Modern Day Defending

Defensive marking has changed!   It used to be easy, just follow your man.  But it has changed, now you must consider the space and the man.  It's zone defending which combines man marking and space marking creating a tighter defense.  Lets take a closer look:  
Back in the late 70's and early 80's and most of the 90's we, here in the USA, were taught man to man marking.  Most of us are products of this generation and a change to zonal play has really been quite a challenge. So, let's talk about Modern Day Marking or what we should really call Modern Day Defending.

How do we mark our opponents today?  When do we zone defend and when do we man mark?

It's simpler than it appears.  On the ball side of the field we must consider and be prepared to mark an opponent tightly.  (An opponent that is likely to receive the ball.)  But when do we zone?  What exactly is zonal defending?

Zoning is basically managing your area (space) of the field. When the ball is near, you must mark the dangerous player.  When the ball is away, or your nearby opponent is not likely to receive the ball,  the surrounding space is likely to be more important.  The surrounding space being the space behind the defense and the space between defenders.  Defenders in this position must defend the space and prevent the opponent from penetrating the space with a pass between defenders or into the space behind the defense.  Utilizing the offsides line, the touch line, nearby defenders and your Goal Keeper, all come in to play at this stage of zonal marking.  

When the ball is not near (Non ball side.) or on the opposite side of the field the opponent is not dangerous and should not be tightly marked.   In this case, the space behind the defense and the space towards the middle of the field  is more dangerous and should be protected.

So. The non ball side player must decide:  What is more dangerous the player or the space behind the defense or the space towards the middle of the field?    

If and when an opponent moves out of a defenders zone he is passed to the next defender.  It's simple and saves energy while protecting valuable space.  Communication is key.  Positive chatter is very valuable.   Save energy by not chasing an opponent who is not dangerous.  Pass him on...

Exceptions:  There are always exceptions to the rule.  Use common sense and follow the fundamental principles of defending when training your teams.

Problem:  2 opponents are attacking one defender. 

Solution: Zone and prevent the dangerous player from getting behind the defense. If in shooting range,  prevent the player with the ball from shooting.     Play the odds.     Use the offside line, use nearby and supporting defenders.     Delay until supporting defenders can get back.     No help?      Shrink the field and allow the GK to become the supporting defender.    Take away the passing lane to the second attacker before closing the first attacker.   

Staying Connected is key to zonal marking.  It is a term commonly used: (Staying Connected.)   It refers to your defensive team shape.  It means when defending, all players come together to create a tight shape.  One that is very difficult to penetrate.  This means all your players stay within a 10 meter or so distance from each other from side to side.   In addition there should be no large gaps between your lines of defense. (Strikers, Midfielders and Defenders and your Goal Keeper are all "staying connected.")  Now, your team has good defensive shape and will be tough to score against.  Keeping a tight shape is only recommended when there is pressure on the ball.  No pressure on the ball?  Then your team must prevent any passes behind the defense and stretch you defensive shape to do so...

More Defensive Detail to Come!  (Defending with 3.  Defending with 4.  Playing aggressively high.  Holding the defensive line.  Midfield zonal defending.  Utilizing your strikers to starting your defensive scheme.)

Got a defensive topic or question?  Let's discuss...