3-2-1 defense is surely the most entertaining defense system, but it
is also incredible condition demanding, as the defender must not only
pay attention to her own attacker, but also be ready to help her close
team-mates to cover their attacking player.
Due to the very offensive defense the attackers are pressed all the
time, which can destroy their basic play and force them to make rash
or long passes, which opens the possibility for contra attack. BUT:
The defense must be very attentive as there is a lot of space behind
the defense. Therefore it happens that a slip in communication is made
in the defense and an attacker may run unhindered through and score.
It is especially dangerous if a back or a wing can receive a ball and
run behind the center defense and attack the middle area. Here there
is only one defender, and she must cover the pivot. She will have to
choose either to cover the pivot or the attacking wing/back. If she
covers the wing/back the pivot will be free - if she covers the pivot,
the wing/back will be free. Quite a dilemma.
Especially children like the 3-2-1 defense, as it is funny. They
want to be where the ball is, and it seems natural for them to play some
sort of 3-2-1 defense, but as the defense system demands great discipline,
it is a somewhat risky system for the young players.
The types of defense
3-2-1 can be played offensive and defensive, but besides this there
are several other types, namely the traditional, the initiative and
the anticipative.
Under a traditional defense the rule is, that the defender covers
the attackers running lane by moving forward and against the intended
running lane.
Under an initiative defense the defender must try to force the
attacker into a predetermined direction - for instance force the
attacker outwards. By indicating that the defender is ready to cover
on the inside the attacker will see a possibility to attack on the
outside, which is exactly what the defender had in mind and is
prepared for that. The initiative
defense can be well used when the attacking back tries or backs try to seek the
middle in an attempt to shoot all the time - when the wings are bad
shooters or if you want the play of attack to be performed in that side,
where the opponents are not so good.
Under the anticipative defense it is about covering the lane of the
ball in an attempt to steal it or create a pressed situation for the
player, who has the ball. Here are 2 of the best way to steal the ball:
1. when the ball is thrown from the wings towards the middle of the
court.
2. when the ball is passed to the wings.
The 1st possibility arises when the wing is deep and wants to return
the ball to the back. Here the defense back may push forward and steal
the ball. The 2nd possibility arises when the attack back moves in and
wants to pass to the wing. If the defending wing is ready there is a
possibility to steal the ball again.
Defense assignments:
General:
The defender moves close to the attacker
when she has or is about to get the ball. However she must take care
that she is not lured to far out, as the defense will be too open and
it will be impossible to return in time to be backup the her team-mate.
When the attacker passes the ball, the defender moves diagonally backwards
and is ready to backup for her team-mate. The hands are raised to the
height of the shoulders or to the sides to show the attackers to indicate,
that there is no room for a shot or break through. Running in from backs
or wings with a ball behind playmaker or passes of the ball behind playmaker
must be avoided.
When the attacking wing has the ball:
The defending wing covers the attack wing in the inside to prevent
breaking through in the inside/running in and pass to the pivot. If
the attacking wing goes on the outside she is pressed as far as possible
backwards forcing the wing to shoot from a difficult position, which
is more easy for the goalkeeper to block.
If the wing tries to break through on the inside, this must be stopped
eventually with help from the defending back, who is ready. The other
defending players are defensive and the opposite wing has moved inwards
to make the defense more compact.
When the attacking back has the ball:
The defense back's task is to cover the attacking back and prevent
shooting, breaking through on both sides and passing to the pivot.
If the attacking back tries a break through on the outside, the attacker
is pressed against the wing, who is positioned diagonally behind the
offensive back, ready to back up. The wing however must be ready to
cover her own wing, who in this situation can pull outward and be free
for a pass from the back. The defending wing must then try to get into
position and press the attacking wing as much as possible. If she does
not succeed it is up the goalkeeper to block the shot, but the risk
is smaller if the wings are shooting than the opponents are able to
break through from the back positions.
If a break through is tried on the inside, the defending back must
handle the matter herself. Playmaker might help but there is greater
possibilities by pressing the opponent's playmaker and by this force
the attacking back to a back-back pass, which gives the opposite back
or wing a possibility to steal the ball and start a contra attack.
