Soccer Defense - When to Commit to a Tackle

There are lots of soccer tactics, defensive soccer drills, center back training exercises and defending tips in soccer. In this defending soccer video we are learning when to commit to a tackle when an attacker is dribbling at you with the ball.

This video can be applied to all positions but it's mainly geared for defenders and midfielders.

Description:
In a game there will be situations where an attacker is dribbling at you and there is 20 yards of space between you and him. Your coach may be shouting step up, the fans maybe shouting step up and win the ball or go to the ball but should you step up in that situation?

The answer is usually NO. Here's why. If an attacker is running at you full speed and you are running at full speed at the attacker, it's easier for them to run by you because you are going full speed one way and they are going full speed the other way.

The second and most important reason you don't want to step up is because if you step up you are conceding the space behind you. So if you step up, what happens behind you? You leave space for attackers to make runs in behind you and that is not a good thing.

Is an attacker at the halfway line, 20 yards ahead of you dangerous? Not really. Is it dangerous if a through ball is played into the space behind you to a forward running in the space you left open because you stepped up? Is that situation dangerous? Yes! Don't concede the space behind you for attackers to run into!

Think of the last pro game you watched. When you see an attacking midfielder dribbling at the back line and it's around the middle part of the field are those defenders stepping up to win the ball or are they dropping off? They are dropping off!

Equipment Needed:
You need a partner, a ball and three cones. If you don't have a partner then simulate this exercise by yourself and imagine doing it in a game.

Exercise Player Can Do:
Set up a start cone where the attacker is with the ball. The second cone should be 20 yards from the first. This is where the defender stands. The third cone is 20 yards behind the second cone. Attacker dribbles at the defender full speed. The defender continues to drop and looks around for other attackers making runs until he hits the third cone. Repeat for 2 minutes. Then switch with partner. We are trying to simulate a game situation in this exercise, not trying to win the ball.

Key Points:
1. Drop off, don't step to attacker and concede space behind you.

2. Jockey backwards keeping your eye on the ball and your body open to the field, you should be at 60 percent pace. Your goal is to close the gap between you and the attacker without conceding the space behind you. If you run to fast backwards, there will be too much space for the defender.

3. Step up when the time is right! You can't back up all the way into your own goal and let the attacker have a free shot. When the attacker is near the 25-30 yard mark away from your goal, it's time to step up and try to win the ball.

What Player Could Be Doing Wrong:
If players in a game are constantly running by you it's because you are running at them and diving in. Be sure you are moving backwards as they are running towards you. Now when they take off, you are already moving in that direction.

Bonus Tips!
The best defenders aren't the biggest and fastest defenders, they are the smartest! Don't get me wrong being big, fast and strong helps but those qualities only take you so far. Take pride in how smart you are at defending and how well you read the game!

For 1v1 defending tips please watch my Online Soccer Academy training video titled "Soccer Defense -- MLS Jed Zayner demonstrates how to defend". It's one of my older videos, but it features Jed Zayner of DC United and he gives some great tips!

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Category:

Sports

Tags:

• center back training
• defending tips in soccer
• defensive soccer drills
• soccer defense
• defending soccer
• soccer tactics
• tackle soccer

[Farisdinho80]

thankyou couch its usefull

[OnlineSoccerAcademy]

@Farisdinho80 you are very welcome!

[douglasxboxx3]

Pretty much every time I win the battle either the ball will bounce off a attacker or they will foul me and it won't be called

[OnlineSoccerAcademy]

@douglasxboxx3 sounds like you need to mentally commit to the tackle more. I use to have that problem. I would try to win it but the other player always got the lucky bounce. Then when I changed my mindset and had no doubt in my mind I would win it, then I would win the majority of my tackles and get the lucky bounces. Believe in it® more!!

[sepertine]

Sigh, sometimes some strikers have such great footwork, I can't tackle them their footwork is too fast, I can only block them off, forcing them to the sides, such that they have to pass to their other teammates, am I defending right? Thanks!

[OnlineSoccerAcademy]

@sepertine blocking them (as long as you don't foul) and forcing them sideways and them to make a pass is good defending. You don't always have to win the ball from them. Having said that sometimes you want to win the tackle when it's on too. I can't tell if you are defending right since I can't see you in action. Watch my video titled "Soccer Defense - MLS Jed Zayner demonstrates how to defend". That will help you!

[OnlineSoccerAcademy]

@William96465 1st. Thanks for leaving a comment. 2nd. Did you watch the whole video? I think you might have mis understood the video. 3rd. I disagree with your comment. If you step to an attacker as described in this video they will pass in the space behind you, which is more dangerous. 4th. You have a right to your opinion and I respect it. But there is no reason to call me an idiot. That's just rude and disrespectful. 5th. Thanks again for watching a leaving a comment.

[SkilliciousDesigns]

Yay this was my requested video! Thanks alot! :)

[Zlatanherdiarto]

it help me so much

[William96465]

I play defense. Defending is by far what I am best at. I am not a big and athletic guy at all but I make up for it by being smart. I have always said that defending deals more with being smart than athletic.I just want to say that this guy is an idiot when it comes to defense. I mean sure he is right about how should jockey and not charge and stab , I get that. But the only time you should ever back up that far away from the attacker is maybe in a one on one situation, that is it.

[OnlineSoccerAcademy]

@fznutmeg83 that happens sometimes. It's more a mindset issue in my opinion. When you go into a tackle you need to 100% believe you are going to win the tackle, no doubts. You think like that and the balls will start bouncing your way. Let me know how it goes??