Developing Defenders

Introduction

• Welcome

• Register and medical forms.

• Dave Jude

• Equipment for weekend.

• Communal and Informal.

• Lilleshall.
 Additional Information

• Fire arrangements – room doors for information.

• Noise levels ( TV, around the centre.)

• Public facilities.

• Valuables.
 Course Content

• Changing game.
• Implications for defending.
• Fundamental defending factors.
• Modern and future defending skills.
• Your ideal defender.
• Central - back play and players.
• Wide - back play and players.
• Practical work to develop defenders.

• Pre-course tasks !
TECHNICAL - TACTICAL

Recent changes in the game.

 1990 – 2009 (Game changes ! )

• More teams regularly keep possession more often.

• More teams keep possession with longer passing sequences.
• More passing and receiving situations are evident. 20% more
• More goals scored from prolonged, passing sequences. than 2002
• More passes are now played below head height.
• More runs with the ball are made.
• More goals are scored from central approaches.
Prozone
• More teams are regaining possession deeper and Counter Attacking quicker.
• Offsides now occur deeper.
• Tempo changes more marked.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT CHANGES:

a) Improved playing surfaces.
CB’s 85% + pass rates b) Ball speed increase.
c) Improved footwear.
From 50 + possessions ! d) Time keeping efficiency.
e) Larger squads and player
rotation.
 SHIFTS – SUMMARY
SPEED
1. Distances covered and covered at increased speed
have increased significantly.
2. The number of sprints & high intensity activities in a
game has increased significantly.
3. The speed & number of direction changes - agility
4. Speed of players covering the ground.
5. The speed of the ball travelling between players.
6. The speed of tactical decision-making.
7. The speed of reacting to events during the game.
8. The speed of technical implementation.
 SHIFTS - SUMMARY
TECHNICAL
• Technical excellence seen as the solution to the
game’s challenges especially when performed at
speed.
• Expanded technical range in more players. ( More can
do more with more applied ! )
• Personal ball retention skills are vastly improved.
• Wider range of assured and varied first touch skills at
speed and under pressure
• The ability to play 1 touch football accurately at pace
is essential.
• A variety of combination plays / interchanges now
more common.
• More craft ,deception and unexpected now displayed
in performance.
• ALL players / positions are expected to be technically
competent and assured – some outstandingly so.
 SHIFTS - SUMMARY
TACTICAL
1. Now a shorter passing “possession – based” game.
2. More teams playing expansively using width and length of the pitch.
3. Longer and more frequent passing sequences employing minimal touches
as a tactic.
4. Varied tempo football and modes – Counter Attack and building goals.
5. More tactical variations – eg. Wide forward, no: 10. “wrong footed wide
players.”
6. The ability to play accurately into, inside and through congested areas.
7. An increase in the central approach penetrations into the penalty box.
8. More variation in the entries into, and playing within the penalty area.
9. The “ holding “ MF player (s) / screen player as a vital tactical concept.
10. Defensive “blocks” are set up quickly with teams defending later
11. The changing roles and requirements of positions eg No: 9,FB’s, W’s etc
12. Increased variety of penetration tactics on the flanks.
13. The implementation of counter-attack as a tactical priority.
14. More consideration given to zonal defending at set plays.

SPAIN 2008 – ALL but one final pass made from the central 44 yd wide approach
 Spain

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2009

LOCATION of the FINAL PASS

FINAL PASS FOR THE GOAL - SPAIN

Defensive implications ?
 FUTURE FOOTBALL

WILL BE :

• FASTER.- ball speed between players, player movement,

decision making, technical implementation.
• UNORTHODOX.- un-expected, unusual skills will be necessary.
• VARIED.- game tempo, technique requirements, game styles
• INTELLIGENT.- individual, team-tactical decision making.
• DISGUISED.- deceit to beat the block and stubborn defenders.
• POSSESSION BASED.- ball retention, precision and incision with
possession.
• INVENTIVE.- more “solo” players and “mavericks” will flourish.
• UNIVERSALITY – will be paramount - all must play as necessary.
• INSTANCY – will be crucial. (NOW is the time.)
• ATHLETICISM. - Significantly enhanced.
FUTURE DEFENDING REQUIREMENTS ?
 Defending Implications.

