Defensive Tips, Part 1

During my first coaching season (boys U12/U13), a veteran coach gave me the following advice: “Find several players who can trade-off playing goalie, then put your strongest player at center defense. Put another strong player on defense, and then put your next strongest player at center midfield. Speed and skill are more important than having a powerful kick. Most coaches put their fastest players at forward. Your defense must shut them down.” I have since observed that most goals are scored on breakaways or goal kicks.

A “shoulder charge” can stop a breakaway, where an opponent is dribbling ahead of all your team toward your goal. Picture an “A” where each leg is a player leaning in, with the two players’ shoulders closest to the opponent touching (at the top of the A). Each is attempting to run the other off the ball. Players love to practice this skill.

Demonstrate a legal shoulder charge with an assistant coach or parent. Show illegal charges (“chasing player” who runs into opponent rather than catching up to them and leaning in; either player swinging the elbow closest to opponent rather than keeping it close to the body).

Pair up players, each with a partner about the same height, with ball 2-3 yards in front of each pair. At coach’s signal, players use shoulder charge to compete for the ball. All pairs can run this drill simultaneously. Progression in difficulty - coach throws the ball in front of each pair in turn and pair competes for the rolling ball.

On goal kicks the danger is from an opponent who is unguarded and is first to the kicked ball. Usually the ball was kicked into the center, in front of the goal mouth.

Choose 2-4 players to practice taking goal kicks. Instruct kickers to aim for a target on the diagonal at the closest sideline. Coach must demonstrate, because most kickers will line up directly behind the ball which will then go straight ahead or curve into the center. During the game, the target is a teammate or even a spectator (coach tells player to aim for the spectator in the red shirt).

Any opponent near your goal should be guarded when your team takes a goal kick. Show your players how to guard by getting goal-side and slightly to the rear of the opponent (your player can always step in front of opponent for mis-kicked ball). Coach will probably have to remind players to mark opponents during your goal kicks (e.g., “Get by a green [opponent’s jersey color] shirt”).
 

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