Swing It vs the 6-0: The Gap Shows Up on Pass Five

Attack against a 6-0 defense where the ball must move side to side several times before a shot is allowed. Students learn to shift the defense with fast ball movement until a gap opens.

How to play

1. Two half courts: 6 defenders in a 6-0 plus a goalie against 6 attackers (3 min).
2. Ball movement without shooting: wing to wing in under 8 seconds (5 min).
3. Fifth-pass rule: from the fifth pass on, attack the gap and shoot (7 min).
4. Add the drive: the receiver attacks the space between two defenders to draw them and then passes (6 min).
5. Switch roles and count goals per possession (4 min).

Rules

• Defenders may not step more than two strides off the 6 m line.
• If the defense steals, they break to half court and return.
• Contact only from the front, no grabbing.
• Attackers don't step in the goal area.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: plays center back with a 1 m protected zone where they can't be guarded.
• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: each possession starts with a visual signal from the teacher.
• Less experienced students: play wing, where there is less contact.

Learning goals

• Move the ball quickly side to side.
• Draw a defender before passing.
• Spot gaps in a zone defense.

Equipment for a class of 25

• handballs: 4
• goals: 2
• pinnies: 14
• cones: 12

Teacher tip

Without a pass rule, students shoot on the first touch. With only one goal, play one court with two groups rotating every 3 minutes.

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