• Longer defending phases – capability for prolonged defending.

• More defensive decisions and directional changes per game.
• More split second directional changes to make at high speed.
• Increased demand for mobility range in lower body especially.
• Increased demand for agility, acceleration, deceleration, explosion.
• Increased demand for lower limb and foot speed.
• Increased demand for rapid changes in stride cadence.
• Quicker defensive activity in response to unorthodoxy and speed.
• Excellence in defending alone in counter attack situations. (ie at
speed some 30-40 yds from goal.) moving backwards ,sideways etc
• Increased demand to defend against quick interplay near to goal.
• Defensive intelligence ( “knowing”) and ability to read and respond to
events will be paramount.
FUTURE DEFENDING REQUIREMENTS

Will be ----- ?
 Future Individual Defending Skills
Read the Game
• Defend the “feints” & directional changes.
• Defending & recovering when off-balance !
• 1 v 1 dominance. ( ALL skills) – pressing, interception, spoil etc
• Defending the “counter attack” (individually).
• Defend opponents combined movement and “inter-changes “.
• Fast “shifts” & turns in the “tight”.
• Increased foot and lower limb speed to match quicker player &
ball speed.
• Quicker acceleration / deceleration and speed !
• Quick changes of running cadence & directional changes.
• Body work under pressure
• Calculate ball speed, flight and spin quickly.
• All ball playing requirements ! READY the body
Anticipate and head !

Awareness ? “INSTANT” decision-making

FUNDAMENTAL DEFENDING SKILLS ?
BASIC ESSENTIALS

• Marking – how close / Why ? Make them change their minds !

• Tracking- from distance
• Closing down / pressing.
• “Jockeying” in 1 v 1.
• “Working” an opponent. Playing chess !
• Inviting a pass.
• Intercepting and spoiling passes.
• Challenging for the ball.
• Screening pass routes. No way through or past
• Recovery runs.
• Blocking
• Deception Limit the possibilities
and options
Take his / their
game away.
 Defending 1 v 1
Positioning Angle of approach
Speed of approach
Intent as approach
Close down the Deceleration
opponent Aware of other events

Travel as the ball travels

Pressure his control Space to jockey Push opponent where Be easy to

and nerve. back into. you want him to go. cover

ALERT STANCE

Eyes on the Feet & Patience Work the Sag &track if

ball balance opponent he gives and
goes.
Strike for the ball

Toe it away Block tackle Slide tackle

 DEFENDING 2 v 2

DEFENDER 1 DEFENDER 2

Close down and listen. Show in Cover and communicate

Show out
Correct distance
As for 1 v 1 defending Show nothing

Correct angle

Awareness
Win the ball Understanding Correct stance
Prioritising
of other events
Become DF 2 Press & / or cut out
if needed. return passes to DF 1
 UNDERSTANDING & INTELLIGENCE

• Role Understanding.
• Responsibilities - clarity.
• Principles of Play understood.
• Priorities calculated.
• Defending event in which I am now involved.
• Defensive situational priorities.
• Team tactical objectives.
• Opposition tactics etc.
• State of the game – score, time, momentum, etc
• Ascendancy – me or him ? (what to do about it ? ).
• Immediate opponents strengths, habits, preferences, dislikes.
• Own capabilities and deficiencies.
• How to still be effective against a superior opponent.
• The intentions of the ball holder !

