Defending 101

This the basics of defending from a book I read called "Soccer defending"

1. Primary role: The main job of a defender is to keep the ball out of the net and away from your goal. So everything you do has to be based around that one objective. 

2. Reading players: defender has to read a player and see how he approaches the game, Observe the opponents game plan and also assess the situation and then act upon that. 

3. Body positioning and 1V1: the optimal stance is 10-4 and 8-2 stance respectively for each side. In a 1v1 you delay the opponent to let your teammates recover. You force them to take a shot with their weaker foot. 

4. Defending a 2v1: Delay the opponent as much as possible. Block the passing option to the teammate without the ball. Put all effort into stopping the player with the ball rather than the one without the ball. 

5. Defending a 1v2: A good defender will force the attacker into his teammate as it will make it a 1v2 rather than force them out which will result in a 1v1, making it easier for the attcker. 

6. Defending a 2v2: The first step is to slow them down. Then you bring both attacker close togtehr by blocking options that go outside towards the sideline. Focus on positioning based on which attacker has the ball, close your man when he has the ball and cover for your teammate when the other attacker has the ball. 

7. Reading the attacking players foot skills: Watch the small cues like shoulder movement and hips turning, arms going up and small drop of shoulders. Be ready to recover your stance and get ready to block another shot and force him somewhere. 

8.  Being physical and when to foul: Being physical is getting up close to the player with the ball and trying to dissposess him by try to body him of the ball using your arm and forearm, not your palm. Also getting close and not letting them turn. You can also use your body to block them off from the ball. Commit a tactical foul when the opponents are on a counter and it's pretty last minute. But make it subtle and small to avoid being sent off. 

9. Slide tackling: Slide tackling is a last resort. If you can do anything other than that try it first. Go in for a slide tackle when you see the player tacking a slightly heavier touch than the few touches before. Or go in when it's a 50-50 ball. Make sure you try and get the ball cleanly, if not possible at least make sure you got some part of the ball. 

10. How to shield the ball: Maintain low center of gravity by bending knees, this plants you better on the ground and makes it hard for the opponent to push you off easily. Get your body in between the ball and the opponent. Spread your arms to feel where the opponent is and use it to keep him away. Push the ball away and into space to avoid the constant pressure. 

11. Shot blocking and recovering after foot skills: Block the shots your keeper cant save, leave the angles he has covered to him. If you are beaten, recover and get between the player and the goal. 

12. Heading the ball: Arch back and retract your head, then apply full force with you forehead to get the ball out of the box. When clearing the ball, clear it towards any of the sidelines.

13. Defending against fast restarts: Closest person to the spot of the foul/corner stand over the ball and let your team come back, block the ball if they decide to start. The ref will tell them to restart if they kick it off you. Organize your team and get players in their proper positions. 

14. Defending against the clock:  Depending on the scorline and the time remainng, control the pace of the game by keeping the ball and taking theow ins, fouls and if necessary play quick football. 

15. Offside trap: The whole line steps up when a player is about to release a pass for a runner. This has to be timed to perfection or the whole  team risks being many yard behind the attacker who will then be through on goal for a 1v1 with the keeper.

16. Receiving pass from defender or goalkeeper: Open up body to face the opponents goal, receive form the correct foot. Stay wide enough to spread the attacking press. Scan and make a plan for what you want to do next. 

17. Defending tricks: 1: call out wrong time or say something like "shoot" or "behind you" to confuse the opponent in possesion of the ball. 2: Play the ball back to keeper for a reset when you cant build up. 3: Being nutmegged is okay but dont let the player get past you as well.

18. Defending homework: P: have some patience while defending your man. A: stay angled when standing off with someone. T: Make sure your standing on your toes the whole game. Angle your run to the player with the ball. Cover the options he has. 

That's it from the book