CONTROL SHOOTING PASSING DRIBBLING TURNING HEADING CREATE SPACE INDIVIDUAL DEFENDING SUPPORT PLAY GOALKEEPING CROSSING TACKLING THE THROW IN ATTACKING SET PLAYS DEFENDING SET PLAYS THE FREE KICK

DEFENDING SET PLAYS

Please select a subsection from the topics below :

A basic introduction   Corners Closing down space Forcing the play The corner kick Corners to the edge of the penalty area Corners to and beyond the far post Switching play in defence

DEFENDING THE CORNER KICK PLAYED BACK TO A SUPPORTING PLAYER

This often happens when teams aren't having success in aerial duels, and so they look to take a quick dead ball kick. The whole point being that: -

1. A2 can centre the ball changing the angle of attack.
2. A2 can hold the ball and try and get within a position to drive at goal.
3. A2 can move forward before playing a pass ball to A3 moving up for a shot at goal.

With attackers moving around - defenders must keep their discipline. To defend against this, as

Soon as A1 plays the ball back to A2 - defenders should be on their way out of the 6 yard area, clearing the space for the goalkeeper to see and hopefully control should a cross ball arrive in from A2.

THIS ENSURES ATTACKERS HAVE TO MOVE OUT AS WELL OR THEY WILL BE CAUGHT OFFSIDE.

D10 sets off immediately to challenge A2 - to try and stop the early cross into the penalty area. D10 should try to 'hold up' the pace of the attack.

D7 should move to check any move by A2 down the flank - or by A2 if he tries to move towards the penalty area.

D8 should be ready if A2 plays to A3 running up for a shot at goal - D8 must react to the situation, holding his ground if A2 goes down the flank.

Defenders 2-7 should clear the 6-yard area ensuring they mark attackers all the time. No attacker should be left free as A2 may simply knock the ball into the danger area first time.

If one of the defenders does manage to clear the ball out of the penalty area then all defenders should move out together.

ONE OF THE KEY ISSUES FOR DEFENDERS IS TO WORK AS A UNIT.

A2 has options but invariably he will try and catch the defenders moving out together. As a result the defenders must be alert to any eventuality - it is a disciplined reaction that is needed, stressing the importance of picking up any opponent in the penalty area.

THE GOALKEEPER IS A KEY PLAYER - HE HAS THE BEST VIEW OF ALL THE DEFENDERS (ESPECIALLY IF THE 6-YARD AREA IS CLEARED) SO HE SHOULD INSTRUCT, (BY SHOUTING), TO HIS TEAM-MATES WHERE THE DANGER POINT IS - AND WHEN TO CLEAR THE AREA.