Defensive Support

Ideally defenders don't lose their 1v1's. But since they do, teams must be able to deal with the problem that the attacker, who has just beaten his opponent, presents. "Defensive support is required for the player pressurizing the man with the ball. If the pressurizing player is beaten then it is the responsibility of the supporting player to exert pressure immediately." 9 This requires the supporting player to be at the correct distance and angle and to be there at the correct moment.

The diagram at right shows two examples of supporting at incorrect distances. In dia. 1 the supporting player, orange number 8, is too far from the pressurizing player, the number 9. If the blue player beats number 9 he'll have enough time to look up and then attack number 8, in effect the blue player is facing two 1v1's and not a 1v2. In dia. 2 the number 8 is too close to number 9, in effect both orange players are in the same space. Now the blue player can beat both defenders in the same moment.

 

In dia. 1 on the left the supporting player, orange 8 is at a good distance but at a poor angle. If the blue player beats the orange 9 on his left side then he also beats the supporting player. In dia. 2 the supporting player is in a much better position. Now, if the blue player passes the pressurizing player on the left the supporting player is in a good position to win the ball or at least contain and delay the attacker until the number 9 can get back to help. The angle of support will be dependent on whether the plan is to send the attackers down the flank or into the center of the field. Both philosophies have good and bad points. The important thing is that the team needs to understand what the agreement is and how they will implement it.

Whenever players are in doubt they should position themselves at a 45 degree angle, between four and six yards goalside of the pressurizing player, like in the diagram on the right. This keeps them closer to their own goal then the opponent and allows them to react no matter which way the attacker moves.

"The responsibility of the supporting player is to position himself at the correct distance and the correct angle and to pass on all necessary information to the pressurizing player. The supporting player must encourage the pressurizing player to move in close on his opponent. The supporting player should also indicate whether the opponent should be forced outside or inside.

It is important that teams should practice supporting as a team. They must, most of all, agree on the language. When a player gives the instruction 'force him outside,' it should be clearly understood where outside is. It is an amazing thing, but what is outside to one player is often inside to another. This is yet another example of the importance of teamwork, (communication)... Young players particularly should be given clearly to understand that the biggest fault in supporting is supporting from too far away from the pressurizing player." 9

Tracking Players Down

"Defending players who allow attackers to move into positions behind them make a great mistake. Defending players who do not see opponents move into positions behind them make an even greater mistake." 9

In dia. 1 left, the blue defender is not goal side of his opponent. In fact he is on the corner flag side. If the orange number 9 passes the ball into the space inside of the penalty area the orange attacker is likely to be first to the ball.

 

 

 

In dia. 2 right, the blue defender has moved into a goal side, ball side position. From here the blue defender can still watch his immediate opponent and will be first to any ball played into the penalty area.

"If players would watch for opponents making a forward run and then track them down immediately, in many cases they would deter their opponent within a few yards. Players moving forward are given great encouragement if they are left to run free of challenge. Players who are tracked in their run, and this applies particularly to rear players, quickly become nervous of the space left behind them." 9

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