Shutdown Defence Basics Explained - Touch Football

GCTA General Manager Mark Tipple uses cones and basic demonstrations to explain ‘Shutdown Defence’.
Shutdown D is the basis of all representative/advanced defensive policies in Touch Football/Rugby. By understanding basic Shutdown D players and coaches are able to add to the policy and add finer detail to their defensive strategy.
This demonstration was presented at a recent Foundation Coaching Course held at Gold Coast Touch, Southport.

[@waynebambury4323]

A very good explanation. Men's Open 1995 Word Cup was when shut down defense got a clear example of how it should be implemented. Remus Gentles from NZ forced it. However, to suggest it was invented then is not correct. Short side defense was used from as early as 1991 by NSW based teams especially Wests ( Andy Y) and Souths (Dom S). The 1993 NSW Men's Open team led by Mark Egan as coach and Mark Boland as Captain implemented this strategy as a hard rule. It was repeated in 1994 even though Mark Egan didn't coach. NSW beat Qld in both series. 1995 World Cup Team adopted this strategy under the direction of absolute legends in Peter McNiven (Coach) QLD, Scott Notley (C) QLD and Mark Boland NSW. Sorry for the history lesson but I wanted to recognise the correct people.

[@barryoberholzer8851]

Thanks for sharing!

[@mauiahu6689]

So can you shepherd, tracking or track? Or do you have to go back in a straight line?

[@tipplemark]

Under the latest rules, the defender can retreat in any direction as long as they are not obstructing the attacking player. So you can shadow or track a scooper as long as you don't block their path essentially

[@warrust]

The rule change is more for the "got stepped and tries to chase halfway through the 7m". If you deliberately shadow too close it can still be called penalty for obstructing the half's run

[@touchstar68]

If I shared this with my team their heads would spin 🤣