WHY do we Defend?
27 Sep 2006

Defence comes into play when our team Does'nt have the ball.
·Who are the defenders? Lots of us think that the defenders are players who play in a defensive position but that is not true.
All the players on the pitch have an important defensive role to play.

oThe forwards have lots of defensive jobs to do. They must try to stop passes from the other teams defenders and goalkeeper. Defence in the opponents half of the field is really important, it puts pressure on the opposing team, and any tackle made in this area of the field can quickly become a scoring opportunity.

How the whole team should think about defending!
Get into position!- As soon as the ball is lost the whole team should be moving to get into your position. This is not a time to have a rest! This might mean tracking-back if you are near the ball, or getting goal-side of the ball if you are out of position, or looking for an opponent to mark.
A good team will defend as a unit and willput as many players as possible between the ball and their goal, this means the opposition have more players to beat to get near the goal.

More defensive tactics:
·Channelling: This is where the defender turns his body and attempts to make the attacker go towards the side line. The defender should, where possible, "channel" the attacker in possession toward the side line. Channeling is a good way to defend as it forces the attacker to move wide and away from the goal. To do this, the defender should turn his body so the attacker cannot easily get past him to the centre of the pitch.

·Defending at corners: Make sure that everyone is marked and that you are marking a player. It is important to 'jump with your player' as the ball comes over.

·Pressing/closing down: The aim of this defensive tactic is to prevent the opposition from having the ball for long periods of time. Whenever the opposing team has the ball, players should try to tackle them, forcing them to either pass or try and dribble past them. This stops the opposing team from having time to build attacks and makes them more likely to make mistakes if done properly.

Raffle Prizes
28 Sep 2006

As many of you will know we are running a raffle at match days for our home fixtures. We are requesting that the boys parents help run the tuck shop and the raffle and ask for your help. Or can you donate a raffle prize? Or know anyone who could? Please contact Michael 07852150360 if you can help.

How to play good football – the 3 P’s
16 Jan 2007

How to play good football – the 3 P’s

Passing- a team that passes the ball well usually has quality and confident players. Good passes mean that the player who receives the ball can easily control it and have time to look up and pick out a team mate. Good quality passing will create space in your opponents defence as they are pulled away from their positions trying to win the ball back and players can then use this space to create attacking chances. Players will often here coaches call out to play the easy ball this is passing the ball to a team mate who is unmarked and therefore least likely to lose possession. THERE IS NO HARM IN PASSIN THE BALL BACKWARDS as it means that another attack can be built. But one golden rule to remember is NEVER PASS A BALL ACROSS YOUR OWN GOAL (in 18 yard box)

Possession- A team that is able to keep possession from good passing are more likely to create chances and it frustrates opponents as they cant get hold of the ball and you begin to dictate the play. To keep possession players must move ‘off the ball’ and find space, and support the player with the ball this may be that you make a run behind the defenders (into the channel) or support the player from behind so that they can play an easy ball back and you keep possession. Teams get tired more quickly when they are constantly chasing after the ball trying to win back possession. Good teams such as Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool and Man Utd usually have a much higher percentage of possession than their opponents and the statistics suggest that they create more opportunities by doing so and therefore are more likely to score.

Pressure- when the team does lose possession it’s vital that you ‘press’ your opponent as quick as possible as it reduced there thinking time and creates mistakes. A team that presses their opponents usually regain possession more quickly. And lost of lower league teams have beaten better opponents when they have gone out onto the field and harassed there opponents giving them no time on the ball and breaking down any attacks before they can develop.

These 3 simple basic techniques allow teams to dominate games and create more chances. All 3 link in together and if understood by the whole unit makes the game a lot easier and very good to watch.