Loading...
Please Wait...

Sagging Defence

Focus
Defensive Systems.
Skills
Preliminary Moves & Passing, Footwork & Agility, Defensive Moves, Vision & Quick Decisions.
Purpose
Instead of pressuring the passer, a strategy is to drop back and fill a hole in front of the next likely receiver. This forces the attacking team to use second/third wider options. This can be used at a centre pass, free pass, or throw-in. Good teams can also use a rolling sag, which involves dropping back in general play as soon as its clear an intercept isn't possible.
difficulty
Difficulty
Advanced
group
Players
7+
ball
Balls
1
cone
Cones
0
opptop
group-arrow
icon-opptop2
Opp. tops
3
opptop
arrow
opptop
Visible opposition strip: 3
  • Setup

    Choose players as shown in diagram and assume starting position. Feeder [C] starts with the ball.
  • Step 1

    Opposition [WA] makes a straight lead from the goal third, to receive near the transverse line.
    [WD] starts just behind [WA] and runs behind them as they lead
  • Step 2

    First time around (as a point of reference), start with [WD] pressuring the passer once [WA] receives, rather than sagging. [WA] must try to find [GA] - defended by [GD] - with a pass.
    Stop and remark about the amount of space available for the [GA]
  • Step 3

    Reset and restart, however this time [WD] sags. The instant they realise they have no hope of intercepting [WA], they initiate their sagging defence by looking behind to see the likely next target - [GA] in this instance, and quickly run back to fill the likely space [GA] will lead into
    Need really fast feet to get back in time
    Cover the most dangerous, central space as a priority
  • Step 4

    Progression 1: Have more players on court, and start from the defensive third. All centre-court players practice sagging.
    Remember, intercepting is still an option - don't give up and sag at every pass!
  • Step 5

    Progression 2: Practice the sag from a throw-in and/or free pass situation.
    The sag from these situations often becomes similar to double defence, as players have time to drop back directly in front of the likely primary target.
More Drills
demo
play
video
Difficulty
skill level
Medium
Players
group
6+
Balls
ball
2+
Cones
cone
3
Skills
Preliminary Moves & Passing.
demo
play
video
Difficulty
skill level
Medium
Players
group
7+
Balls
ball
1
Cones
cone
6
Focus
Fitness Conditioning.
Skills
Preliminary Moves & Passing.
demo
play
video
Difficulty
skill level
Basic
Players
group
6+
Balls
ball
5
Cones
cone
5
Skills
Preliminary Moves & Passing, Goalie Preliminary Moves, Shooting.
play
video
Difficulty
skill level
Advanced
Players
group
10+
Balls
ball
1
Cones
cone
0
Focus
Defensive Systems.
Skills
Preliminary Moves & Passing, Defensive Moves, Vision & Quick Decisions.
play
video
Difficulty
skill level
Medium
Players
group
10+
Balls
ball
1
Cones
cone
0
Focus
Centre Pass Set Plays.
Skills
Preliminary Moves & Passing, Defensive Moves, Vision & Quick Decisions.
play
video
Difficulty
skill level
Advanced
Players
group
8+
Balls
ball
1
Cones
cone
0
Focus
Penalty/Free Pass Set Plays.
Skills
Preliminary Moves & Passing, Goalie Preliminary Moves, Vision & Quick Decisions.
play
video
Difficulty
skill level
Basic
Players
group
1+
Balls
ball
0
Cones
cone
0
Skills
Footwork & Agility, Basic Technique.
play
video
Difficulty
skill level
Medium
Players
group
8+
Balls
ball
1
Cones
cone
0
Focus
Defensive Systems.
Skills
Defensive Moves.
Drill Search
Focus Area
Technique





Categories








Skills in Action






Join Now to Access all our Netball Coaching Resources