Defending

Defense paves the way to Victory

Defense is the manner in which a team is organized when the opponents is in possession of the ball. It also refers to the skills needed to dispossess an opponent of the ball. A team skilled in individual defense and team defense will be able to withstand an opponents’ attacking phase and when the time is right step in to repossess. There are two distinct types of defense; zone defense and man to man defense, however, in reality any type of defense will incorporate both principles into a defense scheme.

A strict zonal defense refers to a defense in which the players are responsible for defending within set areas of the field. Within each zone the players are responsible not only for the opponent in their zone but the opponents nearby as well. Generally speaking, the movement of the ball dictates the movement of the defense. However, the run of the first defender effects how the ball moves. The second defenders and third defenders will move according to how the first defender reacts as well as where the ball is on the field. Therefore the defense can dictate the flow of play by playing organized within a zonal system.

A strict man to man defense refers to a defense where each player on the field is responsible for marking an opposing teams’ player. Strict man to man defense is rarely played across the entire field. When man marking does take place across the entire field it usually involves an individual man marking the opponents star tightly within a zonal scheme.

Though many different styles and systems are used, a combination of both man and zonal defense leads to the best system of defending for most teams. Teams that defend within a set system understanding the principles of man marking defense and zonal coverage defense are the teams that are most difficult to score on.

Man Marking

Man marking is a system that refers to one player defending another player exclusively. When on defense, each player is responsible for one of the opponents and defending against them. A strict man marking system is rarely seen anymore across the whole field, however within every zonal scheme is a component of man marking.

Within the man system there are two types of marking: inside marking and outside marking. Inside marking consists of the pressure defender on the inside of the attackers shoulder forcing the opponent to move outside. Outside marking is when the defender sets up outside of the attackers shoulder to force inside. Within both types exists a weakness and a strength.

Outside of Shoulder Marking (forcing inside)

When marking outside shoulder, the player is forced inside. The weakness is this forces the attacker where he wants to go; towards the goal. The strength of marking the outside shoulder is that it forces the attacker to the defensive strength which is the covering and balancing defenders. For the central fullbacks, forcing inside can make it difficult because the ball is being forced to the area they do not necessarily want it, so there is more pressure on the center fullbacks to prevent the attackers from scoring because they are being forced inside. The central fullbacks will need to adjust their marking shoulder to prevent their marks from receiving and going to goal. If the outside backs are forcing inside, the central fullbacks must mark inside shoulder, so if the ball is played into the forwards, they can prevent the forward from receiving and turning to goal for a shot.

Inside of Shoulder Marking (forcing outside)

When marking the inside of the shoulder the play is being forced outside, away from the goal. This pushes the ball away from the strength of the defense but also away from the goal. For the defender marking inside shoulder, he will have a strength in keeping the defender towards the outside and away from the goal. The weakness lies in the serve from the flanks as it will be easier to serve from the flanks because the pressure is from the inside. For the central fullbacks, they need to mark inside shoulder versus their marks. If the ball is served they do not want to have a forward recieve and be able to go to goal without pressure. By marking inside shoulder, they will be able to challange the and stay between their mark and the goal.

The reason to push outside is to keep the opponent away from where he wants to go; the goal. The strength to forcing inside is in the numbers of defenders inside and the pressure they apply to the defender. Either way the footwork is similar: a staggered stance, sideways on, allowing the defender to move in both directions.

Summary

The man marking system, if played across the entire field applies the same ideas; force outside to push the opponent away from the goal but possibly be susceptible to serves or force inside to push the opponent towards the defensive strength but also towards the goal. The emphasis on man marking in the defensive third is due to the danger posed by the opponent being near the goal and the mistakes will be greater than if other places on the field. However for the team playing a full field man marking system, all players must understand the principles of man marking, the proper positioning and the footwork involved in forcing either outside or inside.

Man Marking with the ball in the center

The left defender and right defender are inside marking so the flanks are exposed to the outside. This is the least dangerous option, however, the middle is now exposed for a serve from the flanks. Any runners must be marked as the serve will be into the box. If the defender can tackle to prevent the service he should do so, but serves can be expected when giving the flanks to the attackers		The outside shoulder is marked here, taking away the outside pass, but leaving the middel exposed. The sweeper should be the first to any through balls if he is properly positioned and reading the game properly.
Man marking with the ball outside
The ball is in the flanks. The left fullback is marking outside shoulder forcing the ball inside. This takes away the flank but opens up the middle. The keeper and right defender must be aware and reading the game to take away any pass to the middle. The right defender is marking inside shoulder as the ball is on the far side. The right flank is open to a serve if the opponent can put a ball over the top, but the defense should be able to adjust as the ball travels.		The ball is out the outside. The left fullback marks inside shoulder taking away the center, but opening up the flank. This will give access to a serve but limit the opportunities in the center. The right fullback marks inside shoulder because the ball is on the far side. The right flank is open to a serve if the opponent can put a ball over the top, but the defense should be able to adjust as the ball travels.

Zonal Defense

Zonal defense is a system of defense where players are responsible for defending specific zones on the field. Systems such as the 4-4-2 and the 4-3-3 are examples of systems with four defenders. In these systems there are four fullbacks defending the backline. These players are responsible for marking players that enter the defensive third.

The zonal defense depends on each player on the field understanding his or her responsibilities for defending at every moment of the game. These responsibilities are continually changing as the ball is constantly moving and the opponents is in constant motion, however when distinctions are made concerning defenders in relation to the ball a zonal system of defense simplifies both for the coach and the player. A team trained to understand the roles of the first defender, second defenders and third defenders can easily switch in and out of various systems of play as they understand how to defend in relation to the ball. To understand this, first there must be and understanding of what these terms mean.

Role of the First Defender