Defending – Page 3

Soccer defending concepts for young players

Can you teach concepts to younger players?

When teaching defending to developing soccer players we should keep two things in mind. There is the “concept of defending” and the “skills of defending”. We will take a brief look at some of the concepts and thoughts.

While we don’t want to start teaching 9 year olds about the thirds of the field, it does help expose them to the theory that we act or behave differently in these areas. A simple explanation about the field being three parts is good enough for any age.

The defensive third has its own set of rules. We should follow the rules at all times.

Rule 1: We are not trying to win the ball; we are trying to protect the goal.

Defenders often get “beaten” because they STAB or reach in trying to win the ball from an attacker. Our goal should to be a nuisance that stays in the way of an attacker and never gives them a clear shot or passage to the goal. Keep space and leave room. This is known as jockeying. It is fine to be aggressive in their zone, but in ours we want to be safe.

Rule 2: Every pass we make is 100%.

We never make a pass that has ANY chance of being intercepted by the offense in the defense third. Often you will see a defender pass back to a keeper. Most of the time this is due to the fact he does not have a 100% options. Our passes need to be firm and TOTALLY away from any other player on the team. If no safe pass is present, clear the ball out into the middle or attacking zone.

Rule 3: Don’t try and do it yourself. Have you ever seen a great defender chasing a ball near his sidelines and he simply kicks the ball out of play? There is a reason for this. If he is all alone and knows that pressure is coming from the other team, he has no other SAFE option but to kick the ball out, stop the play and give his teammates time to come down and help.

If he were to stop and turn the ball there is a good chance he will have a created a 1 v1 and a good chance he will lose. If you feel all alone, clear the ball or stop the play. Help will arrive shortly.

Rule 4: Who is pressure and who is cover?

When a player attacks in our zone and we have 2 or more defenders, one player is the pressure player. That player puts close on pressure and becomes the nuisance.

The other player(s) stay back and wait for the pressure man to be beaten or the attacker to pass. Too often both defenders become pressure, which is an easy way to get beaten and leaves a straight line to the goal.

Rule 5: The sidelines are your friends.

Pressure can come from anywhere on the field except for one place, off the field. Unless you have a parent that decides to “jump in and play” you have eliminated an avenue of pressure by using the sidelines. You can always shield the ball and work it up the field. Getting caught in the middle of the field, battling it out is not what we want our defenders to do.

These are five simple rules that if shown through visual setups on a small field, will often stick with younger players for the rest of their lives.

The job of a defender

In 1989 I coached a U10G team, Hat Tricks 80. I made them a one page handout on individual defending tactics that read:

No get
No turn
No move
No shoot

This was easy enough to memorize and to teach as the basis for an individual marking-based defence that we used in the first year before moving on to team oriented defence.

Teaching “no get” is easy at U9/U10 in the context of little games that kids can play 1v1, they like to push and chase. The hardest part is giving the defender a natural feel when to hold and when to step in front of the opponent.

You could structure a defending practice session around the drills below. There are many other exercises for this in use, this is just one example.

1. Partners with ball and cone as server and defender. Server with ball 10 yards from cone, defender a few feet behind cone. Server with ball passes to cone, defender steps around cone to intercept pass.

2. Groups of three – server, static opponent, defender. Server passes to opponent, defender rounds defender to right then left to knock each pass away. Go about 30 seconds, change roles. Should be fairly intense.

3. Group of players outside a 10×10 grid with one cone and one defender in middle. Each player outside grid with one or two balls. Players outside take turns passing to cone. Defender in middle tries to win or deflect each ball. At first, players go in order and take their time. In second round, players pass to target cone at will, going as quickly as possible to keep defender busy.

4. Same as 2, replace target cone with target player who can move around in the middle of the grid. Defender works to deny possession.

5. Groups of 4 with two balls. Two players as servers, 10 to 15 yards apart. Two other players as attacker and defender. Attacker works from end to end to receive ball to feet, defender works to deny ball.

