TIP #4 - SECOND DEFENDER

This Tactics Tip is all about the SECOND DEFENDER.  But to talk about this tip, I need to give you a definition of MARKING and COVER.

MARKING - This word means you will pick out an opponent and TIGHTLY follow them.  One thing about marking is that you want to keep in a position so you can see the ball AND your marked opponent while being GOAL SIDE of the person you are marking.  IF YOU ARE FACING YOUR OWN GOAL, you have lost your opponent!

COVER - This word means you may pick out an opponent and LOOSELY follow them OR you will LOOSELY defend a space between the ball, your opponent, and your goal.  Again, IF YOUR ARE FACING YOUR OWN GOAL, you have failed to cover!

IN SHORT - Remember:    TIGHT + ATTACKER = MARKING
                                              LOOSE + ATTACKER OR SPACE = COVER

OKAY, LET'S LEARN ABOUT THE SECOND DEFENDER!

The SECOND DEFENDER(S) main job is to SUPPORT the FIRST DEFENDER by MARKING attackers within 10-15 yards from the ball (short passing distance).  The SECOND DEFENDERS will also COVER the short passing SPACES around the ball. 

From our last tip, we know that the FIRST DEFENDER is DELAYING the attacker with the ball.  She is FOCUSING on the ball.  She CAN NOT see what is going on BEHIND her or on her FAR LEFT or RIGHT.  The SECOND DEFENDER(S) MUST, MUST, MUST be COMMUNICATING with the FIRST DEFENDER so she knows whether to pressure the attacker or make a try for the ball.

In outdoor soccer, you will generally have as many second defenders as there are attackers within 10-15 yards of the ball.  Indoor soccer requires that ALL defenders are SECOND DEFENDERS (Yes, Keepers too) except for the FIRST DEFENDER.

 Some common mistakes I see with our SECOND DEFENDERS:

	Focusing on the ball (that's the FIRST DEFENDER's job)
	Failing to MARK an attacker
	Loosing the GOAL SIDE position (YOU ARE FACING YOUR OWN GOAL...ARRRGH!!!)
	Giving up the SPACE by not reacting to the change in ATTACK
	NOT COMMUNICATING

These mistakes are especially CRITICAL in OUR DEFENDING THIRD.

 In summary, the SECOND DEFENDERS:

                - Are the players MARKING attackers within 10-15 yards from the ball,
                - COVER the passing SPACES within 10-15 yards from the ball,
                - SUPPORT the FIRST DEFENDER, and
                - COMMUNICATE with the FIRST DEFENDER and other SECOND DEFENDERS.

Now, I have not had any questions so far on any of these tips.  So, either I am a BRILLIANT coach and writer and you guys are understanding every tip, OR you guys are not keeping up with the tips!  So here is a little POP QUIZ that you can email back to me by FEBRUARY 15:

 

"In tip #1, I said that ALL defenders must work together to do FOUR things.  What are they?"