Junior Soccer Defending - Directing the Play

http://www.juniorsoccercoach.com

Do your players know whether to show an opponent inside or outside when they are defending?

You may want to consider this tactic when coaching your players. There are two schools of thought on this; One says that your defenders should show the opponents outside towards the touchline.

The reason for this is that if your player does get beat then the opponent will still have to get a cross in. Also, they should be at a more acute angle to get a shot on target if they have been successfully pushed outside.

The alternative to this is showing the opponents inside, towards goal. If this is to be your style of play then the players need to be organised so that there is strength inside. This can be a risky tactic if players are not switched on or don't know where to best position themselves.

Showing them inside would be a good tactic if you where playing with five in defence with a good sweeper.

If your team lacks some direction on this tactic, then it will be very difficult for them to get an organised shape and take a position which is best suited to holding up or breaking down an attack.

Both young and older players can be coached on this.

As players get older, and become more tactically aware & proficient in defending techniques, they will be able to influence the build up play and therefore your defensive line can react, and adjust, by taking the lead off the first defender.

Build this simple tactic into some small sided games in training and watch the beneficial results on match day! For more Junior Soccer help, drills, exercises and coach development visit http://www.juniorsoccercoach.com and join the free junior soccer tip of the week. Or send a blank email to: mailto:tips@juniorsoccercoach.com