The principles of defending are applicable right across the pitch, but in front of our team’s own goal they must be employed in an even sharper manner. Practicing within small-sided games is the ideal way to introduce our players to the different situations of 1v1, 2v1, 2v2, 3v2 and 3v3 and the best tactics to deal with them.
1v1 In Front Of Goal
This is the 1st post in a 5-part series on Defending the Goal.
Technical Point – Block The Direct Route To Goal
The first priority of any defender faced with an attacker bearing down on goal is to block the direct route. This is the line between the ball and the goal, or the path that a shot would take. In the diagram above this is indicated by the yellow letter ‘A’.
Therefore the defender must move across onto this path before moving forwards, closing down with an arced run. If the defender runs directly at the attacker then he is vulnerable because the attacker can burst beyond him with a change of pace.
Technical Point – Close Then Hold
Having blocked the path to goal the defender must get close enough to win the ball if the opportunity arises. He should pressure along the line (A), moving forwards as quickly as possible until he is about 2m (3 yards) away. At this point the defender needs to slow down as ‘diving in’ gives the attacker the opportunity to move the ball quickly away and beyond the onrushing defender.
Now the defender should hold – standing on toes, keeping both knees bent and with their weight neutral and watching only the ball. As long as the attacker has the ball under control, the defender should hold this position, moving with the attacker to keep blocking any shot. If the attacker lets the ball loose then the defender is in a position to poke it away.
Defenders can also force the attacker’s error by faking to tackle and then anticipating the attacker’s reactionary touch.
Technical Point – Show Away From Goal
In the hold position 2m away, the defender can influence the attacker’s movement by ’showing’ them one way and ‘blocking’ the other. The defender should try to push the attacker away from goal by showing them the outside.
This means standing slightly inside of the attacker and turning, so that the attacker can more easily run across the front of the defender but is put off coming inside because the defender is blocking this route.
By showing the attacker one-way, the defender can control and predict where the attacker will move to. This allows them to diffuse the danger and gives them a better chance to win the ball.
Posted on July 1st, 2009
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