Rollover Defenses what they mean
Defenses:
Reading a defense and knowing what shots should be available ahead of time.
Does the goalie use a standard defense where the 2 rod is on the push side?
• Is the straight open?
o Yes, take the straight
o No, which hole is open?
• Can I go around the 2 rod?
o Yes, blast it
o No, can I shoot inside?
• Can I go around the goalie? IE: Does his goalie cover enough of the corner to prevent the ball from going around it?
o Yes, blast it
o No, Can I cut it back?
• Is he moving fast or slow?
o If fast, how far out are the men covering when they go to the posts?
o If slow, which man is moving the most? Can I shoot around or inside?
• Does he bring in Little Johnny?
o If he brings in Little Johnny can I shoot around him once he arrives? If not can I shoot inside his position when he arrives?
o Can I shoot at the hole the 2 rod just moved out of?
o Where does the goalie man go?
• Does he cross over his men?
o Can I read the movement coming together or the movement going away?
Going away would be a straight shot.
Coming together would be a corner of my choosing.
• How does he react to a still shot?
o Is this a race? Go with your best shot and beat him or trick him and go to the opposite side?
• How does he react to a rock?
o Is he trying to sync his movement up with my rock?
• How does he react to a tap push?
o Which man reacts to my movement?
Goalie man? Which hole did he leave me? (Remember for next time)
• Next time: Was it the same or different?
2 Rod? Which hole did he take away? (Remember for next time)
• Next time: Was it the same or different?
o When I tap push what holes are open?
If he reacts with the 2 rod can I continue to the push side or straight?
If he reacts with the goalie can I go back down the middle or around the pull side?
• How does he react to a tap pull?
o Which man reacts to my movement?
o When I tap pull what holes are open?
Which man reacts to my movement?
When I tap pull what holes are open?
• If he reacts with the goalie can I continue to the pull side or straight?
• If he reacts with the 2 rod can I go back down the middle or around the push side?
Does the goalie use a reverse standard defense? IE: 2 rod on the pull side but not deadman, Goalie on push side?
• Is the straight open?
o Yes, take the straight
o No, which hole is open?
• Can I go around the 2 rod?
o Yes, blast it
o No, can I shoot inside?
• Can I go around the goalie? IE: Does his goalie cover enough of the corner to prevent the ball from going around it?
o Yes, blast it
o No, can I cut it back?
• Is he moving fast or slow?
o If fast, how far out are the men covering when they go to the posts?
o If slow, which man is moving the most? Can I shoot around or inside?
• Does he bring in Little Johnny?
o If he brings in Little Johnny can I shoot around him once he arrives? If not can I shoot inside of his position when he arrives?
o Can I shoot at the hole the 2 rod just moved out of?
o Where does the goalie man go?
• Does he cross over his men?
o Can I read the movement coming together or the movement going away?
Going away would be a straight shot.
Coming together would be a corner of my choosing.
• How does he react to a still shot?
o Is this a race? Go with your best shot and beat him or trick him and go opposite?
• How does he react to a rock?
o Is he trying to sync his movement up with my rock?
• How does he react to a tap push?
o Which man reacts to my movement?
o When I tap push what holes are open?
If he reacts with the 2 rod can I continue to the pull side or straight?
If he reacts with the goalie can I go back down middle or around the push side?
• How does he react to a tap pull?
o Which man reacts to my movement?
o When I tap pull what holes are open?
Which man reacts to my movement?
When I tap pull what holes are open?
• If he reacts with the goalie can I continue to the push side or straight?
• If he reacts with the 2 rod can I go back down the middle or around the pull side?
Does he give me the post with the deadman 2 bar?
• Is straight open?
• Can I go around it?
• Can I shoot inside of it?
Follow the previous options for whatever side he is posting you on.
Tips:
When I practice my shot, I generally will do 5-10 pull sides, then 5-10 push sides both with a rock and without a rock. That way I can judge the lateral speed needed to get to the corner of the goal.
Then I will practice the short sides where I would shoot if someone was covering one corner and almost straight. I do this instead of taking the corner they aren’t fully covering. This will help me when I cannot effectively hit the corners without giving my shot away due to a possible tell in my take off.
Now I have effectively created 5 different shots without adding any tapping or moving the ball.
Finally, I practice my tap options. I work through all the steps above to determine which are going to be effective for me going into a specific event. That way I can keep the goalie from knowing what’s coming.
Reading Defenses is the most difficult thing to do in a stressful situation. Knowing ahead of time what your personal options are against them is what make execution simple. Follow these steps and I promise you that you will be able to execute under pressure.
