| Soccer is a game about field position and possession | | | | about 1 meter between themselves and the |
| and being able to defend effectively is a key element | | | | attacker. This will give them enough reaction time to |
| for each of these factors. There are four key | | | | stay with the attacking player. Players must watch |
| elements that I have found to teaching young soccer | | | | the ball at all times. This will lessen the ability of an |
| players to defend effectively. Footwork is a key | | | | attacker to fake them into committing to a tackle at |
| factor in getting young soccer players to defend | | | | the wrong time. The ball is the critical element, not |
| effectively. Together with knowing when to commit | | | | the feet, hips or shoulders of the attacking players. |
| to a tackle and when to hold position I find these are | | | | Teach your defenders to watch the ball at all times. I |
| the two vitals elements to having a strong defence. | | | | also encourage players to stay on their feet when |
| These factors, I combine with knowing where the | | | | defending as much as possible. There is a time and |
| danger zones are on the field, and communicating | | | | place for a slide tackle, but a player that is off their |
| with each other in order to create an impenetrable | | | | feet cannot react as quickly as a player who is on |
| defence. I do not promote playing boring soccer with | | | | their feet. |
| lots of players behind the ball, but if you can defend | | | | Teach your players where the danger zones are on |
| effectively then your team will be able to play the | | | | the field. Defenders must position themselves on the |
| ball further up the field, thus creating more attacking | | | | field to push the attack towards the sidelines and |
| opportunities. | | | | away from the goal mouth. Teach them how to |
| Footwork is a key element in teaching young soccer | | | | position in front of an attacker to encourage the |
| players to defend effectively. There are two things | | | | attacker to move into a less attacking area of the |
| that I focus on with my young soccer players in | | | | field. |
| relation to their footwork. The first of these is to | | | | The key to any successful defence is communication. |
| never get caught with their feet square. They should | | | | In my junior teams I always find my defence much |
| always defend with one foot in front of the other, | | | | stronger where I have a strong communicator playing |
| and with one shoulder in front of the other. They | | | | in the sweeper or centre back role. Communication |
| must also never be caught flat footed. This means | | | | starts at training. Whenever you conduct drills at |
| that they should always be on their toes in a | | | | training ensure that you are not the one doing all the |
| defensive situation. This allows them to react much | | | | talking. Make sure that there is plenty of talk |
| more quickly to what the attacking player does in | | | | amongst your players. What they do on the training |
| front of them. It is also vital that they do not get | | | | paddock they will take onto the field. |
| caught with both feet off the ground at the same | | | | So the four keys to creating a strong defence are |
| time, as this makes it almost impossible for them to | | | | teaching your players correct footwork, making sure |
| change direction or react quickly. | | | | they understand when to commit to a challenge, |
| Players must learn when to commit to a tackle and | | | | helping them understand the danger areas on the |
| when to hold their position and wait for an | | | | field and how to keep attackers away from them, |
| opportunity. Players must only commit to a tackle | | | | and making sure they communicate with each other. |
| when the odds are in their favour of winning the ball. | | | | Your defensive drills should encourage development |
| This usually means that they are closer to the ball | | | | of these four key areas, in order that you will have a |
| than what the attacker is. Until this happens they | | | | strong defence. |
| should jockey for position and maintain a distance of | | | | |