The opposite back covers on the inside against the middle defense
and is prepared for any running in attempt from own attacking back as well as a long
pass to the pivot.
The defense wing is a little more offensive and is oriented at the
ball and her attack wing and the possibility to steal the ball in case
of a back-back pass.
When playmaker has the ball:
The playmaker of the defense covers the attacking playmaker and must
prevent shots at goal, breaking through and passing to the pivot.
If the attacking playmaker should feint the defending playmaker
and come behind her, the backcourt on the side of the break through
must take over the defense of the attacking playmaker. The defending
playmaker falls back and seeks the attacking pivot..
The defense wings have moved inwards and the defending backs have
moved diagonally inwards. It is very important that no attempts of stealing
is made, when playmaker is in possession of the ball, as the defense
will be quite open, if the try to steal the ball fails.
When the ball is passed to the pivot:
This is not desirable as it is the primary task of the center defense
is to prevent
this situation besides leading the defense. The center defender must try to be between
the pivot and the ball or - at least - be ready to sweep the ball away before
the pivot can catch it.
If the pivot moves behind the defending back it is not absolutely
necessary for the center player to follow her, as the defense will be
open for an attentive breaking through player in the middle zone. The
center forward must inform the wing about the danger so that she can
back up, while the defending back is offensive - and only intervene
if the back attacks - or the ball is passed to the attacking wing in
the same side
Communication
3-2-1 defense is communication defense with the emphasis on communication.
It is important that with a few words the defense is able to
transmit the information with as much as possible certainty - and by
this increase the defense effectiveness. If the defense players move
outwards, it is important to keep them informed on what is going on
behind their backs and so they can expect the attacker's intensions.
The following is taken from Peter Schmidts (haandboldtips.dk) suggestion
about communication in a 3-2-1 defense:
It is therefore of great importance that simple signal words between
center/backs and center/center forward are agreed. Signal words between
center to backs could be:
BACKING and OVER, where
BACKING means:
- That the back is not very offensive - about 1 m under the free-throw
line.
- That the center can help with blocking and tackling towards
the middle.
- That the back covers in front and outward.
- That the center forward must be a bit defensive.
- That the center forward must put the attacking back in doubt
whether she tackles or not - as a main rule she does not. The primary
task is to prevent a hard, direct back-back pass, sideway pass to the
pivot and - besides that - take care of her defense obligations against
the opponent's center.
- That the defense wing shall not back up unless otherwise agreed.
- That the back, in a second phase situation is 'out of work'
and therefore is able to back up if the opponent's wing attacks the
defending wing.
OVER means:
- That the defending back must move forward and meet the opponent
about 1 meter outside the free-throw line.
- That the back covers the attacking back right on and to the
inside.
- That the center forward must not back up, unless a 100 per cent
game stop occur. She is welcome to mark a tackling or backing up for
the attacking back reduces speed in her attack. This rule may only be
departed if quite unique situations occurs.
- That the center must be able to close the hole if the attacking
back breaks through on the outside of the defending back. The back must
then be able to fall back and take an eventual pass to the pivot. Whether
the wing must back up or not is agreed upon from time to time, depending
the ability of the attacking wing.
- That the back must be ready to cover fast passing to the pivot
(hands up when the defending back moves forward).
- That the opposite defending wing/back must be extra attentive
and extra defending against blind running in. In case of a blind running
in, where the defending wing follows the attacking wing under the back,
the wing must shout OUTSIDE (several times and very loud).
Signal words from center to center forward could be: RIGHT and
LEFT.
As the center as a principle must follow the ball, it is not always
necessary to pass signals to the forward positioned center forward.
But in certain situations it might be a help to the center forward to
know where the center is, and by that know where the center forward
can expect backing up.
If a playmaker attacks the center forward, the center could give
signal about which side she is positioned with the pivot. If she says
RIGHT the center forward may expect back up to her right side. Else
the signal is LEFT.
Rotation defense
Often it is an advantage to use rotating defense in a game - that
is 2 defending players switch place. This may confuse the attackers,
as they are not quite sure which defender they must attack. It is most
often back and playmaker, who switches.