Coach Training A Structure to Coach By Part 2 - Defending Principals By Mike Edwards

Role of the First, Second and Third Defenders

The person applying immediate pressure on the ball

Objectives are to:

• Delay the attack until supporting defenders arrive
• Deny further penetration; stop forward movement of the ball
• make them pass or dribble backwards; make them face their own goal
• Make play predictable for defending team; channel the attacker so that their options are limited
• Make the attacker a ball watcher; put them under enough pressure so that their eyes must watch the ball
• Take the ball away by tackling.

Becoming a first defender - two important decisions:

Angle of challenge - when closing down player receiving the ball, choose an angle to:

• intercept the pass
• tackle
• make predictable

Speed of challenge - must not be too slow so that attacker has time to turn and face the defender. Must not be too fast so that the attacker can exploit this "overpressure" by playing the ball behind the defender first time, playing a quick 1-2, or playing a "dummy".

Supports the first defender

Important considerations:

• Angle of support - should be at an angle of approximately 45° to the first defender. This allows the second defender to support the first defender if they are beaten by the dribbling attacker plus be at a close enough distance to quickly close down the attacker that they are marking if that attacker receives a pass. This angle of support will vary depending on the position of the supporting attacker, which third of the field you are in, and relative skills of the attackers. 
• Distance of support - varies by which third of the field you are in, how the first defender has closed down the ball and
  whether the player with the ball is running or standing. It must be close enough to immediately close down the attacker if they beat the first defender.

• Tracks down attackers away form the area of the ball who are making runs toward the goal.
• Squeeze space toward center of the field
• Maintain compactness
• Deny through passes
• Makes field small when possible