When someone speaks of a strong defender, they are often talking about their aggression and how they are able to get the ball away from a dribbler by kicking it away or tackling it away. For many young players the physical contact involved in this inhibits their success as a defender as the aggression and competitiveness has not developed at that point.
At early stages of development, whether a player is aggressive or passive it is important to teach 'Individual Defending' as a technique. By teaching as a technique the player has an established movement pattern and understanding for later in their playing career and with the proper technique they have a platform for aggressive play as the fear of injury is lessened.
At U10-U12 the technique is introduced as a warm up. We are planting seeds not fully developing them into world-class defenders. We are providing players with a point of reference so we do not need to plan training sessions around defending at this age, we simply need to plant the seed of language and movement, then reference when needed.
Technique Progressions
Progression #1 - Get Around the Ball & Turn Feet
'Getting around the ball' teaching the elementary understanding of DIRECTING the dribbler in one direction.
'Turning their feet' puts them in the same direction and posture of the dribbler so they are on even terms when sprinting versus a defender who is going backwards while a dribbler sprints forward. Feet should be turned so they are facing their own ball. It is important to turn feet early, and keep the feel underneath the body in a balanced 'ready to sprint' position.
Notice the contact with the hand closest to the dribbler. The player is asked to reach forward and make contact on top of the dribbler's arm (whoever controls the front is in the best position to win the ball).
Progression # 2 - Pick Up the Speed of Dribbler
After the player is balanced they must pick up the speed of the dribbler. Here the players are asked to 'get around the ball' and 'turn their feet' then pick up the speed of the ball.
Progression # 3 - Step Across Dribbler
Winning the ball is about coming away with the ball, not kicking the ball away (unless it is an intentional tackle/pass to a teammate). The focus becomes on stepping into the 'space between the dribbler and the ball' versus going for the ball directly. Once the body is between the ball and the dribbler the ball has been won. In the video you can see the large step across the front of the dribbler which seals them from the ball.
Progression # 4 - Be Patient & Maintain Posture
Defenders will get into trouble if they over commit, commit too early, or end up turning their bodies when good dribblers move the ball. Every time the defender changes the direction that they are facing they must put too much weight on one foot which is what good dribblers exploit.
In this exercise the defender gets around the ball with their feet turned, they keep a safe distance from the dribbler, and while the dribbler rolls the ball, the defender maintains the same balanced posture while maintaining the same distance. When the dribbler moves forward the defender is able to step across the front of them and into the space to win the ball.
'Getting around the ball' teaching the elementary understanding of DIRECTING the dribbler in one direction.
'Turning their feet' puts them in the same direction and posture of the dribbler so they are on even terms when sprinting versus a defender who is going backwards while a dribbler sprints forward. Feet should be turned so they are facing their own ball. It is important to turn feet early, and keep the feel underneath the body in a balanced 'ready to sprint' position.
Notice the contact with the hand closest to the dribbler. The player is asked to reach forward and make contact on top of the dribbler's arm (whoever controls the front is in the best position to win the ball).
Progression # 2 - Pick Up the Speed of Dribbler
After the player is balanced they must pick up the speed of the dribbler. Here the players are asked to 'get around the ball' and 'turn their feet' then pick up the speed of the ball.
Progression # 3 - Step Across Dribbler
Winning the ball is about coming away with the ball, not kicking the ball away (unless it is an intentional tackle/pass to a teammate). The focus becomes on stepping into the 'space between the dribbler and the ball' versus going for the ball directly. Once the body is between the ball and the dribbler the ball has been won. In the video you can see the large step across the front of the dribbler which seals them from the ball.
Progression # 4 - Be Patient & Maintain Posture
Defenders will get into trouble if they over commit, commit too early, or end up turning their bodies when good dribblers move the ball. Every time the defender changes the direction that they are facing they must put too much weight on one foot which is what good dribblers exploit.
In this exercise the defender gets around the ball with their feet turned, they keep a safe distance from the dribbler, and while the dribbler rolls the ball, the defender maintains the same balanced posture while maintaining the same distance. When the dribbler moves forward the defender is able to step across the front of them and into the space to win the ball.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)