AND ?
DO IT !
WHAT’S HAPPENING ?
DEFENDING ACTIVITY D
AWARENESS
E
Positioning Visual,auditory,kinaesthetic.
F
Press prevent & and predict. Positioning and location.
E
Intercept, spoil, challenging. Of team tactics.
N
Contain in 1v 1 Role & responsibility.
D
Delay in 1 v 2 Own capabilities – 80/20’s
I
Tracking Abilities and habits of team - mates
N
Marking Of events unfolding.
G
Screening & covering Accurate expectations (reading game)
Balancing Own state – mental,athletic.injury etc
Back-tracking State of the game
Passing on opponents.
Creative clearances & heading WHAT’S NEEDED ?
Possession excellence. Decisive
Safe trick. Vigilant
UNDERSTANDING
Still
Role and responsibilities.
Considered
self & others
WHAT’S POSSIBLE ? Courage
Principles of play
Safety and risk elements.
PRIORITISING State of the game
From game understanding DEFENSIVE –score, time,
From team tactics INTELLIGENCE strategic objectives etc
From events Opponents strengths, habits
From constant evaluation The power of etc
From own capabilities. understanding Solution to the problem !
From actions of others. &
reasoning !
PSYCHOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES ?
PSYCHOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES !
• Determination “ I was born to defend.”
• Stoicism
Hugo Montero
• Durability Uruguay
• Mental toughness
• Resilience
• Courage – mental and physical.
• Appetite for defending – a “love” for defending !
• Alertness
• Awareness
• Concentration “ You have to love not having the ball.”
• Belief
• Composure New Zealand All Blacks
YOUR IDEAL DEFENDER ?
 DEFENDERS WHO - - -

• Receive the ball and play in and from the defending third of the field.
• Run with the ball into MF and beyond with speed and control.
• Are able to combine play with MF players intelligently on entering the MF areas.
• Can deliver passes with either foot and any surface over a variety of distances
with deception and spin if necessary.
• Know how and are able to, release appropriate passes into players located in
MF areas.
• Are able to provide forward placed players with appropriate passes behind and
in front of the defence.

• Understand the priorities of defending and the concepts of defensive safety and
risk.
• Can read and predict the play and are then decisive when making decisions.
• Are able to defend in 1 v 1 situations from static and fluent circumstances e.g
Counter attacks.
• Understand the priorities in individual defending circumstances e.g
Intercept,spoil,mark,track,pass-on opponents-laterally and vertically etc
• Can defend with composure and accuracy.

• Have explosive speed over 5 – 15 yds.

• Have “pace” ,and explosiveness in their general movement.
• Have “spring” if not height when competing in aerial challenges.
• Are mentally “adaptable” in a variety of defending circumstances.
PRACTICE TO ACHIEVE THIS ?
 Regular Practice Content
“Knowing how to organise a
DEFENSIVE TACTICAL CONTENT position for a defence, but also how
• Pressing with four forwards in A1/2. to defend within it it.”
• Pressing with three forwards and a “shadow striker“
• Team pressing / compression of the play.
• Recovering, and defending from a deeper line-how deep.?
• Team defending in the defending half and defending third.
• Forward and midfield units defending together – early and later.
• Back line defending as a unit.
• Back and MF units – combined defending.
• “Sliding and squeezing” as a team.
• A “compact” defensive unit- “narrow and shallow.”
• Securing the space behind the back line.
• Protecting the space ahead of the back line. With the intention
• Back 8 defending ahead of, and in the DF 1/3rd. of Counter - Attacking
• The 35 yd: circle- “zero tolerance “ area !
• Defending the Counter Attack-immediate reaction to transition..
• Whole team 11 v 11 defending.
• Defending set plays in the DF 1/3rd.
• Read , anticipate, prioritise and act decisively. Phases and 11 v 11

And Games.
 Regular Practice Content

Defensive Technical Content.

Individual and unit
• Defending alone in a Counter Attack context. AWARENESS.
• Showing “infield,outside and nothing”.
• “Screening” opponents preferred pass options.
• Pressing and containing opponents. (from front and rear.)
• Interceptions, Spoiling, Challenging, Blocking- passes, crosses and
strikes.
• Marking and tracking opponents.
• “Shifting” and “turning” in “tight” defending situations.
• Heading from a variety of ball trajectories.
• One touch clearance , “directing “ skills -head,volley etc)
• Developing a range and craft when passing the ball.
• Bodywork – receiving and protecting the ball.

