2025-02-03, 02:13 PM - Word count:
Defending is an art.
The ability to prevent a ball from getting around you and into your net has been studied for dozens of generations. How can one position themselves to close off all angles to a goal, without allowing themselves to be caught out and passed a speedy attacker.
The key is patience.
A ball can't pass through legs. Cutting passing lanes and shots will always prevent a goal. How long can you force a defender to drive or think before they must do something with the ball. Why force them to do anything? Hold your space. They can't get around you. A long touch is yours; a short touch is no gain.
Where can they go?
A goal sits on the end of a box. An attacker can't leave the box. You only worry about the 192 square feet behind you. The ball doesn't belong back there. Eyes are your guide. They can't go to what they aren't aware of. The others are slow anyway, why not just always beat them to the ball in the first place? You do. You aren't responsible for it from then on. Find the space. An attacker with their back to me will never find the space, as that would require turning, which would require losing the ball.
Let them try.
The ability to prevent a ball from getting around you and into your net has been studied for dozens of generations. How can one position themselves to close off all angles to a goal, without allowing themselves to be caught out and passed a speedy attacker.
The key is patience.
A ball can't pass through legs. Cutting passing lanes and shots will always prevent a goal. How long can you force a defender to drive or think before they must do something with the ball. Why force them to do anything? Hold your space. They can't get around you. A long touch is yours; a short touch is no gain.
Where can they go?
A goal sits on the end of a box. An attacker can't leave the box. You only worry about the 192 square feet behind you. The ball doesn't belong back there. Eyes are your guide. They can't go to what they aren't aware of. The others are slow anyway, why not just always beat them to the ball in the first place? You do. You aren't responsible for it from then on. Find the space. An attacker with their back to me will never find the space, as that would require turning, which would require losing the ball.
Let them try.
