Defending fundamentals : 101
A team , no matter how good they going forward, will lose games they shouldn't if they make basic defending mistakes.
The easiest way to get better results is to defend well.
Make sure you fully understand and can apply the following fundamental defending concepts.
- Shape on opposition corners :
- 'Christmas tree + ' : Very organized triangle using 8 or 9 players.
- Shape on opposition free kicks that can be hit into the box:
- Protect the key goal scoring area :
- Don't man mark if it means leaving this space undefended.
- Shape on opposition crosses that can be hit into the box :
- Triangle using 3 players minimum : Don't over shuffle.
- Attack opposition corners, free kicks and crosses :
- Shape is just the start...it is never enough.
- Don't ball watch. Don't stand still.
-
ATTACK THE BALL !!
- Communicate with and organize team-mates constantly :
- If you are quiet you can not be defending well.
- Constant communication by both the goalkeeper, defensive line and also the midfield cover.
- Every player needs to be on board and on the same page.
- Defending well is a collective effort.
- Fundamental notes about winning the ball in transition after losing the ball :
- See Notes below
- Fundamental rules about winning the ball back in open play :
- See Notes below.
- Drop early for balls over the top (in open play, opposition kick off, opposition free kicks from low positions) :
- Be ready : Recognize the signs : Turn the feet : Drop early.
- Can you let it roll or do you need to touch it?
- See notes below for more details.
- Defenders should not let the ball bounce when it is possible to get to the ball before it does :
- 1 defender attacks the ball, the others drop and shuffle / tuck in to cover the spaces.
- Don't let forwards turn and face forward.
- If a forward drops onto the 10 line, then that defender gets tight if they receive the ball : Other defenders drop and shuffle.
- Shuffle and tuck in :
- Always shuffle / tuck in to fill spaces so the defensive unit stays intact.
- Individual Defending :
- Apply good individual defending technique DDDDBW, especially in and around the box.