Defense transition

The game we're analysing today is the first OkLiga semifinal between Barça and Reus, which ended in a 6-3 victory for Barça, giving them the upper hand in the series.

As a reminder, follow these steps:

1. Take a look at the video.
2. Read and think about the analysis.
3. Match the analysis and the video. It starts at 6:43.

Recovering the Ball

Barça regains possession and executes a textbook transition. The player with the ball takes the right lane, the second player occupies the middle lane, and the third covers the left lane.

Transition

This creates a 3-on-3 situation, but there’s a fourth defender nearby, close enough to influence the attackers. If we pause the video when Pau Bargallo (Barça Nº8) skates in, we can observe a few key details. Alabart (Barça Nº3) executes a “moving block” by getting close to the defender without making contact. Meanwhile, the defender on the left lane, in the weak-side position, is fixated on the ball in the middle lane.

Executing

As Alabart rolls in, Bargallo skates parallel to the penalty box in the middle lane, drawing the attention of all three defenders. Bargallo then passes to Joao Rodrigues (Barça Nº79) on the left lane, who executes a first-touch shot.