The following basic defensive principles apply to soccer coaches at
any level. Read and follow both major principles well.
Team Defense
The
most important concept of team defense is to get behind the ball quickly,
the moment it is lost to the other team. Teach your players that they should
all attack when they have the ball, and all defend it when the opponent has
the ball. The quickest way to recover behind the ball is to simply run
straight back toward your own goal. The forwards will not need to recover
all the way behind the ball because they will be marking opposing defenders.
The other
major principle in team defense is to protect the defensive danger zone. The
defensive danger zone is the area in front of the goal. If this zone is
defended correctly, the goal will be under far less pressure. To do this
teach your players to keep the ball out of in front of the goal, don't cross
the ball in front of the goal, teach your defenders to clear the ball to the
outside. One the ball enters the danger zone clear it quickly. This is not
the place to dribble, teach your defenders to kick it hard and far. Don't
allow yourselves to be out numbered in the goal area, get behind the ball.
Team defense
also involves pressuring attackers in possession of the ball and covering
for defenders if they get beaten with a dribble. Opponents must never be
allowed a clear run on goal. The player with the ball is the most important
and should always be marked tightly. If there is one defender and two or
more attackers, the defender should always take the player with the ball.
Individual Defense
After
recovering behind the ball, the defenders should immediately mark-up or
track all unguarded attacking players. This is achieved by getting goal side
of the player they are marking, whether or not that player has the ball. If
the player does not have the ball, the defender should stay goal side and
follow the rule: "The closer the ball, the tighter the marking".
If the ball
is close the defender should stay an arm's length from the attacker. Any
closer and the defender can be turned easily. When the ball is on the other
side of the field the defender can drop 10-15 feet off of the attacker.
Stance and
foot positioning are important in sound defense. The weight is on the balls
of the feet, the center of gravity is low, and the eyes are firmly on the
ball. Feet should be positioned inside the attacker, blocking the path to
the defensive danger zone. This forces the attacker to dribble out and to
the sideline. |
