Shift the offence across the centrelineor to the baseline

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Shift the defence across the centre line

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Screen out a defender to allowteam mate a clear shot at goal

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Screen out the defenders to allow team mate to shoot at goal

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Screen out the defendersto allow team mate to shoot at goal

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Screen in attack

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Draw defence wide to open up the middle

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Once you have finished your drive – cover

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Once you have finished your drive – cover

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Drive at speed with the ball to draw defendersthen pass off early

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Drive at speed and on the angleto make defenders commit

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Drawing defence and creating an overlap

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Penetrate the inside of the zone andhold a position so you can get the ball and shoot

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If inside be ready for the ball

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Penetrate the inside of the zone and hold a position so you can get the ball and shoot

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Move to get clear

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Dribble to space in own half to keep ball

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Move to get clear

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Fast breaks

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Key Points Don’t paddle up the middle of the field. Break to sides

then forward to create more space in front of goals and better passing angles

Use outlet passes to side as first pass instead of long bomb up field. It is far safer, more accurate and gives better passing angles

If your break does not eventuate the players first up the field continue into normal offence and shift or penetrate the zone and then cover once their role is no longer effective

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CONGRATULATIONS !

You have just completed theoff-water component of the

Level 1 Canoe Polo Coaching Course.