Individual, group, functional practice.

 The ART OF COACHING.

“The art of coaching is lost when coaches

fail to realise the depth to which the game
should and must be taught.”

Allen Wade
 Why ? (Prevent ,encourage ,discourage etc: )

Who ?

How ?
MARKING
For how long ?

Taking over marking duties.

Anticipation & readiness.

When to “set-off”

Intent of the press ?

PRESSING
“DUAL” job – screen as you press.

Approach “craft”, speed & direction changes.

Body stance,cadence change ,balance change etc

Distance and provoking unwanted activity from oppt:

Forcing or patient control of the event ?

CENTRAL BACKS
 Adult
Central
back
players
 PHYSIOLOGIC
AL LOAD
PHYSICAL PROFILE

Focus on the
5
yellow cb player
4 fb
cb
3 cmf
km wmf
fwd
2

0
sprint fast run jog walk
 PHYSICAL OUTPUT
• Players run between 5 and 8 miles + (8-10 + km)
• Exercise at a pace that represents 70-80% of
Endurance capacity.
• Walk, jog, sprint, cruise, jump, stretch, pass,
head, tackle, shoot----1100 changes in exercise
intensity, and changes of direction per game.
• Be in contact with ball for 2-3 minutes only.
• Turn some 400-450 times through 90 degrees or
more during the game.
 Central Backs - PREMIERSHIP

ATHLETIC OUTPUT

PREMIERSHIP - BEST AVERAGE

Distance Covered 11652 m 9797m
High Intensity Distance 624m
1308 m High Intensity - with ball 124m
376 m 441m
High Intensity - without ball 867 m 58m
High Intensity – ball out of play 331 m 86
No: High Intensity Activities 191 162m
Sprint Distance Covered 497 m 462m
High Speed Runs – Distance 854 m 23
No; of Sprints 71 72 secs
Recovery Time 30 secs
SPRINT – 21 km per hour.
HIGH SPEED RUNS – 18 – 21km per hour.
RUNNING – 14 – 18 km per hour
CENTRAL BACKS TECHNICAL PROFILE
 CENTRAL DEFENDERS
TECHNICAL PROFILE

PREMIERSHIP BEST AVERAGE

Total Passes 114 25

Successful Passes 113 20
Pass Success % 100 82
Passes forward 69 13
Passes received 105 21
Average no: touches 1.65
Headers 35 13
Tackles 11 3
Interceptions 48 22
Crosses 3 0
Shots 4 0
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CENTRAL BACKS ?
 CENTRAL BACKS - Role !

• Operate in and control central approaches to goal and opponents entering

those areas.

• Protect and control the space between the Gk and back line.

• Control, direct and organise defensively the wide backs and midfield players
to maintain the defensive structure of the team.

• Deflect, delay and disrupt central attacking approach play.

• Position, mark and be first to the ball in the goal-scoring areas to prevent
strikes at goal.

• Initiate and contribute to attacking play from the defensive and middle thirds
of the field.
 RESPONSIBILTIES

• Organise and direct fellow defenders within the team defending

structure.
• Track mark and “manage” forwards in central approach play and
goal-scoring areas within 30 yards of goal.
• Mark opponents or space to be first to the ball from crosses and
passes into the penalty box.
• Combine with fellow defenders in marking, tracking and passing
on attacking players.
• If possible, cover and support fellow central backs in 1 v 1 and 2
v 2 defensive situations.
• Position and receive passes from the goalkeeper and other
players usually in the defending and midfield areas of the field.
• Retain and progress possession creatively usually in the
defending and middle third of the field.
 From the horse’s mouth !

Shoulders half-turned
1 v 1 – be low ,light and alert.
Be a spoiler !
Get him turned –keep him turned.
Treat it like a game of chess.
Follow in shots on your goal.
Always a swivel head.
Believe in your shape
Control your unit.
& communicate to keep it.
Defend the “may-be’s.

Two professional central defenders.

1000 league games in all divisions !

