Better Soccer Coaching / Better Soccer Coaching / The Dug-Out / Defending against "Super Fast " Strikers / Latest Posts

RE: Defending against "Super Fast " Strikers

atrain2 — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 23:58:39 GMT

How do you practice the offsides trap? Do the teammates communicate to eachother before running it during a game?

RE: Defending against "Super Fast " Strikers

TheSoccerEssentials — Wed, 19 May 2010 20:19:52 GMT

Relying on the Offside trap can be a dangerous solution. You may want to think about dropping into a 5-4-1 (your wingers will have to play high up the pitch and work hard on both sides - defence and offence). That way you can shift one of your defenders into a sweeper position. The two central defenders above him can man mark the two "speedy" strikers, this will leave the sweeper free to help out on any loose balls and close down attacks from the opposition.

The offside trap is a difficult tactic to implement, especially at such a young age. You may also want to check out these helpful articles on Soccer Defending.

Hope this helps, and good luck with the season.

RE: Defending against "Super Fast " Strikers

bobpom1 — Thu, 13 May 2010 18:57:43 GMT

(sorry for the 3-year old reply).

Our challenge in implementing the offside trap is that we play (Over 40) in a league with a single ref. We run the risk, especially with fast strikers), of leaving them offside but then not having it called. An extra headstart for speedy players.

Any thoughts there? Only real solution I can think of is to have a flat-four and make sure everyone is ready to sprint back on D should any long balls go over our heads.

RE: Defending against "Super Fast " Strikers

steven — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 07:20:48 GMT

hi,

my opinion regarding your questions about your team's defensive problems. unable to mark fast attackers, unable to stop the penetrative passes into danger area, difficulties to hold a defensive offside line, or even defensive high ball technique, and lack of patience, commited too early..

if you cant solve these SIMPLE problems. you're actually wasting your players times.. sorry to said that. BECAUSE defence is the most easiest area to train in soccer compare to other part of soccer..

no formation and tactical play can overcome players inabilities. technical skill, tactical understanding can help. you the coach work on it.

below is my opinion:

1 ) individual defending technique and skill.

2 ) group defending.

3 ) defending block in different third of the field and as a team in the game.

4 ) defending set-play.

5 ) style of defence.

steven

RE: Defending against "Super Fast " Strikers

Sandman — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:01:40 GMT

If a change of tactics is too much to handle then teaching the midfield to cut off the supply is the next bit. The opposition midfield should not have the time to launch a longball upfield and over your defenders, also looks like the defence is leaving to large a gap and the keeper is still on his line..... Have the defenders drop a little deeper and the keeper off the line to clean up any over the top balls.

RE: Defending against "Super Fast " Strikers

lemonade man — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 20:22:18 GMT

I MANAGED A YOUTH TEAM FROM AGE 9 FOR THREE YEARS, TO GET THE TEAM DEFENDING CORRECTLY WE TOLD THE CENTRE BACK TO ALWAYS LOOK AT THE POSITION MY OTHER COACH ON THE SIDELINE, THE BOYS SOON GOT TO KNOW WERE THEY SHOULD BE BY LOOKING ACROSS THE LINE.

IT MIGHT HELP.:)

RE: Defending against "Super Fast " Strikers

paulm — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 19:11:57 GMT

Heading the keepers kick: It will come, my lads were exactly the same. We worked on all sorts of heading drills but the height and speed in a game threw them. So we worked on NOT letting it bounce which eased them into heading. Play volleyball only using feet, thinghs, chest and head (use a goal as the 'net' and they quickly become confident at preventing the bounce.

RE: Defending against "Super Fast " Strikers

Martin M — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 08:56:52 GMT

Hi Guys, forgive me for this is my first post on this forum, but I suggest some thing I tried with my under 16’s with regards to super fast attacking force.

The majority of my lads this is there first season at competitive football this weekend just gone, we came up against the top of the table, historically these opponents where winning every thing. Knowing our defence was a problem I set up my training session to try and address the problem.

I placed 9 cones in half the pitch indicating the ideal position in a typical 1-4-1-4 with a strong defender sat just in front of my defence with the midfield sat 5 yards from the half way line with a lone striker sat in the opponents half.

I place each player on a cone and instructed them with two simple rules 1. never dive in ,i.e hold up the attacking player, 2. players may go as far as his neighbouring cone but not beyond it, defend in pairs with the rear line looking for runners and cover the gaps created by the movement of the midfield

Positioning is every thing:

The remaining squad members (plus my striker) where given free reign to attack this defending line up however they wished. Needless to say in training the attacking force could not penetrate the 9 man defensive line.

I took this system into the game on Sunday and we held the team 3 – 3 needless to say I have a very fast striker who scored on counter attacks

The system gives no room for the opponents strikers to run on to the ball, not nice football but it did the job.

On a final note it did give me the opportunity to review the team defensive technique and it highlighted very clearly the need for the team to defend as a unit and areas in need of practise.

Sorry if my explanation is not clear, set it up in training and give it a go it lets you watch your lads defend which will clearly indicate any weakness

x x x x

x = cones..... defender just beyound the 18 yard box, midfield 5 yards from the half way line

Martin ..........................................................................

RE: Defending against "Super Fast " Strikers

Ian — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 15:15:24 GMT

Wayne,

I think it is great that you have taught the offside trap at a young age. I coach an u-12 team as well and the offside trap has been a big help in many games. My U-12 have the offside trap down to a sience. I do agree though playing against two fast strikers you might want to drop your defense a bit. Expect the long ball. Placing a 5th defender you are playing for a tie or loss. Thanks for listening.

