DEFENDING “A GOOD DEFENSE IS THE BEST BASIS FOR A GOOD ATTACK”

DEFENDING WHEN does defending commence? WHERE does defending commence? HOW does defending commence? WHAT is involved in defending?

WHEN? As soon as possession is lost - the ‘will’ to defend – MENTALLY - immediate decision making - change from attacking to defending attitude - prioritise, and change of roles and actions

WHERE? According to the location and circumstance of the loss of possession e.g, press, withdraw, recover. Where is the first aggressive defending line e.g, - as far forward as possible - halfway line - edge of middle ⅓ …………why?

HOW? Dependent on:- (a) Where ball is surrendered (b) Circumstances of possession lost eg, ball intercepted – WE RECOVER URGENTLY ball out of play – WE PRESSURE out numbered – WITHDRAW (c) Defend important areas – where are they? (d) Channel or deflect attacking play (e) Adherence to team strategy, team tactics

WHAT? Denial of-SPACE - where? - TIME - how? - CHOICE - how? - MOVEMENT -how? Protection of high priority areas Deflection of opponents attack into well defended or less important areas depending on circumstance Collection of players in vital areas

EFFECTIVE DEFENDING INVOLVES:- Allegiance to overall team defensive strategy Understanding of that policy Execution (individual/collective) of that policy Individual initiative Support for individual initiative Prioritising roles Change roles and functions Individual and collective defending skills

WHY GOALS ARE SCORED

IN THE ATTACKING THIRD OF THE FIELD Lack of pressure on player in possession of the ball Lack of cover for player ‘pressurising’ the opponent with the ball Failure to track runners from deep positions Being second to the ball in goalscoring positions Giving the ball away in the defending ⅓ of the field Ineffective defending from set-plays

A TEAM MUST BE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE IN DEFENDING IN THE FINAL 35 YDS OF THE PITCH In the goalscoring areas – where? Within 35 yds of goals. On the flanks

BASIC DEFENDING SKILLS-on-ball- defending Pressurising the ball. Intercepting passes and crosses. “Spoiling” Containing an opponent – facing the defender – back to the defender. Blocking passes, crosses, shots. Challenging for the ball Counter or consolidate the possession gained.

OFF BALL DEFENDING Marking Covering/Supporting Tracking Back-tracking Balancing/Adjusting

DEFENSIVE MENTAL PROCESS Reading the game Prioritising actions Scanning Positioning Communicating Defensive Awareness - individual actions eg, showing - group tactical activity

ATTRIBUTES OF THE MODERN DEFENDER? 1.? 2.? 3.? 4.? 5.? 6.? 7.?

ATTRIBUTES OF THE MODERN DEFENDER 1.Willingness to defend 2.Pressurise ball? 3.Mark opponents/stay with them 4.Tackle/challenge honestly 5.Interceptions and break 6.Spoil 7.Stop crosses? 8.Stop shots 9.Physically tough 10.Mentally concentrate “Never” – outrun - out fought - out tackled - out played