6. Game with target player/servers in 10×20 grid. Four target player/servers with balls serve from outside ends of grid, two target player/servers at each end of 10×20 grid. Two v two in middle, red v blue. In middle, two red players try to receive a ball from a server, turn, and play ball to target player at opposite end to score point. Blue players oppose and try to prevent possession. After point is scored or ball is lost, teams switch roles in middle.

Blue attacks to opposite end, trying to score by receiving pass, turning, and playing to target players. Players in middle can pass to each other and also dribble after receiving pass. Change ends into middle after a few minutes.

7. Play a game 4 v 4 to cone goals, coach the topic, stop and correct, stop and compliment.

Defensive posture

If you are teaching young soccer players how to defend, a good defensive body posture is a key element to good individual defending. Often times the players defensive stance determines the success or failure of a defender.

For the purpose of focusing on good soccer defensive body posture, let’s start by defining the role of the closest defensive player to the ball (1st Defender). In general, the 1st Defender must put immediate pressure on the ball carrier to slow the attack and turn the ball carrier away from danger areas on the pitch. This sounds easy; however, only players with good defensive posture and mobility will be successful at defending.

I have put together a series of soccer defending exercises that will help you teach young soccer players good soccer defensive body posture.

Exercise 1

Have players match up in groups of 2’s. The player’s objective is to slap their opponent’s knees. Each time the knee is slapped, the payer slapping gets a point. The first player to 10 wins and the coach should have the players switch partners after each game. The coach should make sure this exercise does not get out of control and should focus on the player’s body movements such as: their stance should be staggered with knees bent on the balls of their feet; chest leaning over toes, low center of gravity; ability to shuffle quickly; and reaction to the other players movements. The players can use their hands to deflect any knee slapping attempts.

Exercise 2

With the players still split up into groups of 2, instruct each group to get a football. With each player facing each other, instruct the player with the ball to be the attacker and the other player will be the defender. Instruct the defender to space themselves approximately 3 yards from the attacker. The attacker will slowly jog forward with the ball in a straight line. It is up to the defender to keep adequate space (approx. 3 yards) between themselves and the attacker. Have the players switch roles. Since they are moving backwards, they should position themselves low to the ground with their knees bent and slightly leaning forward over their toes. The defensive players should focus on their movement and should NOT attempt to win the ball from the attacker.

Exercise 3

This exercise is simply a slight variation of Exercise 2. This exercise is structured exactly as the previous exercise; however, instruct the attacker to slowly dribble the ball in a zigzag pattern. As the ball is taken from one side to the other, have the defensive player stagger their stance as to force the attacker in the opposite direction. In this exercise we will focus on the defenders lateral movement while jogging backwards. It will be important for the defender to have a low center of gravity for quick change of direction along with quick feet movements. Again the player should keep approximately 3 yards between themselves and the attacker.

Exercise 4

Play a game of 1v1. Set up a 15 X 15 yard grid and split the team into 4 groups with 1 group on each corner of the grid. Two groups next to each other (Group A and B) will have the supply of balls. The first player of group A will play a ball to the first player in group C who is on the diagonal corner. Player C becomes the attacker who attempts to attack the cone in which player A came from. Player A becomes the defender and attempts to deny player C from getting to his cone. Play is considered dead when the ball is out of the grid, or the defending player wins possession. Group B will then play to Group D and repeat. Watch for proper defending posture as they step up to pressure the attacker. Remind the defender to keep the attacker away from the goal and force them to take the long route by staying between the offensive player and the goal.

As I said earlier young players must be taught how to position their body low to the ground with knees bent while moving backwards. It’s difficult and awkward to some, but with time their ability to get low to the ground and move backwards with the advancing attacker will help them to stand up to any attacker and deny them space.

by Chris Johnson from Dallas, Texas U.S.A.

