Centre Pass: Screen

Focus

Centre Pass Set Plays.

Skills

Preliminary Moves & Passing, Defensive Moves, Vision & Quick Decisions.

Purpose

From the centre pass, run set plays to take advantage of the strengths (e.g. speed/height) of certain players, and maximise space for them to use. Different set-ups can confuse opponents unfamiliar with the strategy. This particular strategy involves[WA/GA] deciding who will be primary target, the other setting a screen for them.

Difficulty

Medium

Players

10⁺

Balls

Cones

Opp. tops

50%

Visible opposition strip: 50%

Setup
Choose teams and setup as per the diagram.
Step 1
[C] starts 5 steps outside the circle with the ball, as if returning from a goal. [C] takes 5 steps into the centre with ball-in-hand.
Step 2
[WA/GA] huddle together as close to the centre as possible. As [C]walks in, they communicate who will screen with an inconspicuous signal or touch

e.g. screener may touch teammate's left leg, signalling them to lead left
Step 3
Once [C] is set and the whistle about to blow, the screener works into position to protect a path left or right (as previously decided)

Don't initiate the screen too soon, or opponents may step away and render it ineffective
Step 4
On the whistle, designated leader [WA/GA] bursts into the centre third, their path shielded by their counterpart's screen

Screener must impede both defenders from entering the space behind them
Step 5
Screener is the secondary target, so once primary target has set-off, they lead to the other side.
Step 6
[GD/WD] provide third option leads, but must not lead towards the primary target and crowd their space.