Defending the push or drag shot
The push shot is when you drive the ball forward and push the players away from you at the same time causing the ball to travel forward at an angle. A pull-shot is the opposite
An attacker may be able to play a push or drag shot. The sequence below shows why defending as we did earlier will not work as the attacker will be able to push or drag the ball between the goalie and the defender.
how not to!
how not to!
how not to!
how not to !
To prevent this from happening you must cover half the goal as before, but now with the players at an angle (the goalie forward and the defender backward); this will prevent the attacker scoring between the goalie and the defender. You will need to bring the goalie and defender closer together (almost in line with each other). Doing this will mean you cannot cover as much of the goal as before but it will cover the side that is being attacked.
Remember, if the attack comes from the other side you need to move your defense over to cover it.
As you will see below the ball did not make it through and was deflected off the goalies right foot. Be quick to regain play by catching the loose ball because it's damned annoying when the attacker regains possession and keeps shooting.
defending the push/drag shot
defending the push/drag shot
defending the push/drag shot
defending the push/drag shot