3-2-1 defense
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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.
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