Defending - an invaluable art 

 

Defending, in my opinion, is something that is as important, but not a glorious, as attacking!

When you think of the best players of all time who really thinks of defenders?  

Everyone thinks of Pele, Maradonna, Messi and Ronaldo, all attacking players!!

Why does no one think of Bobby Moore Franco Baresi, Paulo Maldini and the likes?

It’s the same  with goalkeepers; who is to say that Peter Schmeichel was not as important to Manchester United, during their glory years, as Eric Cantona?

After all, how many games did he win them or earn a draw?

 

The simple facts of football is that stopping a goal, whatever way you do it  - whether clearing the ball off the line, or a straightforward save or a block- counts the same, ultimately, as a goal scored at the other end!

The big difference being that  you do not get the bragging rights after the game, in the bar!!

 

So, the crucial question - what makes great defending??

My simple belief is that great defending is usually based around great decision-making and that the game isn’t always played with pure “pace”, although that helps,  but with speed of thought.

 

The modern game seems to focus very much on what you do with the ball, but defending is often the decision between defending by tackling hard and winning the ball, or delaying and allowing your team mates to cover.

 

I see a lot of defenders currently who drop off, and I understand the reason for this, (namely to allow people to make mistakes when attacking because often attackers with too much time make bad decisions, but this is not really the case at the premiership level, on the “carpet like” pitches they play on, where the ball will not bobble out of control, however at local level this is very much the case)!

On grassroots pitches it's very difficult to control the ball, so defenders dropping off to allow attackers time to make decisions often works; however at some point the ball needs to be engaged.

 

For an attacker, the easiest way to beat a defender is to get into an “overload” situation,  so I always encourage my defenders to defend in threes

- one to press the ball (that's always the nearest player to the ball)

- one to cover the ball and the defender who has pressed the attacker 

- and a third player to cover every eventuality dropping a bit deeper 

 

Once they do this it is usually an effective form, and shape, of defending, however one other basic that I see a lot in today's game that needs addressing is the need to go and address/engage the ball.

I always encourage my nearest player to get on an imaginary line between the ball and the centre of their goal, and close the ball down, thus becoming my “first” defender, then try and force attackers to play away from your goal. 

 

The other thing that needs to be carefully addressed is the apparent need to mark players who are irrelevant to the attack (decoy players), defending teams should always close down the ball, and nearest attackers, and, as a defender don't “guess”, just work out what's happening, get yourself in a strong position and communicate with those around you (get them to help you)

Also remember most goals are scored in an around the penalty area so keep this area “protected”!

 

A key part of individual defending is to remember that a defender diving in “Hollywood style” (off their feet) is of no use to the team!!

Defenders have to be active, and in the game, blocking the route of the ball to their goal, that is their priority!!

Anything after that is a bonus and, in order to better be a defender, I would suggest that all players learn the art the basic defending “arts” 

·        like heading a ball (with distance)

·        like tackling (both the block tackle and slide tackle - but, in my opinion, the block tackle is more effective, because you are still on your feet) 

·        being prepared to communicate (it’s no surprise that the best defenders make the best captains as they are often the best communicators!)

 

In my experience in football, which is considerable, as a spectator and also as a manager/coach/player the best defenders have always been the best communicators.

In the more modern game, and for people that know me, I am a Chelsea fan and I usually hold up the case of John Terry who is constantly communicating with the rest of his defence, and looking back at little earlier,  I would also suggest that Tony Adams was a great example of a central defender

 

So, in summary, always, as a defender, remember your primary priority is to not concede a goal, and make your coaching priorities 

- the basics of attacking a ball 

- getting between the ball and the goal

- read the game and make sure you understand the dangers to your goal 

- and finally, but not least, communicate and organise 

 

If you can do all of the things you can be a great defender and a massively valuable asset to your team mates