International football

European football.
DEFENDING AND ATTACKING SKILLS REQUIRED ?
 CENTRAL BACKS - Skills
required
DEFENSIVE SKILLS
• Reading, understanding and anticipating the development of play.
• Positioning accurately.
• Capability to accept changes of responsibility and act accordingly.
• Accurate marking and tracking skills.
• Ability to intercept passes and crosses.
• Ability to screen passing options and block passes and crosses.
• Ability to “spoil” opponents possession and to contain when they are in possession.
• Ability to press and “show” opponents in various directions as required.
• Ability to defend alone on counter-attacks or in static circumstances.
• Ability to challenge for the ball and win possession.
• Ability and courage to block shots at goal
• Ability to support, and cover fellow defenders and spaces as required.
• Heading ability.
• 1 touch intercept and “directing the ball” skills with feet, head and body.

Never taken by surprise – awareness and use of all senses !

 CENTRAL BACKS – skills
required.
ATTACKING SKILLS

• Ability to support others accurately.

• Reliable, assured and varied first touch.
• Ability to accurately pass the ball over a variety of distances.
• Ability to travel with the ball at varying speeds.
• Ability to perform a “safe trick” when necessary.
• Ability to disguise intent when receiving and releasing the
ball.
• Ability to participate in combination play.
• Ability to protect the ball if under pressure.
 Central Backs –Technical
Practice
• Receiving & Carrying the ball if appropriate and safe.
• Ground and aerial passes off the run.
• Medium and Long Range Passing. (Ground and aerial passes.)
• Long driven, diagonal passes. (50 – 60 yds little backlift.)
• Changing the play “passes” if necessary especially diagonal play changes.
• Measured passes to and for front players- 40 yds +.(aerial, ground.)
• “Fast” and “hidden” ground passes. (15 – 30 yds. – through MF especially )
• Receiving the ball –ground / aerial , under pressure.
• All heading skills- straight, across field, diagonals, “drop-off heading”
etc
• Marking,tracking and back-tracking skills.
• Interception ,spoiling and tackling skills.
• Blocking shots and crosses.
• Defending “dummies.”
• Defending against Counter attacking players. (Alone ! and in pairs and
units.)
WIDE BACKS
Adult
wide
back
MODERN FULL BACK CONTACT SCATTERGRAPH
 PHYSIOLOGICAL LOAD
DISTANCES COVERED

14

12
12.3
10 wfb
8 cb
11.1 10.2 11.2 10.5 cmf
6
wmf
Focus
4 On fwd
This
2
WFB
0
 PHYSIOLOGICAL
LOAD
PHYSICAL PROFILE

Focus on the blue

5
wfb player
4 wfb
cb
3 cmf
wmf
km fwd
2

0
sprint fast run jog walk
 Wide Backs - PREMIERSHIP

ATHLETIC OUTPUT

PREMIERSHIP BEST AVERAGE

Distance covered 12576 m 10586m

988m
High Intensity Distance covered 2166m 412m
High Intensity – with ball 1401m 528m
High Intensity – without ball 1139m 65m
High Intensity – ball out of play 205m 124m
No; High Speed activities 249m 283m
Sprint Distance 891m 710m
High Speed Runs – distance 1387m 40
No; Sprints 109 49
Recovery Time 22
 WIDE BACKS
TECHNICAL PROFILE

PREMIERSHIP BEST AVERAGE

Total Passes 93 36
Successful Passes 82 27
Pass Success % 100 78
Passes forward 58 20
Passes received 95 36
Average no: touches 1.99
Headers 25 10
Tackles 13 4
Interceptions 34 16
Crosses 13 2
Shots 5 0
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE WIDE BACKS
 WIDE BACK - ROLE
• Provide a flank passing outlet in all thirds of the field.

• Provide support either ahead or behind the ball for other players who
take up wide receiving positions.

• Deliver accurate crosses or passes to players in goal scoring

positions in the attacking third of the field.

• Organise others and position to prevent opposition penetration on the

flanks.

• Support and cover central backs on central or farside attacking

approach play.

