Defending Principles

Which one is NOT a principle of defending?

• Press

• Deny

• Delay

• Crossing

Answer explanation

We deny by blocking shots and crosses

We delay by slowing down the other team's attack

We press a player quickly in the opponent's half

When we defend, we stand ​ (a)   to the ball. We do this to force the attacker ​ (b)   , away from the goal. We also ​ (c)   our knees like we're about to start a race -- ready, set, go position!

• side on
• front on
• wide
• inside
• bend
• striaghten

Organise these options into the right categories

Groups:

(a) In our own half

,

(b) In the opponent's half

• Mark player-to-player

• Deny by blocking

• Press quickly

• Delay by slowing down attack

• Block entry to our box

• Don't let them escape

When defending, which two behaviours should we show?

• Anger

• Patience

• Intelligence

• Craziness

Answer explanation

The best defenders are patient and intelligent. This means that they wait for the attacker to move, quickly blocking, and don't get tempted to dive in.

What do you think is wrong with the positioning of the yellow defending team?

• They are too wide

• Nothing - they look good

• They are too far back

Answer explanation

When we defend, we must recover and get tight by moving more into the middle of the pitch. We do this to block shots and stop entry into the box.

The white team has taken a goal kick. The yellows need to ​ (a)   . However, each player should ​ (b)   a different player, and not all just run at the ball! We do this to ​ (c)   the opponent from escaping their half.

• press
• stay back
• mark
• stop
• shoot

Answer explanation

We press players by getting tight to them, making it hard for them to attack and to get our ball back. If we all ran at the ball, it would leave big spaces for the other team to move and pass into, so we stay close to an opponent until we win the ball back.

If we do win the ball back in our own half, what should we then try our best to do?

• Take everyone on and run

• Look to get the ball back into their half

• Kick it out

• Smash the ball as hard as you can

Answer explanation

If we get the ball back in our half, the next step is to start our attack by getting the ball safely away from our box. We look up the pitch by scanning and then passing or running into space. If, however, we have lots of their players pressing us and we're by ourselves, then we might safely kick it out for a throw-in (kick-in) to give our players time to get back.