Soccer Defending
Learning to defend is typically much easier than learning to attack. This is because the defenders primary job is to simply dispossess the attacker. Even if the defender doesn’t gain possession of the ball, by dispossessing the attacker will allow the defenders support to close down the loose ball or cause the ball to go out of play. A key element in good defending is remembering the defenders primary role is to break down the attack. Attackers, on the flip side, typically have to be more creative to beat defenders. Simply pressuring the attacker properly will often cause the attacker to turn over possession.
Quick refers to the defender speed while closing down the attacker with the ball. Slow refers to the defenders ability to change of speed and direction required to start moving in the same direction of the attacker. Sideways refers to the body positioning often used when defending. If the defender was to face forward, the attacker could then go around or between the defender’s legs. If the defender turns perpendicular to the attacker, the attacker could easily attack the backside of the defender and have the advantage. However, if the defender positions their body in a 45 degree angle, they will have covered the largest area of space while giving the defender an advantage to channel the attacker.
Tight pressure causes the attacker to look down, where lose pressure allows the attacker to lift their head and have a better vision of defenders, space and possibilities.
This simply means to encourage the attacker to go a certain direction dictated by the defender. Typically channeling is done by bending the run on approaching the attacker to encourage attacker to move the ball away from the defender.
Move the attacker away from the goal
Move the attacker towards the sideline
Move the attacker to play to weak foot
Move the attacker into a teammate (supporting defender)
Move the attacker away from their support
Learning to defend is typically much easier than learning to attack. This is because the defenders primary job is to simply dispossess the attacker. Even if the defender doesn’t gain possession of the ball, by dispossessing the attacker will allow the defenders support to close down the loose ball or cause the ball to go out of play. A key element in good defending is remembering the defenders primary role is to break down the attack. Attackers, on the flip side, typically have to be more creative to beat defenders. Simply pressuring the attacker properly will often cause the attacker to turn over possession.
Quick refers to the defender speed while closing down the attacker with the ball. Slow refers to the defenders ability to change of speed and direction required to start moving in the same direction of the attacker. Sideways refers to the body positioning often used when defending. If the defender was to face forward, the attacker could then go around or between the defender’s legs. If the defender turns perpendicular to the attacker, the attacker could easily attack the backside of the defender and have the advantage. However, if the defender positions their body in a 45 degree angle, they will have covered the largest area of space while giving the defender an advantage to channel the attacker.
Tight pressure causes the attacker to look down, where lose pressure allows the attacker to lift their head and have a better vision of defenders, space and possibilities.
This simply means to encourage the attacker to go a certain direction dictated by the defender. Typically channeling is done by bending the run on approaching the attacker to encourage attacker to move the ball away from the defender.
Move the attacker away from the goal
Move the attacker towards the sideline
Move the attacker to play to weak foot
Move the attacker into a teammate (supporting defender)
Move the attacker away from their support