• Defend far post areas from opposite flank attacks unless required to
undertake other roles in the defensive structure.

• Understand safety and risk in all phases of play.

 WIDE BACK - Responsibilities
• Support others and retain and progress possession in flank positions in all thirds of
the field.

• Combine play with others to produce pass outlets in flank positions.

• Alone or in combination with others, provide accurate passes and crosses to

players in goal-creating or goal-scoring positions.

• Pass accurately in all thirds of the field with a 90 % success rate.

• Organise defensive tactics and position and defend to delay and deny opponents
opportunities to penetrate down the flanks.

• Position to control opponents attacking options in accordance with agreed team

defending tactics.

• Mark, press, track and block crosses and passes into goal creating or goal scoring
opponents, from immediate opponents.

• Defend in combination with others against opponents movement and inter-changes

of position eg overlaps, place-changing etc
 WIDE BACK – necessities.

Able to defend in 1 v 1 and 2 v 2 .

Can “smell” danger.
A range of passing – channel, diagonal, behind
Crossing ability on the move at ¾ pace.
Ability to over and underlap.
Play “wall-passes” on the move.
Finish 1 and 2 touch.

1,000 league games

78 International caps.
 SKILLS REQUIRED

• Passing range and capability over a variety of distances.

• Short range inter-passing and combination skills with others.
• Ability to run with the ball.
• Crossing and passing ability when moving outside and inside the
defensive structure.
• Ability to combine play with others to attack the penalty box with or
without the ball eg wall-passes,1 v 1 and link with others.
• Positioning,marking and all 1 v 1 defending skills. –
pressing,intercepting,challenging for the ball,containing
opponents,blocking passes ,shots and crosses.
• Defending skills in far-post and central defending locations eg heading
and clearance skills.
• Combined defending skills eg wall-passes,overlaps,take-overs etc
 WIDE BACKS- Technical
• Practice.
Receiving and Running with the ball.
• Short range “combination “ plays.
• Assured “fast” passes into feet over 20 – 30 yds.
• “Bent passes” forward – 30 yds +.
• Crossing the ball and operating infield in the A1/3rd.
• Measured passes for front players-ground / aerial.
• Understanding “combination-play skills” with and
without the ball.
• All 1 v 1 defending skills.
• “Showing infield and outside”.
• Blocking crosses.
• Defending at the far post.
 MENTAL QUALITIES
CONCENTRATION
a) Defending from crosses.
b) Offside decisions.
c) Tracking runners-deep or to flanks.
d) “Passing- on” runners
e) Defending under sustained pressure
 MENTAL QUALITIES
COMPOSURE
• In physical confrontations.
• Defending in and around the box.
• Clearances under pressure.
• In possession.
 MENTAL ATTRIBUTES
• Courage (Mental / Physical).
• Assertiveness.
• Etc,etc

-WHERE?
-WHEN?
-WHY?
 MENTAL QUALITIES
Composure
a)defending under sustained pressure.
b)defending in the box.
c)delivering crosses and passes.

Mental Toughness
a)Recovery runs
b)Competing against difficult opponent
c) Defending a 1 – 0 lead !

Other Mental Requirements of the Full-back?

ATHLETIC TRAINING
 Defenders activity.

Decelerate Stop
Accelerate

Change “plane”
Change stride
Change direction Regain balance

Make and take

Maintain balance physical contact
Weight shifts
Challenge

Go to ground Jump
Turn E T C , E T C.
 ATHLETIC MATRIX !

DIRECTION DISTANCE ACTION PACE CADENCE REQUIREM’T

0 – 5yds Press Optimum Short Turn

Forward

Mark Medium Jump

Sideways 0 -10 yds 3/4
Long Shift
Diagonal + 10 yds – 20 yds Slide Half
Changes Cut
Backwards Beyond 20 yds Track Jog

Change Challenge
THE ATHLETIC MIX !
Accelerate, decelerate, stop, sprint, jump, twist, turn, go to ground, recover,

Physical contact, concentration,change of stride,direction,”plane”,speed etc

END