Defending 1 v 1 Defending Preventing passes through the Lines 2 v 2 Defending Defending as a Unit: Preventing passes through the Lines 4 v 4 Defending Defending in Central & Wide Areas to shut down Attacks Compact Defending Preventing the Opposition driving towards Goal Preventing Attacks down the Flanks Stepping high as a team to win the ball Denying passes into Midfield by Pressing High Defending crosses to move up the pitch Staying compact to deny balls into Attackers Winning the ball in the midfield third Stepping high to prevent balls through Midfield Staying compact to win the ball against an overload Staying compact in midfield to restrict forward passes Maintaining compactness to prevent forward passes Forcing the opposition into congested areas to win the ball Deflecting the ball away from the centre of the pitch Limiting space centrally to force the ball wide & defend crosses Step/drop/hold as a unit to protect the space in behind Preventing the opposition building out from the back Closing down the opposition to prevent them driving into space Denying passes through the 3rd’s as a unit of three Showing the ball into overloaded areas to intercept and transition Cover and balance as a pair to stop opposition moving forward Protecting the ball by deflecting the ball wide Angles and distances to show the attacker one way Defensive rondo working as a unit to protect the house Compact midfield unit to prevent forward passes Defending corners and second phase to transition Compactness to prevent passes through and transition to attack Defending as a unit in the final third to counter Shuffle and slide to stay compact and prevent forward passes Practicing staying connected and compact as a back four Defending in a midfield 5 to stop the opposition playing through Closing down attacker to jockey in a 1 v 1 Recovery run to step out and defend in a 1 v 1 Deflecting attacks away from goal and clearing crosses Cover ground quickly to deflect the attacker away from goal Forcing the ball wide to defend crosses into the box Pressure the attacker to show away from goal Winning the aerial duel and transition to stop wide attacks Delay and deflect the attackers to disrupt build up play High intensity defending: blocking and clearing the ball Compactness to restrict the opposition in the middle third Defend the cross and step out to retain shape Transition to cover ground quickly to block the pass Deflect the attacker away from goal to get support Chasing the attacker 1 v 1 recovery defending Defensive compactness as a four to prevent forward passes Retaining shape to close the pitch off and slow down attacks 1 v 1 Defending: Slowing down the attacker to win the ball Travel quickly to close down attacker and deflect from goal Recover and drop to close down the attacker and deflect from goal Compact shape to prevent the opposition from dropping in Defensive circuit: Heading, blocking and recovery defending Staying compact in central areas to force the opposition wide Midfield compactness to prevent balls through to forwards Defending in a low block: Engage in the right areas Wide players moving into shape to regain compactness Recovery runs against the forward to defend the cross Disrupting build up: Protect the space in behind Forcing the attacker wide and winning the aerial duel Defending the box: Getting the ball away from danger Back 3 and Midfield 4 denying space and forward play Defending an overload: Forcing the ball away from goal Compactness in the middle of the pitch to stop passes through 1 v 1 Defending: Close the attacker down and restrict space 1 v 1 Defending: Showing the attacker away from goal Compact shape to prevent space and progression through Front & Middle 3 compactness to win the ball centrally Defending the box: Clearing the ball from danger Screening and sliding to prevent the ball coming through