The principles of soccer defence

Basic principles of team defence in soccer:

Most of the defending team collapses into the space in front of opponent’s point of attack.

The 1st defender guides the ball carrier into thickest part of defence or away from the middle.

Covering defenders cut off “through” spaces.

Together, first and second defenders squeeze the attack into a tight, difficult space.

Principles of individual defence:

Delay Then Pressure

• Player nearest the ball is “the 1st Defender”:

• Get the ball carrier’s head down by putting him under close enough pressure to make him worry about controlling the ball and so he cannot look for passing options, but not close enough to be beaten;

The player(s) not nearest to the ball get into position to intercept all short or desired passing options; (they provide cover)

• Leave open most difficult and longest passing options as long as there is good pressure and cover on the ball carrier and his nearest passing options.

The first defender should not run straight at the ball carrier, but should come in at an angle that would force the ball carrier to pass back or to attack toward our covering defenders or toward a touchline. This makes the opponent’s attack predictable and easy to read by covering defenders.

When the attacker has been contained, but still maintains possession of the ball, the defender would do well to force the attacker to move to the side or even backwards. By forcing laterally, the supporting defenders can gain time to recover. Once recovered, the supporting defenders can enhance their positions as they have more time to adjust. An attacker that is allowed to go forward, causes the whole team to adjust their vertical defensive positions.

If the defender can force the attacker to go backwards, the defender must try to maintain close pressure to keep the attacker from opening up space.

The supporting defence should use this opportunity to push forward as well, compressing the attack away from it’s own goal. If the on ball pressure is not there, then the supporting defence would do well not to compress as the attacker will have time and space to find and take advantage of the defensive weak spots.

The 1st defender, in applying pressure to the attacking ball-handler, should:

Delay

• Staggered stance, alternating front and back foot, feet shoulder width apart, legs bent, body bent, on your toes (don’t get flat-footed).

• Feints and stabs but do not commit until ball-carrier makes a mistake.

• Concentrate on player, not the ball, look at ball carrier’s hips, not his feet or upper body.

• With peripheral vision, see the space between the ball and ball carrier. If the ball gets away from feet:

Deny

• Deny the shot;

• Deny penetration by denying “through” spaces which ball carrier desires to penetrate.

• Close distance between self and ball carrier. Get close enough to force ball carrier to alter course of attack and to force his head down to concentrate on not losing possession of the ball.

• Choose angle of approach to guide ball carrier away from dangerous space.

• Block any attempted shot.

Destroy

• Win possession by stepping between ball carrier and ball if ball gets away from his feet.

• Tackle also if the ball carrier allows ball to be between his own feet. Tackles should be fully committed through centre of ball carrier’s position.

• The 2nd defenders, (those next nearest to the ball), are those who are marking up to close passing options. They must cover the space behind their teammate who is pressuring the ball; and if numbers are up than extra defender might decide to risk double teaming the ball carrier to win the ball.

• The 3rd defender provides Balance – the 3rd and other defenders cover deep and attacking spaces which may be used by the opponent to switch their point of attack, for example, by playing to the opposite wing.

An introduction to defending

The extract below is from a manual that will help you understand team and individual principles of defence. It also provides a selection of simple drills and games to help you communicate the key concepts to your players.

download the complete manual

Introduction

What you will usually see with younger soccer players is everyone going for the ball at once.

As the players get a little older the more aggressive steal the ball consistently from the less aggressive, and the less skilled, simply by running straight at them.

This works at the younger levels but as the players develop and the skill differential decreases this type of play actually becomes a detriment. Overly aggressive players who try to simply run down their opponents and strip the ball at the travel level often times find themselves missing completely and watching the backs of their opponents as they head down field.

This is not to say that aggressiveness is not important, merely to say that controlled play, especially on defense, is what we want to teach them at a young age so that they carry it forward with them as they progress.

What we need to get across to our youngsters is that defense, like the entire game, is dependent upon their teammates, as well as themselves, to do their job.

