Note : The terms below are not academic terms or universally recognized terms. They are simple catchy titles that attempt to create a simple picture of what is going on when they are used.

Individual Defending : DDDDBW

Runs through some basic rules that should be followed when a defender has to interact directly with an attacker on the ball.

DDDDBW stands for : Dont Dive in : Delay : Deny : Disturb : Block : Win the ball

Defending as a unit :

highlights some critical moments where a defense has to work as a unit.

Crunch & Contract : When you lose the ball, the closest players press : Everyone else tucks in and gets compact (sets up a block).

High #9 block , #9-#10 Block or a Flat mid block :

Set up a block and press hard once the ball is played into the trap. Each block has pro's and con's and each block achieves different objectives. A high #9 block encourages forward play (needed if you are chasing the game). A flat mid block, uses the least amount of energy but does give the opposition some options to play forward. A #9-#10 block cuts off almost all easy forward options, and forces more backward and sideways play, but it will be hard work for the #9 and #10. This is ideal when the game is won and you want to ensure the opposition find it hard to play forward.

Low Block (Park the bus) :

This is Classic Mourinho. This is all about giving up possession (in terms of stats) but instead is about protecting the goal scoring area (hot spot) so that it is really hard for the opposition to get clean strikes on goal, whilst also choosing when to have possession and what to do with it when you get it. Teams would need to be very good on the counter attack, and have a really dominant CF, to win a game like this, if this was the only block used. Most teams would use a low block, when the all other blocks have failed.

Trap : Drop & Block :

A trap can be wide (on the Opposition FB), or central (on the O#6) or in fact be on any pass into the midfield space (inside the block). You will need to use a block to set up a trap. (That is, it is necessary to force the opposition to play a predictable pass that the pressing team uses as a trigger to press). If the trap fails, then everyone drops, and creates a lower block and the process starts again. Hence 'Trap. Drop. Block'. If the trap works, then the object is to follow the rules of transition when you win the ball.

Full Squeeze :

A team and players need to recognize the moment when a 'full squeeze' is on. It might be on following a bad pass (slow, off target, bouncing, in the air for too long). Or if a defender / player has a bad first touch, their head is down, or their body is facing the wrong way etc, or if the ball is heading into a corner and the defenders can’t play out of trouble easily. A full squeeze is a very aggressive press and is about winning the ball very high and transitioning very quickly into a goal scoring mentality.

Defending Corners, free kicks and crosses :

These pages run through similar simple guidelines. In simple terms,  the defensive aim is always to fill the goal scoring hot spot with as many defenders as possible to ensuring that it is really hard for the opposition to firstly get to the ball first, but also to make sure getting a clean shot on goal very very difficult. It involves getting good starting positions, and then being able to attack the ball when necessary.

Shot block :

This is just about making sure that whenever an opposition players can potentially have a shot at goal, players defending inside the box are positioned so that any shot can be closed down. The opposition should find it really hard to find space inside the box and get a clean shot off. Defenders are always in the way,  always looking to attack the ball, always denying forwards time and space and always aim to block shots and clear the ball. If a forward does shoot, it only should always be a shot the keeper can save.

 

Remember this :

Defending is an intellectual exercise.

There more you study, follow and apply the simple defending guidelines above,

the more likely it is that you do not concede a goal unnecessarily.

 

 

 

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