Topic 9: Transition Play and Advantage
Situations
This topic focuses on transition play and other game situations in which one
team gains a numerical advantage over the other. We will look at approaches
that players should use in various transition and advantage scenarios with
insights from both offensive and defensive perspectives. First, let's talk
about transition play. As you know, transition play occurs when possession of
the ball changes from one team to the other - often leading to a fast break.
We'll show you how to incorporate simulated fast-break situations into your
practices to allow players to learn how to make quick decisions on both the
offensive and defensive sides of the ball. We'll primarily be using a 4 v. 3
fast-break set-up because it gives players better visibility than a 6 v. 5
setup. We'll also look at the "triangle in a box" formation
- three cones positioned in a triangle within a larger four-sided box.
Finally, once players understand the fast-break concept, you can expand the
drill to half the field and add a "chasing defender".
Although, fast breaks certainly fall under the category of advantage
situations, they are not the only type we'll be discussing. Man-Up and
Man-Down scenarios occur most often after a player receives a penalty and is
sent off. In these cases, players must capitalize on this advantage out of a
set formation rather than in transition play. At the same time, the
outnumbered defense must figure out how to adjust in order to prevent the
offense from scoring. For teaching purposes we'll be using both 3 v. 3 and a
4 v. 3 set-ups to illustrate Man-Up and Man-Down situations. Enjoy!
Practice Plan
Warm-up lap with cradling
reinforcement
Stretch
Line Drills
(passing, scooping, dodging, ground balls, shooting)
Introduction of
fast breaks for offense and defense
4 v. 3 walk-through with cones
4 v. 3 Drill
(expand to half-field fast break with a chaser)
Introduce Man-Up
Offense
3 v. 3 Drill
Introduce Man-Down
Defense
4 v. 3 Drill
Man-Up/Man-Down
Scrimmage
Final
thoughts