Concepts of Defending

You will hear the terms First Defender, Second Defender and Third Defender used in this manual and in any any coaching course that you take. The First Defender is the person nearest the attacking ball carrier. The initial job of the first defender is not to steal the ball, but to delay the opponent until his teammates arrive to help.

The Second Defender is the second person to arrive at the scene. The job of the second defender is to provide cover for the first defender. That is to cover up any mistake that the first defender might make.

When the second defender arrives on the scene, the job of the first defender changes from delay to pressure.

The job of the Third Defender is to provide balance.

How to teach the slide tackle

What is a slide tackle?

The slide tackle is usually used when the attacker and defender are running in the same direction and the attacker’s threat is such that the defender must stop them immediately…
a word of warning!

Mis-timed or poorly executed tackles can result in free kicks (or penalties) against your team and….

lead to yellow or even red cards against your players and…
cause serious injury to an opponent or the player themselves.

What to tell your players about slide tackling

1. Watch the ball

When an attacker is running at you with the ball, it’s difficult not to concentrate on her body movements. Doing so, however, could cost you a tackle.

More than a few flashy forwards have tricked a defender out of her socks while only nominally touching the ball. Such situations, however, can be avoided by keeping your eyes on the ball. If someone is trying to dribble by you and she’s coming right at you, you’ve got to watch the ball. No matter where the attacker’s body moves — she can go right, she can go left — the ball always sits still.

2. Don’t tackle unless it’s necessary

The best place for a defender to be is on her feet, not on the ground, and so one should resist the temptation to leap at an opponent’s ankles every time the opportunity presents itself. It’s better to contain the forward and prevent her from penetrating. You should also try to work with your fellow defenders to close off the attack without direct confrontation.

If you are the last line of defence, it is particularly important to remain upright. If your slide-tackle fails, your opponent’s path to the goal will be clear.

Any time you dive in, there’s a chance of you getting beaten. Even if you do dive in and get the ball, it can always bounce or deflect off your opponent and get past you.

3. Wait for your opponent to separate from the football

As long as your opponent has the ball at her feet, he’s in control and a slide tackle could be suicidal. Wait for her to knock it ahead two or three feet before tackling.

If you tackle when it’s at her feet he can knock it away from you or dribble past you.

Timing is the crucial ingredient, both for safety and effectiveness. But the quality of the timing is elusive. If you don’t have the right timing, your opponent is going to run right past you.

Note: Developing timing requires constant practice, but it is not really something you can do in practice. Kids always want to practice slide-tackling, but be content with demonstrating the technique. The more they play, the better they’ll get at it.

4. Be decisive

Every time a good defender player tries to complete a tackle, he takes the attitude that he is going to get the ball. That’s the way you have to think.

Mentality is important, especially at the highest level where the difference between success and failure can be confidence. Players can’t hesitate, or they’ll be beaten.

When you decide to go down, you have to go down. You can’t think twice about it. If you go into a tackle halfway, you can get hurt. Decide 100 percent that you are going, and then go.

Knowing when to go requires instinct built through experience, and it requires the ability to read the game. All these come with match practice.

5. The angle of attack

Do not attempt to slide-tackle an opponent from behind or from the front. It’s dangerous and almost always results in the referee calling a foul or even a straight red card. The only way to safely slide tackle someone is at an angle.

Alternatively, while racing alongside an opponent, wait for her to separate from the ball. Then step into her path, between her and the ball. Step right into her line. Now you’ve got the ball, and you can shield it. Chances are, she’ll trip you or foul you because you’ve cut her off.

Protect Yourself

The first law of slide-tackling concerns safety. It begins with shinguards. Full guards may not be as comfortable as smaller models, but defenders don’t really have a choice. Nor do they have a choice once the decision to tackle has been made. Don’t take it easy! You must go all out.

