Defending: Team Defense

Pressure, Cover, and Balance

In team defense, the closest person to the ball is called 1^st Defender or Pressure Player, the nearest goalside teammate or who can make a easiest run to that position is called 2^nd Defender or Cover Player. All other players that come back to help are called Balance Players.

The major responsibilities for 1^st Defender are:

1. Slow the attacker down.

2. Limit attacker dribbling field (limit attacker scoring options)

3. Stay with attacker and use your body and leading foot to prevent any dangerous direct shot at goal

4. Position yourself between the near post and the ball.

5. Only tackle if attacker make a mistake or try to make a dangerous shot or cross pass in front of “Goal Zone”.

6. Follow instruction from the 2^nd Defender

The major responsibilities for 2^nd Defender are:

1. Make an assessment of the relative speed and skill of the attack and 1^st defender and decide how far he should position himself between 1^st defender and goal.

2. Position himself in a line from the far post to the ball. The 1^st defender should already cover short post. If attacker is in the center of the field, determine the attacker's favor foot and pull up to the side that can block a shoot by the favored foot.

3. If attacker is weak, 2^nd defender should consider double team rush to the attacker and tackle the ball away from attacker.

4. If there are additional supporting attackers, he need to instruct 1^st defender to position himself such that a pass to supporting attackers is difficult. Depends on the ball location, 2^nd defender should position himself half way between the two attackers. If the supporting attacker is coming into scoring range, in additional considering an offside trap, 2^nd defender must move closer to this potential receiver – even at the risk of abandoning 1^st defender.

5. Be patient, call your teammates for help.

The major responsibilities for Balance Defenders (All other players) are:

1. Rush to support and mark all forwards of attacking team.

2. Prevent the player whom they guarding from ever getting the ball.

3. Prevent the ball carrier from turning in the direction of his goal.

4. Prevent the ball carrier from passing to other attackers.

5. Prevent the ball carrier from shoot at goal.

6. Try to tackle the ball from attacker and initiate a counter attack.

Click Here for Examples.