- If the defender decides ‘to press you’ when you get level with the ball you will be in a great position to make a wall pass and play your teammate in behind.
- If your defender goes with you, run around your team mate who has the ball, so he/she can pass to you on the other side assuming he/she is not on the touch-line (normally used in front 4 combinations)
- When you are dropping and the ball has been played in you are in better position to block your defender with your body if he/she tries to win the ball
- If you do not come back level with the ball and the ball can be ‘helped on’, can you affect the second defender winning the second ball
- If you are dropping to the line of the ball and you can see the ball and the defender you do not need to keep dropping if you are in a good position to receive the ball
Why is this important
- When you are level and either side of your opponent but there may not be space to run into or the player in possession cannot pass the ball into the space available it is important you drop to the line of the ball.
- By dropping it will be easier for you to see your defender as you will be half-turned or ‘on an angle’ to the ball
- It will allow you to receive the ball facing forwards if you ‘time’ your movement, i.e. before play is predictable due to pressure by the opposition. If you leave it (your run) until play is predictable you may not be able to receive the ball facing your opponent because your defender will be prepared to stay close to you.
- It is a very successful movement because you will challenge everything the defender has been taught about covering the 1st defender and cutting out forward passes