Opening playing variants against various defense systems. Jörg Madinger

to the pivot following different initial actions are a factor of success against any defense system. The players initially play against offensive defense systems; usually, there are large gaps which can be used by the pivot, and passing the ball to the pivot is possible very frequently.

      A3.1 Preparatory exercise 1: Passing to the pivot

      Setting:

      - The players each have a ball and stand on both back positions. They should stand broadly (close to the side line).

      - One pivot and one defense player each stand on either side of the 7-meter line.

      Basic position of the pivot:

      -

stands in basic position, placing a screen next to

, and stretching the hand upward that is further away from the defense player, to catch a pass (figure 2).

      -

should keep the defense player behind by using his body and a proper leg posture.

      -

must not use his left arm for screening off

(in the example), but rather hold it in front of his body.

      (Figure 1)

      Course:

      -

in direction of the latter’s hand stretched upward.

      -

should catch the ball with one hand (ideally) (A).

      - As soon as he has caught the ball,

turns around and shoots at the goal (B).

      - Afterwards, the players start the sequence over on the other side, with

and

(C).

      (Figure 2)

      Instructions for the two defense players:

      - At the beginning of the exercise, the defense player should allow the catching, turning and shooting moves.

      - In the next step, the defense player should increase the pressure right before the pivot receives the pass and try to leave the screen.

      - As soon as the pivot has received the ball, the defense player should vigorously try to prevent him from shooting at the goal.

      

The pivots should place the screening in such a way that the defense player always stands behind them.

      A3.2 Preparatory exercise 2: Finding the right timing for a pass

      Setting:

      - The two foremost defense players (

and

) initially stand at the 9-meter line.

      - The pivot and the respective defense player (

and

) start at the 7-meter line.

      (Figure 1)

      Course:

      -

passes the ball into the running path of

(A).

      -

, so that

must sidestep towards the outer side in order to adjust his position (B).

      (Figure 2)

      →

places a screen next to

(see previous exercise – figure 2).

      - If the passing path to the inner side, i.e. to

, is unobstructed,

directly (C).

      - If the passing path to the inner side is obstructed,

should try to break through to the inner side 1-on-1 (D).

      →

should take care that his throwing hand is never blocked so that he can play a pass anytime.

      -

should try to prevent a breakthrough to the inner side (E).

      - As soon as the passing path to

has become free during the 1-on-1 action, the pass should be played (F) (figure 3).

      (Figure 3)

      

, so that he ideally can catch it with one hand (figure 4).

      (Figure 4)

      -

catches the ball, turns around immediately, and shoots at the goal (not in the figure).

      - Afterwards, the players repeat the course on the other side.

may take a short break;

places the screen next to