Defending in the Middle 3rd
| Required Equipment | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| x Good Supply | x 2 sets | x Good Supply | x 1 |
| Area | Additional Equipment | ||
 |
X = 2/3 of Pitch Y = Full Width of Pitch |
 |
Poles (ideally) |
| View Session | |||
|
|
|||
| Key Factors | |||
|
Pressuring Player
Supporting Player
Covering Player
Collectively
|
|||
| Starting Position | |||
|
The centre midfielder passes a poor ball to the centre forward, which is received by the full back. The full back then passes it into the wide midfielder. |
|||
The full back is the closest player to the wide midfielder so they are the pressuring player. The defender has three responsibilities; stop the ball going forward, slow the attack down and show the attacker in 1 direction (stop, slow, show). As the ball travels, the full back should cover the space between them as quickly as possible and try to prevent the attacker turning. As they approach they should decelerate so that the attacker is unable to beat the approaching defender due to their momentum. Now the defender has stopped the attacker moving forwards they must hold them up and be patient, while showing (or more appropriately forcing) the attacker in the desired direction (in the animation the defender forces the attacker inside). In order to do this the defender should adopt a body position that is:
- Touch tight to the attacker
- Sideways on
- Knees bent
- On the front of their feet
- Eyes focused on the ball
This body shape should ensure the attacker can not go around the back of the defender but instead move into the area the defender wants them to. It is then possible for the defender to feint to tackle, to try and force the attacker to focus on the ball and not get their head up to asses the situation around them. Above all the defender must be patient and recognise that all the time they are slowing the attacker down their colleagues are adopting the appropriate defending positions.
The pressuring player may have a supporting player nearby. Although the arrival of a supporting player will be dependant on their recovery run and the positioning of the attacker they are marking. The positioning of the supporting player is also effected by where the pressuring defender is showing the attacker, however the general supporting position they should adopt is:
- Close enough to the pressuring defender so that it creates a 2 v 1 situation and not two 1 v 1 situations, approximately 2 metres (although distance will be affected by position of the attacker they are marking).
- At a 45° angle behind the pressuring defender and not square.
- Same body shape as the pressuring defender.
- An open body stance that allows them to see both the ball and their player.
If the pressuring defender is showing the attacker towards the touchline, then the touchline can act as the supporting defender. This means that the supporting defender can adopt a position infield.
The supporting defender must also communicate their decisions and actions to the pressuring defender so that they are fully aware and informed about what is happening and who is around them.
If the ball is played to the player they are marking then their role changes from being the supporting defender to being the pressuring defender. As the full back is the pressuring player the most realistic supporting player will be the closet centre midfielder.
In the middle 3rd there is still another centre midfielder. They will have to adopt the role of the covering defender. There main duties are to mark man and cover some space; essentially they provide the midfield with balance, so that there are no big areas of exploitable space. Once again their exact positioning is going to be effected by the attacker they are responsible for. However, there is not the requirement that they are within touching distance of the attacker but they must be close enough to close the attacker down if the ball is transferred to them. The positioning of their attacker may also mean they could adopt a position that is level to (or just slightly deeper than) the supporting defender, with an open body shape so that they can see their player and the ball. This position stops any passes being slid around the supporting player into the centre forwards. As with the supporting defender they should be clearly communicating and instructing their team mates, regarding their actions.
All other defenders on the pitch will be required to track players, mark players or cover space.
Once the ball is played to another player the defenders roles change. The closest player to the attacker in possession becomes the pressuring defender and the others adjust accordingly.
This is an example of one of the many soccer coaching sessions that are contained within the site. This coaching session is taken from the Phase of Play section. As almost the entire pitch is used complete units can be worked upon. While individual players are required to focus on their positional roles and responsibilities.
To return to the Sessions Section of the Tour please click here
As the actual coaching session is the most important element of a soccer coach's role it is crucial that they get it correct. They should ensure the information they provide is accurate and relevant to the players they are coaching. They should also ensure that they have a variety of soccer coaching sessions available to them within their arsenal, as this is the best way to develop players of all levels.
It is for all of these reasons that CoachesColleague is so relevant to coaches all over the world.
So join up today and unlock your access to hundreds of soccer coaching sessions.