RE: Defending against "Super Fast " Strikers

swift1 — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 13:07:14 GMT

I run a side that will be going into under 18 this season 2007 - 2008. I have been with the same team since they were under 13.

My approach to offside has always been based on three factors

1) The players positioning themselves side on so they are not having to turn to deal with anything going over head height

2) defending in zones a) halfway line

b) last third c) edge of the 18 yard box.

As play approaches the defensive line drops to the neccarsarry zone

3) The goalkeepers positioning - if the defence is holding half way line then the keeper is positioned on the edge of the semi circle of the penalty area thus minimising space behind the defence.

The above "factors" have held us in good stead for the past five seasons and we havent really suffered from any danger of a high ball over the defence.

We are also blessed to possess an extremely quick and competeitive centre half who relishes the one on one challenge who if we do come up against exceptional speed can effectively man mark.

RE: Defending against "Super Fast " Strikers

Alig — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 23:16:46 GMT

Other things you can do include coaching yr defense to " make the pitch small" so that its not easy for nippy forwards to get into space and split defences.

Closest player goes to defend the ball, the next provides cover( and communicates) the next balance and so on. Coach them to understand their role and how it changes as the ball moves. better players will break down flat back 4s that play offside. Consider zonal marking rather than man to man.

Try practise sessions that start 2vs 2 then 3vs3 than 4vs4 Then overload attack (6)vs defence(4) you'll be surprised how much yr defence can cope with if they are well organsied and trust each other.

I agree play a deeper line but not so deep that you are sitting on yr 18 yard line

RE: Defending against "Super Fast " Strikers

popeyetheblade — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 19:25:49 GMT

Wayne

I coach an under 18 team here in Sheffield, we had that problem last season when we played one of the top teams in our division, after 15 minutes found ourselves 3-0 down, we moved from 4-4-2 to 4-1-4-1 until half time with a strong defensive midfielder just sat in front of the back four who picked up on whichever of the stikers made the first run with a central defender then tracking the other, worked a dream and we pulled it back to 3-2.

Beginning of the 2nd half went 4-3-3 with the defensive midfielder again doing the same job for about 15 minutes and the front 3 given a free role to do whatever was necessary and we won 6-3. Don't actually know whether under 12's would be able to grasp the changes in formation as well as under 18's did but may be worth noting and giving a try if you feel safe enough doing so.

All the best for the future

Tony

RE: Defending against "Super Fast " Strikers

Wayne — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 11:58:22 GMT

Hi there all,

I have taken your advices, and we have reverted to dropping back into more a defensive role.

We play the offside trap within limits, but attack from the defensive line.I value all input.

regards

RE: Defending against "Super Fast " Strikers

JimW13UK — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 15:24:09 GMT

Theyre are some good drills and games for lads to use that teachs them about defending properly without diving in , cos as we all know once a player is on his backside (after having dived in ) the striker is free to attack.

Its about teaching them the correct stance , the correct approach to the player which is fine for me to do as my lot are 13-14's but at a younger age I would imagine its tougher trying to get them to understand it.

If you have a look for any FA Level 2 coaching drill books or pamphlets - they have some good drills in them which works specifically on defending 1v1 , 2v1 , 2v2 , 1v2 etc..

RE: Defending against "Super Fast " Strikers

Nick — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 12:20:59 GMT

I think a good idea is to use 3 defenders with 1 of them acting as sweeper.

For example if the opposition has 1 forward who is causing trouble then you have a man-marker and 2 guys dropping deeper.

But this system is best suited against 2 strikers as you have your 2 man-markers and the extra man at the back covering incase your markers lose the individual battle against the striker.

Although you are a man short up-front or in the middle, it makes you harder to beat and you no longer need to worry about your defensive problems.

RE: Defending against "Super Fast " Strikers

Wayne — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:20:41 GMT

Thank Jim,

Your advices are noted. The other problem that i seem to have, even after endless "jocking sessions", is that the boys still tend to dive into tackles. The other area of concern is that they are scared to header the ball from the opposing keepers "kick out".

We have had a good run up until this past week end and the boys are a tad despondent!!!

RE: Defending against "Super Fast " Strikers

Frankie — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 23:54:05 GMT

with you on that one Jim.

As for the offside trap at junior level Wayne, put it to bed and teach the players to defend and tackle, worry about the offside trap when they are older

RE: Defending against "Super Fast " Strikers

JimW13UK — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 12:51:11 GMT

to my simple mind - if your playing against super fast strikers then play your defence deeper and have them hold a deeper line were the speed of the strikers cant hurt them in behind. If they are a bit deeper then the ball over the top can be dealt with and the speed of the strikers is negated. If you play high then the ball over the top gives a lot of grass for the speedy strikers to use and stretch their advantage.

Jim

Defending against "Super Fast " Strikers

Wayne — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 12:19:44 GMT

Hi there,

I coach an under 12 "A" side and we have had a good start to the season, having played 4, won 3 and drawn 1.

I have been working hard teaching my boys about the offside trap, especially my defenders / midfield. This has been working
very well, so i thought, with 14 goals for us and 6 against us.

However, this week end we played a team with 2 "Super fast" strikers, so there midfield literally popped the ball over our heads,
and there strikers were there to finish it off. We lost 7 - 1, ouch!!!

Do i continue working with the offside trap, up to which point on our half? I play a 4 - 4 - 2 formation, but eventually had to put 5 back in defence.

Your suggestions would really be appreciated,

Ta

Wayne _ Panorama Football Club - South Africa