- Work as a unit - one presses, the others cover. Generally the closest to the ball presses and the others drop and cover.
- Angles and distances between pressing and covering players. See "invisible string" below.
- Protect the goal.
- Body shape - side on, balls of feet, crouch, arm up. NOT FLAT!
- Show the attacker away from the goal, on to their weaker foot or in to your team mates. Try to make them play backwards or sideways and make them predictable.
- If the opportunity to win the ball arises, tackle with your front foot or if the player tries to go past you, you could use your back foot to block the ball.
- Timing of the tackle
- Keep your eyes on the ball, regardless of any tricks or fancy footwork the attacker may be using.
- Once you've won the ball, can you drive forward and turn defence into attack?
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- Decision making - is there an opportunity to win the ball or should we just hold the player up?
- Decision making - who presses, who covers?
- Adapting - if your team mate makes a mistake or the opposition do something unexpected, how can you adapt to make sure you still protect the goal?
- Awareness - is the player left or right footed, can we show them onto their weaker foot?
- Concentration - where is the goal? Can we make sure we keep it covered as a unit.
- Anticipate the attacker's next move based on their body shape and movement.
- Confidence to go again if things didn't go well
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