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CONTROL

TACKLING

Please select a subsection from the topics below :

A basic introduction

Progression

The Challenge

THE CHALLENGE

Following on, you should now appreciate that it is every bit as vital to judge when to tackle as is the challenge itself.

Spotting danger that is closing down the area between the goal and the attacker should be uppermost in the thought of any defenders.

KEY POINTS

Always be close enough to possibly intercept or be in a position to make a challenge, yet at the same time remember not to mark too tightly or the pass could be played behind you.

Be ready to make a challenge should the attacker receiving a pass fail to make perfect control with their first touch on the ball.

If the attacker shows perfect control the defender has to be patient, pressurising the attacker in the direction he wants him to go - once that is achieved then there could be a possibility of a challenge for the ball.

If that opportunity presents itself you just remember the basic skills and techniques of tackling, discussed in our earlier practices.

Once they have been achieved it is time to progress, here are some more demanding practices to test tackling and defensive skills in general.

Practice 1

(Area 10 to 15 metres Square)

3 players

server = S
attacker = A
defender = D

server (S) throws the ball over defender (D) to attacker (A)

A must control the ball quickly and try and score in the target area (goal)

S once he has served can become the goalkeeper

D's job is to challenge A and win the ball

D must prevent A getting a slot at the goal, so he has to judge when to make his move, and when to tackle.

A will clearly try to take the ball to his strongest side - D must be ready for this, and must try and help himself between the ball and the goal.

If he can't get in a tackle D must, at least, try to block A's shot at the goal.

Practice 2

Defending 4 x 4 (inside penalty - area)

1 goalkeeper, 3 outfield players on each side.

Full goalposts - AIM IS TO SCORE IN OPPONENTS GOAL

Area of field - inside the penalty area - throw in when the ball goes over the sideline

Goalkeepers can use their hands, and they throw (roll) the ball out when they have procession.

In such a tight area players will be looking to shoot whenever possible at the target area of full size goals looks inviting.

If A's have the ball, it is up to B's to close down quickly and tackle whenever possible. · If B's win the ball it is then up too them to counter attack quickly. A's then have to do the defending.

This practice sets up a number of issues

a) 1 against 1 situations - tackling technique becomes important
b) being aware of where the danger point is to any defence
c) defenders learning to close down quickly
d) balance in defence becomes important. So if B1 makes a challenge to A1, B2 should be ready to cover should A1 progress beyond B1.
e) Learning to counter attack as soon as the ball is worn
f) Goalkeepers should react to the defender in front of them and set up the play quickly when they have possession of the ball.

Practice 3

Defending in a small sided game (area 60 x 40)

Aim to score in opponent's goal

Start of play GK (A) throws out to his team mate eg A1

D1 will automatically close down on A1 so as not to allow him time and space to set up an attack.

D3 will stay close to A2, D4 and D5 will mark tight to A4 and A5 .

Coaching Points

Defenders should try and force opposition to the outside of the area - away from the centre and the goal.

Defenders should be ready to balance and above all ready to cover if a colleague is beaten.

Defenders (when possible) should try and challenge in the opponents half of the field - at least as far away from their own goal as possible.

Should A1 pass D1, then D3 would move across while D2 should move back quickly to cover A2. This type of cover will be continuous in this practice.

All defenders should try and condense the space for the attackers. They should move the opposition towards their strengths so as to deny the setting up of scoring chances.