Soccer Edition 133

Welcome to the Soccer Newsletter.  Today’s subject involves providing support as the second defender.

The basic role of the second defender is to provide coverage and support to the defender who is the first defender.  Sometimes coaches get caught up in terminology such as first defender, second defender and third defender but to explain it real easily.  The first defender (or defenders) is the person marking the player with the ball.  A mistake that is commonly made is to assume there is always only one first defender but if there are two players pressuring the ball, they might both be first defenders.  The second defender is the player or players who are providing immediate coverage for the first defender so that if the first defender gets beat, the second defender is there to step up and take the player with the ball (and become the first defender).

Too often the player who should take on the role of the second defender gets consumed with concentrating on marking her own player and forgets to provide the much-needed coverage that is expected of the second defender.  It’s important that all players remember that the most dangerous player is almost always the player with the ball and while it’s great to take responsibility for the marking of your own player, the initial thought must be to help the first defender.

As a general rule, the second defender will be goal side of both the ball and of the first defender and also be closer to the middle of the field than either (there are many exceptions to this second part such as when an overlapping runner comes through).  The second defender will also try to be between the player with the ball and the player the second defender is marking although there are also times when being goal side of the player with the ball might be more important than being between the player with the ball and the player they are supposed to be marking.

The most important thing to remember to be a successful second defender is that you ARE the second defender.  This might not make much sense but taking on the role of the second defender is pretty easy PROVIDED you know when to do it.  If you are the closest (or one of the closest) defenders to first defender and can assume that role, you should consider doing so immediately.  Once you get into position, or even while trying to get into position, let the first defender know she has support which can change her decision making process.

A good second defender is one who knows when to become one, knows when to communicate it and then is patient enough to provide the proper coverage without over committing which will allow the ball to be played too easily to the player the second defender is responsible for marking.

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Have a great day!

Lawrence