1. Stay Aware of Time Violations on Defense
The official's timepiece is one of your allies when defending another wheelchair rugby player. Your defensive prowess can lead to turnovers due to backcourt violations, inbounding problems and a lack of activity by another player. Each team has 15 seconds to get the ball from the backcourt to the frontcourt before losing possession. Players also get 10 seconds to inbound the ball and make a move with the ball before officials blow their whistles. Your defensive philosophy should revolve around creating pressure to generate three to five time violations each game.
2. One-on-One Shadowing in Wheelchair Rugby
Every wheelchair rugby player must learn to shadow opposing players without the assistance of a teammate. Your first step in learning to shadow an offensive player is locating a point on his chest before making your initial move. Some players are able to fake out defenders with head motions and quick turns. You will succeed in stopping offensive rushes if you stay focused on this point and keep your wheels parallel to the opposing player's chair.
There are several obstacles on the wheelchair rugby court that will aid your shadowing efforts. The sidelines act as an artificial trap that limits the options of an opposing player. A cluster of offensive and defensive players near the key forces the ball handler to take chances in order to find a clearing. You can create turnovers, force time violations and limit scoring opportunities by staying focused on your opponent's chest.
3. Partner with Teammates to Trap Opponents
Your team should employ a trap scheme when your opponents are leading late in the game. This scheme involves pressuring the ball handler with two defensive players. Your team should develop defensive pairings before each game to match your best defenders against the opponent's fastest players. The best way to defend using the trap is by forcing an opposing player along the sidelines and keeping your arms held high to block passing lanes. Your remaining teammates should play zone defense close to the end line to avoid easy scores that might result from failed traps.
4. Take Some Chances to Create Offensive Opportunities
An aggressive approach to defense in wheelchair rugby can be a boon for fast players. Many teams employ zone schemes to cover large portions of the court, in order to challenge opponents who are accustomed to fast scoring opportunities. Your team should occasionally take chances in passing lanes to create turnovers and momentum.
Your efforts to intercept passes and bat away balls need to follow the rules of wheelchair rugby. Officials will penalize players who leave their seats at any point during the game. You cannot make contact with another player inside the boundaries of his chair unless you are trying to steal the ball. The best way to follow these rules and stop teams from passing down court is by playing the middle point between two opposing players. There is no chance of physical contact with this type of positioning and you can intercept your share of lazy passes during a game.
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