Stopping the big man with the auld triangle

Over the last two weeks, we examined how players like Kieran Donaghy use the basketball drop-step to good effect under the high ball. This week, we will look at how a defender can best curb this threat.

Again we talked to an Irish basketball international who is a big Gaelic football fan. He believes the "triangle" approach can restrict the likes of Donaghy under a high pass.

"The ironic thing is, when you are marking the most dangerous forward in the country, you don't mark him that tightly at all ? at least when the ball is coming in high.

The natural instinct for a full-back is to get in close to his man and try to contest or break ball. However, if you get too close to Donaghy, you run the risk of him catching cleanly and rolling you with a drop-step ? leaving you with no way back as he heads for goal.

One alternative approach might be to stand off a little, playing the forward from the front and from the side. You try to create a triangle between you, the forward and the ball ? making sure that the angle you create allows you to keep your eye on both the ball and your man. With Donaghy, he is likely to pull wide to the right when the ball is on the left and vice versa, so you will stay between him and the ball.

I would say your first priority is keeping an eye on the man, using your peripheral vision to track the source and trajectory of the incoming pass. The closer your opponents are to goal, the easier this should be.

Now when the high ball does travel in the forward's direction, you should be in a good position to judge the flight of the ball.

When you do challenge for the dropping ball, you should time your run to arrive with momentum to contest the ball while your man is jumping from a static position. At the very least, you will be well placed to have what we call in my part of the world 'a clatter' at him. It might be the best you can do."

As Brian Lacey pointed out in his Coach column a few weeks ago, all the other defenders should stay goal side of their men while retreating towards goal until the attack has ended. If you missed this column, email us and we will forward it.

The Coach is compiled by Liam Horan. Questions to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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