‹ Coaching Points
Defending
Pressing the ball and covering behind — 1st and 2nd defender.
Top 3
- 1.Close down fast, arrive under control
- 2.Angle your approach — make the attacker predictable
- 3.Be patient: don't stab, win it when it's winnable
Pressure — 1st defender: closing down
- Voice: call "Ball!"
- Speed: quick start, then short choppy steps in
- Angle: approach so the attacker becomes predictable
- Body position: send them the way you want, but stay ready to move any direction
- Distance: close enough to get their head down and make them uncomfortable
Pressure — footwork
- Last step in is first step back — retreat as they come forward
- Hips steer the feet, feet drive the body
- Shuffle step when they dribble under control
- Pivot / drop step when they cut back across you
- Crossover step when they accelerate — hips facing the same way to match their speed
Pressure — tackling
- Patience: don't stab at the ball
- Timing: go when you can win it
- Use your body to win the space around the ball — separate player from ball
- Front foot to poke it away
- Back foot if you have time and need leverage — stay low behind the ball
- Slide tackle only in an emergency, and preferably not in the penalty area
Cover — 2nd defender
- Distance: close enough to press if the 1st defender is beaten
- Distance: far enough that the dribbler can't beat you both at once (unless you double up)
- Angle: protect the goal and send attackers where you want them
- Angle: clog the passing and shooting lanes
- Voice: tell your teammate which way to push the attacker — based on the opponent, the area of the pitch, and the team plan
Cover — switching roles
- Ball passed square: press the ball, your teammate becomes the cover — quick, sharp V-shaped movement
- 1st defender beaten: press the ball and delay so they can recover behind you
Say it on the pitch
Ball!Make him predictableBe patient
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