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.
Defending fundamentals : Get your individual defending right first
- Individual Defending : (Click on this link for full details)
- Apply good individual defending technique DDDDBWK, especially in and around the box.
- How do you know when to tackle, and when to be patient?
- Apply the 100% rule.
- This means only tackle when you are 100% sure you can win the ball
- It doesn't mean you will win it, it just means you are sure you will.
- Don't be afraid to slide to get an extra stretch if this gets you to 100%.
- if you have doubt then be patient.
- Apply the 100% rule.
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Keep feet close to contact point (with the ground)
- Never jump to block a shot, cross etc. always keep the next step close. [ feet on floor ]
- keep feet on floor as much as possible to be able to react quickly (match defenders stride pattern)
- You can't react whilst in the air, in in the middle of a step.
- Communicate with and organize team-mates constantly :
- If you are quiet you can not be defending well.
- Constant communication by all players whilst defending is essential.
- Drop early for balls over the top (in open play, opposition kick off, opposition free kicks from low positions) : To get a head start
- Just before a through ball is hit drop off to get an advantage over the attacker.
- Be ready : Recognize the signs : Turn the feet : Drop early.
- don't play offside trap unless everyone is on board and is ridiculously clever.
- if a defender steps up - the other defends adjust, shuffle and cover
- Can you let it roll or do you need to touch it?
- See notes below for more details.
- Defending a 2v1
- The player off the ball is often the most dangerous player
- So, don't commit to the ball and leave the 2nd attacker free.
- You have to defend both players at the same time, and make sure either player cant get in to a good attacking position with the ball.
- Defenders should not let the ball bounce when it is possible to get to the ball before it does :
- 1 defender should always attacks the ball before it bounces
- The other defenders (the unit) drop, shuffle & tuck in to cover the space left by the defender you stepped up to the ball.
- Don't let forwards turn and face forward.
- If a forward drops onto the 10 line, then the marking defender gets tight if they receive the ball so that they cant face forward easily.
- The Other defenders drop, shuffle and tuck in.
All of these are looked at in more detail later in this resource.
Defending fundamentals : Defending in a unit
- 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.
- If a defender steps up (attacks a bouncing ball, stops an attacker facing forward etc) :
- The others defenders 'drop, shuffle / tuck' in to cover the space left by the defender who stepped up.
Shape in certain moments :
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- '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.
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ATTACK THE BALL !!