Defenders Script

  • Below is a list of things a defender will / might say during games.
  • If you are a developing defender and you are not talking constantly, then this a massive area of your game that your could improve.
  • This list is not conclusive, and the terms may not be universal, but the point remains the same :

As a defender, if you are not talking, you are not defending.

 

Defenders Script


If you are not talking, you are not defending !!!! You might think you are - but you're not.

Below are basic script-like statements defenders & defending players need to use constantly during a game. At the moment how often do any of you say any of these? There is an assumption you understand all these terms. If not, there is a lot of work to do.

  • HOLD THE LINE ! :

    • (Say this when organizing the defensive line. it should roughly be at the level of their highest player (#opposition 9) - within reason).

 

  • Line Up ! :

    • (Say this to players who are too low/high relative to the line - the line should not be diagonal, or zig zag. The far side defender can see all this (the whole game in fact) so should be talking the most).

 

  • GET READY !! YOU KNOW IT'S COMING.

    • (Say this to all players before an obvious big ball over the top).

 

  • TURN THE FEET. 

    • (Remind players to get ready for an obvious big ball over the top).

 

  • DROP DROP. DROP!!

    • (Make sure all players know the line is dropping : remember defending the space behind is more important than defending the space in front - the line should drop together).

 

  • UP. UP. UP. Let's go!!

    • Say this to all players when the ball is cleared or the big ball over the top didn't come so you need to get the line higher and tighter again.
    • Note : This is not e same as stepping up.

 

  • SHUFFLE OVER !!

    • (Say this to all players when a Full back has stepped up (off the line) to engage the opposition winger).

 

  • SHUFFLE UP !!

    • (Say this when a full back supports a channel ball [EG : kick off ] so move up as you shuffle).

 

  • SHUFFLE UNDER !!

    • (Say this when a Full back has stepped up off the line to engage the opposition winger, so you shuffle nut also drop a little to get under the full back and protect the channel).

 

  • GET TIGHT, WE'LL COVER....

    • (say this to a central defender stepping up to engage)...then need to get all players to shuffle/ tuck to get back a strong defensive line. If you need a midfielder to drop on to the defensive line to cover a defender who has stepped up into midfield, then organize it).

 

  • DROP AND SHUFFLE !!

    • (Say this when a channel ball takes the full back out of the game, and the defensive line has to adapt).

 

  • GET BACK !!

    • (say this to midfielders & wingers who need to cover in front and pick up players in front - so that defenders can hold a line - having players (midfielders and wingers) who can work in front of the defensive line makes a massive difference to the strength of the defensive line as it means defenders can stay together as a unit and defend the right spaces at the right time).

 

  • TUCK IN !!

    • (say this to far side wingers especially, but also to any player who under shuffles).

 

  • HOLD THE MIDDLE !!

    • (say this to midfielders and wingers who you want to be in the central channel (protecting the goal space).

 

  • DON'T OVER SHUFFLE - HOLD THE SHAPE !!

    • (say this to far side midfielders and defenders who over shuffle [that is get drawn to the ball in wide areas when it is not their job to be in the wide areas].

 

  • STAND UP !!

    • (means don't dive in. [say this to players engaged in a 1v1s - get them to DDD etc]).

 

  • BLOCK !!!

    • (say this to players who need to block in and around the goal scoring area).

 

 

  • ATTACK THE BALL !!

    • (say this as the ball comes into the box to remind players not to ball watch and to take responsibility).


If you are not talking, you are not defending !!!! You might think you are - but you're not.