The bank shot to an in-experience goalie can sometimes be very intimidating. But, once one figures out and understands the bank shot, then defending against the bank shot is really quite simple. Traditionally, I've noticed that most 3-man bank shot are done close to either sides of the table. Some bank shots are attempted from the center of the table, but these have a lower scoring percentage.

Nonetheless, no matter where along the 3-man rod a bank shot is being attempted, the same basic simple defensive concept can be applied. Usually, when the shooter is attempting a bank shot, they will set the ball up in a back pin position close by the side wall. When this happens, you should be considering the possibility of a bank shot about to happen.

bank shot being attempted at the near side

Notice that in the previous illustration, the defense is set up in a basic defensive formation to defend the area directly in front of the goal. This is a normal thing to do against most other shot attempts. But, against a bank shot, this defensive positioning is not very affective. Again, if you'll notice in the illustration, the ball travels between the back man and the corner of the pocket when a bank shot is done correctly. Also notice that the wall area where the ball makes contact with the wall is clearly exposed, and the ball can bank off the wall unabated.

So, to keep this from happening, you shift the defensive formation to a more affective position when you suspect a bank shot is about to come. Over the years, I've come up with, what I consider, a more affective defensive position to defend against a bank shot. What I do is move one of the back man to cover the corner of the pocket, and then I move the front man to the wall where the ball will bank off the wall.

shifting the defense to a more affective position

In the preceding illustration, you will see that the back man has been shifted to cover the corner of the pocket. In addition, the feet position of the man is now pointing toward the pocket. By pointing the back man's feet towards the back wall, it will increase your chances of defending against the bank shot. Again, if you'll notice in the preceding illustration, not only has the front man been moved up against the wall, but his feet have been positioned in the forward position. I found that by doing this, it will also increase my chances of defending against the bank shot.

You can also do the same preceding maneuver with the feet of the man in a normal defensive position. This will work just as well. What is important is that your men are near the wall where the ball will be making contact at.

This defensive concept can basically be used to defend against a bank shot attempt at both sides of the table as well as, at the middle of the table or anywhere along the 3-man rod for that matter.

An important thing to remember when defending against a bank shot, is that other holes and possibilities for other shot become expose. So, the trick will be to recognize and know when a bank shot is being attempted. A good goalie will recognize when a bank shot is about to happen and will quickly position his or her men to the proper defensive position.

What I like to do when I see the shooter about to do a bank shot is to show the shooter that the shot is there by leaving the lane and hole open for a bank shot. Then, I try to time my defensive shift just before the shooter shoots. The logic behind this is to take away the scoring opportunity from the shooter. I'm attempting to take the ball away from the shooter by making him or her think that they have a shot against me. The more I can take the ball away from the shooter, the less chance he or she has at scoring against me.