The mechanics are important. Tacklers should keep their leg unlocked with a slight bend. Then when you get to the ball, extend your leg through it. Make sure you get the ball right on your shoelaces and swing your leg through it.

Get The Ball

If you don’t get the ball your goalkeeper will most likely be picking the ball out of the back of the net in a matter of moments. Make sure you get the ball.

Coach your players to:

Approach from the side and tackle across the path of the opponent – REMEMBER, THE TACKLE FROM BEHIND HAS BEEN OUTLAWED

Decide early whether to knock the ball out of play or ‘hook’ it to win possession
Be decisive and committed
Tackle using the leg furthest from the ball and keep it slightly bent
Tuck the leg nearest the ball underneath the backside and ideally slide on the outer thigh
Kick through the ball, or get the ball on the shoelaces (instep) and swing the leg around in a wide sweep to ‘hook’ or trap the ball with the foot
Meet the ball solidly and make contact with the centre to top half of the ball so it doesn’t roll over the foot
GET BACK UP as quickly as possible, whether the tackle has been successful or not

How to teach block tackling

In soccer, the term “tackling” is used to describe any effort to steal the soccer ball or knock it out. Thus, in soccer, a tackle can be on the ground (a slide tackle) or it also can be done upright, either by knocking the soccer ball out as you run along one side of the attacker or done from the front by blocking him from dribbling the soccer ball forward – a block tackle.

What to tell your children about block tackles

The non-kicking foot should be placed alongside the ball (approximately 10″ to the side). The ankle joint of the tackling foot must be firm and locked. The knees should be bent to lower the centre of gravity of the player. This will produce a compact and more powerful shape.

The head and upper body should be over the ball. The hands should be closed (make a fist). This will tighten the upper body.

Contact is made with the inside of the foot. Contact on the ball should be made through the horizontal mid-line and centre of the ball. Quality tackling is as much an attitude as it is technique. Players must develop an aggressive attitude towards winning the ball.

Unlike American football, a tackle really is not supposed to bring the opponent crashing to the turf. Indeed, in many cases, the tackle will be judged as a foul if you do so. As a result, your first job as a coach will be to explain the terminology to your players and make the point that the player is tackling the BALL ITSELF and not the opponent.

The Side Block Tackle

When a defender is beaten and is giving chase, the side block tackle is on of the most effect tackles that a defender can use. While a side block tackle and a sliding tackle can both be effective in dispossessing an attacker, I prefer my players to use the block tackle because it requires them to stay on their feet longer. If the side block doesn’t work, then slide the player.

The side block tackle can be broken down into four main stages:

1. The defender must give chase and run hard to get along side the attacker

2. Once along side the attacker, the defender should then turn into the attacker using the nearest foot to the attacker and leaning their body weight to the nearest shoulder to the attacker e.g. a good old shoulder barge.

3. The defender then crouches down adopting a low centre of gravity, pivots on the standing foot next to the attacker

4. Then with the tackling leg, hook the foot around the ball using the instep and complete the hook turn with force striking through the ball.

Quite often the ball will break free from this type of tackle. So its important to stress to your players that they should stay on their feet. At best the ball will break in their favour and they can then instigate a counter attack. At worst the attacker may initially lose control but the ball still breaks their way, in this instance if your player has stayed on their feet they can still give chase. If they are on the floor they can’t!

The defensive stance

The proper stance for a defending soccer player is shown below:

Coaching Points

Advise your children to:

Get low – you are harder to beat
Stay on the balls of your feet – ready to pounce if you get an opportunity to tackle
Hands at your side for good balance
Keep your eyes on the ball – not the attacker
One foot forward, the other back
Play “side –on” rather than head on. This channels the attacker where YOU want him to go not where SHE wants to go.
Maintain a “correct” distance from the attacker (usually about a yard). Too close and you will be beaten with no time to recover. Too far and you’re not putting her under enough pressure and she may be able to pass the ball to a team-mate.