Defending in Football Soccer
18th April 2011

There are a number of basic skills that a young footballer has to master and develop regardless of which position they prefer to play. They include controlling, passing, receiving the ball and tackling an opponent.

A defensive player needs to work on all the basic techniques to become not just a defender but an all-round player.  

The main principles of defending are about denying space to the attacking team by putting pressure on their players preventing attempts at goal. It is essential that the defending team gets its players behind the ball, outnumbering the offensive players. This is why forwards and midfield players need to get behind the ball when their team loses possession.  

Full backs in particular are there to hold up the opposition by jockeying their opponent, and by not lunging in, they give their team mates time to come in and make a tackle.  

Putting pressure on the ball is the initial aspect of defending, reducing the opposition's ability to form an attack by closing down the players with the ball. If the pressure is carried out in a coordinated way, the defending team has a much better chance of regaining possession, than if they had allowed an isolated defender to hold up play.  

Applying pressure is a team effort, not only closing down the ball but also denying space and options in which the ball can be played. Applying pressure also involves marking opposition players, cutting off an outlet for the attacker in possession. This forces the player into making a move which often results in a hurried technique and eventual loss of the ball.  

There are always three defenders in any defensive situation. The first defender is the player closest to the ball and is the initial player putting pressure on the opponent.  This player could be the most forward member of the team, and this depends on where the ball is on the field of play.  

The second defender is the player who is next closest to the ball and provides cover in case the first player is passed by the attacker. The second player can follow the play and react quickest when needed.  

The third defender covers the space behind defenders 1 & 2 and will mark opposition players or runners, denying an outlet for the ball holder.  

Moving from attack into defence when the ball is lost is called a transition phase. It is vital at this stage that the team having lost the ball adopts defensive positions immediately or risk losing a goal.  

It’s important to concentrate in these situations, especially on keeping the correct shape. Players out of position leave gaps for the attacking team to exploit, and it is essentials to keep a set formation to regroup in the right positions to pressure the ball effectively.  

There are only two basic defensive positions in a football team, Full Back and Centre Half, (Right & Left Back and Centre Back). The main role of these players is to protect or defend the goal. They do however have very different areas and ways to their defensive duties.  

Full back:
Full backs generally defend against opposing wide midfield players or strikers playing in wider positions on their side of the pitch. A full back’s job is to prevent crosses coming into the box from wide areas. In doing so the defender must resist the temptation to dive-in or lunge for the ball, and should jockey their opponent into the channel away from the goal. Essentially the full back should hold up play long enough to get support from a team mate.  

When the ball is out of their zone, on the other side of the pitch, the full back should tuck inside, closer to the ball, though still close enough to close a player down on their side.  

It is also important for the full back to take an active role in attacking play, supporting wide midfield players, offering an outlet, and also making overlapping runs. When in the opposition half the full back must also decide to cross the ball into the area for their own team mates to score from.  

Full backs also take most of the teams throw-ins and must be comfortable and ready to immediately receive the ball back.

Centre half:
The centre half position is one of the most important and effective on the field of play. From their vantage point the central defender has a good view of the developing play and should be in the best position to direct their team mates. Communication is essential for the whole team and none more so than the centre half.  

Centre half is a critical position which provides a shield in front of goal. Deciding to mark an opponent or the space can be a crucial factor in their success. A centre half must mark a striker closely, though not too close that they can be easily turned.   The centre back will provide an outlet to mid-field players who are being pressed by the opposition.  

Generally centre halves are good headers of the ball, intercepting high balls using their heads. Because of this they are often used in attacking set pieces in the opposition area.  

They also provide cover for full backs, who are either caught out of position or have been pressed by an attacker.  

A centre back must remain disciplined and keep their position, even when their team are attacking. If the centre half is out of position it could open up the field for the opposition.  

The unique position offers a centre half the option of attacking a defender, by intercepting a pass, challenging for the ball or holding back. In each case the defender needs to carefully assess the risk in making these choices.

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