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Defensive Soccer Tactics
defensive soccer tactics Okay, so you want to "D" the other team up. Your worst nightmare is the opponent scoring goals and running your team right off the pitch. You need good defensive soccer tactics to shut down the opponent. Every player needs to know the principles of team defense and how to execute each defensive play... Pressuring the ball There needs to be an increasingly higher amount of pressure put on the ball, especially as one nears his own goalline. Putting pressure on the ball does not imply trying to regain its possession. Simply having a defender in front of the ball carrier limits his options in many significant ways. When you are in your own defensive third, make sure to always stay between the enemy and your own goal. On the other hand, if you are out far enough from your own goal, you may try closing down your opponent's passing lanes. It is never recommended to face the ball carrier straight on. He must be pressured by positioning the body at an angle thus 'shepherding' him in a specific direction. Closing down passing lanes Defensive soccer tactics Defenders can limit the options of the enemy by closing down his passing lanes. This is done by approaching the ball carrier in a manner that blocks his (nearest) support. As the diagram shows, Attacker 1 is confronted from the right and therefore his passing lane to the second attacker has been closed. Attacker 1 can only (a) pass back or (b) move away from his support. Usually, you want to force your opponent to play the ball out to the sideline, unless you are close to his goal. In the latter case, it's better to make him pass in the middle, on top of his own box.
Marking If you're marking an enemy, you have to position yourself between him and your own goal. The closer the enemy is to the ball, the tighter you should mark him. Usually, the opponents closest to the ball must be picked up tightly. This creates a packed defense that is hard to penetrate directly. Double-teaming (doubling) attackers When two defenders are collectively pressuring an enemy, they must approach him so that he cannot go around them. Notice how one defender intentionally challenges Attacker 1 from the left so that his only option is to move right, directly into the second fullback. Forcing the attacker this way is somewhat tricky: the defenders should not be too far apart or he may dribble in between them.
Backup The player closest to the ball must always pressure it. Providing backup or cover for a pressuring teammate ensures that even if he gets beaten the enemy will not be able to advance his attack. The player pressuring the ball is called the first defender. The second defender is the one providing cover by positioning himself behind the "pressurer" and slightly drifting towards the middle. If the first defender gets beaten, he drops back and they reverse roles.
Quick Links for Soccer Tactics: Defense | Attack | Zonal Defense VS Man-to-Man | Positions | Formations | Soccer Styles of Play | Negative and Positive Space
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