1. “Cat” Defense
[How to use: click on “Slide Show” above. Next click on “From Beginning.” Finally use the "page up" and "page down" key on your keyboard.]

2. Backer Defense Pressure Defense—D dictates the tempo
Aggressive play with a team concept
Advantage—hard to simulate in practice; hard to prepare for
“Hybrid” defense: “man” on ball, “Cat” is the doubler on ball, 2 others play “next,” and the other 3 are playing zone

3. “Cat” position Need to have more than 1 player able to play “Cat”
Characteristics of the Cat:
High lax/sports IQ
Loud, communicative—communication must be direct
Tactical risk taker—doesn’t just sit on the 8m and double
Can’t hesitate—shooting space would be the call

4. How the “Cat” D works
“Man”: Aggressive “man” on ball—check, be aggressive, force her to our right (her left) and to goal, into the Cat.
Rule: Must force to our right (the ball’s left)—doesn’t matter whether she’s righty or lefty. Only exception—if the player’s wide.
“Cat”: Cat doubles when the ball’s 2 or 3 passes away. She must move when the ball’s in the air.
“Adjacents”: take away “next” (option #1). [May “bait” the throw=make it seem as if the player’s open.] (see slide)

5. Basics to “Cat” Defense
Ball, Backer, 2 Adjacents B B A A

6. What We Want to See A B A A B C A B B A B B A A

7. Zone Off Ball
Off ball: we have 4 players playing their 3 (on ball, Cat, and 2 adjacents), so off ball, we have 3 playing their 4. They are playing zone.
Rule: When you’re 2 or more away , you play zone technique.
Positioning: Be aware of shooting space (next slide)
Rotate the defense opposite the direction of the pass (see slide)

8. Zone in the “Cat” DefenseB A A B C A B B A
Zone-Shooting Space B B A A

9. Defending Cutters in the “Cat” DefenseB A A B C B A B A B B
When D goes with cutter, the rest rotate opposite A A

10. Defending Cutters in the “Cat” Defense (cont.)B A A B C B A B A B B A A

11. Vs. Skip Pass—“Cat” DefenseB A A B C B A B A B B A A

12. Ball Behind—“Cat” Defense
Ball, Backer, 2 Adjacents C B B A A