Soccer is a team sport, but within the game there are a lot of 1 versus 1 situations. In these situations there is no help, not for the offensive and not for the defensive player. In this article I’ll explain you what the priorities of your defensive players should be when they play a 1 versus 1 on the field. I think it’s very important to talk about these 3 priorities with your players, so they are aware what their options are. As a coach you can use these 3 priorities for your practice. You can practice the choices your players make in the field and analyse them by using these priorities. Because 1 versus 1 defending is the base for defending as a team, I think you should start practicing how to defend around the age of 7. If your players are older than this age you can still practice with these priorities and improve the defensive skills of your players.
Defensive priority 1: The opponent doesn’t receive the ball.
The first priority is to intercept the ball. Make sure the opponent doesn’t receive the ball. If your opponent doesn’t have the ball, he or she won’t be able to do something with it. They can’t pass it to an other player, can’t give a cross or take a shot. When you try to intercept the ball there is a big risk. If you don’t intercept it, you’ll be complete out of your position. This will make it a lot easier for the other player to dribble, pass, cross, take a shot or even score a goal. So I always tell my players that interception is the first option, but only if you are sure you will intercept. Of course this will go wrong a lot in the beginning, but when your players start to recognize the passes they can intercept, it’s a huge advantage for your team. I don’t mind if a youth player, especially a very young one, is making mistakes to learn. I love it and make them do it. It’s the best way to learn! (in my opinion)
Defensive priority 2: The opponent isn’t able to turn towards our goal.
The second option is not letting the opponent turn with his/her face toward our goal. Most of the times the opponent receives the ball the their back of should to our goal. By not letting them turn you take away the possibility they can take a shot or pass to someone else in front of our goal. This option should always be the one to choose if you can’t intercept the ball. To unable to opponent from turning towards our goal the defender has to defend very close and aggressive (without fouling of course). As soon as the opponent tries to make the turn the ball will be unguarded and our player should make his/her move to win the ball. It’s a good result if the opponent has to play the ball back.
Defensive priority 3: The opponent isn’t able to get the ball past the defender.
The last option a defender will have is pretty easy: Don’t let the ball pass you. It doesn’t matter if the opponent tries to pass it, cross it, take a shot or tries to pass the defender with the ball, the job is to not let it happen. To ensure this doesn’t happen the defender has to defend close and aggressive, but doesn’t try to steal the ball. When you try the steal the ball the chance of getting passed is the biggest. Just contain and wait for backup. By turning you body in the right way make the opponent go to the outside of the field, so he/she isn’t able to score a goal from that position.
As I already said in the first part of this article, I start practicing 1 versus 1 defence with these priorities at a pretty young age. What do you think about it? Is it a good idea to start practicing at a young age or do you think it’s better to wait a little longer and just focus on the ball skills only? Or maybe on something else? Please let me know by commenting, I appreciate your comments and shared thoughts.
