• The Players Academy of Soccer Skills Presents its Special Topics Clinic on "Defensive Soccer". 
• Course Duration: 3-4 hours
• Cost: Dependent on numbers and location
• Teaching Methodology: Guided Development through small sided games
• Full handout, incorporating lesson plans, theory and methodology
• For more information Click here 

• This Clinic is based on Alan Wades Principals of Defensive enhanced by over 20 years experience in the art of defensive soccer.
• The Clinic focus is based on the following functional Principals:

Defending Principle No.1 - Delay

The defending team must do everything possible to prevent a quick counter-attack after losing the ball.  Often this is accomplished by one player going to the attacker with a ball, applying pressure and so and preventing the forward ball.  Or it might be accomplished on a team basis by bringing in some of the other defending principles we summarize below, e.g., the team "drops off" and concedes space away from the goal while filling in the dangerous attacking areas in front of the goal.

Defending Principle No.2 - Support in Defense (or Depth)

As the attacking team seeks to support their 1st attacker, the defending team in its cat and mouse persona, supports their 1st defender - the delaying player.

The defensive support by the players nearest the challenging player attempts to give close support.  Their distance of support will depend on the situation and what part of the field they are supporting the player on the ball, but generally speaking, the defensive support is much tighter than the attacking support, as attackers are trying to create space and defenders are trying to restrict space.

Defending Principle No.3 - Concentration

If attackers are trying to stretch the defence, it behoves defenders to concentrate themselves in the most vulnerable areas.  Concentration and the next defensive principle, Balance, work closely together, as do Delay and Support.  If a defending team is in any way unsure of itself, it should fall back to cover the goal, stay compact, and give away space in less dangerous parts of the field (this another way of effecting "tactical delay").

Some coaches call this "Compaction."

Defending Principle No. 4 - Balance

If mobility is being used to unbalance teams then that principle of maintaining balance must be exercised to counter the attacking runs.  Now the picture is becoming more complex as all players are involved give the team Balance. Usually it is the players away from the bail - not the 1st & 2nd defenders - who give "Balance" and they are called the 3rd Defenders.

Thirds of the Field

Before covering the final two Principles of Play, we should quickly look at the importance of thinking in "thirds" of the field, rather than the more conventional halves.  While the rules of the game and field markings split the field into two, the tactical considerations are better viewed in thirds.

In the Defending Third, the general philosophy is that of caution. 

The Middle Third is the battleground for dominance and the build-up area for successful attacks.

The Final Third is where 99% of all goals are scored from. 

For that reason, the thinking in the Attacking Third must be very different than in the Defending Third.  The Defending Third is the no-nonsense zone where any danger is met by playing for safety - perhaps by a long clearance kick, even playing the ball out of play to concede a throw-in.

The Middle Third is less-dangerous and is the build-up zone, but any mistake made in that area of the field can also be costly. 

Whereas in the Final Third taking risks is what good attackers are looking to do by using dribbles, fakes, back-heels - in fact, anything that is going to create an opportunity for getting a shot at goal or for making an opening for an attacking team-mate.

Defending Principle No. 5 - Discipline & Patience (Control and Restraint)

If a defending team has observed all the previous four defending principles, it will find itself, for the moment, in good shape to deal with most, if not all, contingencies.

In which case, the defending the team should remain patient and exercise Control and Restraint and not "sell the jerseys" by reckless defending. Of course, the situation will change as soon as the ball is moved, or an attacking player moves into a new position and then all defending principles begin again.

Transition

The word "Transition" has become a key buzzword in today's game - although "Transition" has been around the soccer world for ever (Counter-Attack!).

What happens after possession has been re-gained, or after the ball is lost, can often determine the result of the game.  This is when a fast, positive response can catch teams off-balance and in poor defensive shape.

Good teams have a double persona.  They are Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  They play both ways - immediately they have to.  So one moment they are free running, expressive and creative.  The next moment they are mean, determined and task-oriented.  

Were we wrong?  No!  Principles and Systems are inextricably intertwined and work together.  But a coach who does not fully understand the Principles of Play will always be tactically challenged.