Overload – 4v3 into 4v4 Variation 2

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Overload – 4v3 into 4v4 Variation 2

3v3 set up near the circle with 4th attacker starting with the ball 5m from a sideline of the pitch next to a 4th recovering defender. As soon as the attacker dribbles or passes, all 8 players are active but the 4th defender has to run and touch the sideline with their stick before they can join in providing a period of overload that last as long as it takes the recovering defender to get back into play.

Defenders win by making 3 successive passes, dribbling or passing to a team mate out of the circle or by getting over the central dotted line with the ball.

Key Coaching Points

Encourage the team in possession to work hard to get ahead of the ball after they pass.
Get the ball high as early as possible to increase the time the attack have with an overload.
Carry the ball hard to space to stretch the defence and try to make best use of the overload by creating 2v1 situations.
Flat passes to space away from the defenders to forehand of the receiver where possible.
Defensively, can they get pressure to the ball early to delay and disrupt the ball carrier, try to get their eyes down using the jab and shave so the attacker has to look down and can’t see passes and try to force them into the recovering defender’s space.

Progression to Challenge Groups

Create points system to make the exercise harder. For example, any defensive touch of the ball regardless of winning possession equates to a lost point to the attack or a point to the defensive team.
Give the attacking team a limited time or number of passes before they have to get the ball into circle or have taken a shot.
Set targets of how many times the ball should have got into the circle for the attacking team, for example, 5/10 reps and make the target progressively harder.
For a defensive team, how many times can they win the ball whilst they are overloaded or outside the 23m line.

Simplification for lower ability groups

Only allow interception on passes and no tackling outside of the circle (attackers only allowed 3 secs on the ball before having to pass or maximum amount of touches).
Make the distance for the recovering defender to run larger so there is longer with an overload.