Everybody Plays Defense

Every player on the field needs to master the art of defense, read plays, anticipate angles and know how to tackle. Your goal isn't win every ball, it's often simply to disrupt the formation of an attack. Prevent yourself from making an all-or-nothing attempt, especially one that ends with you on the ground. Be patient, focused and prowling for an opportunity to pounce.

On your end of the field

In the attackers end of the field, you can play for time, push them to the outside to In man-to-man situations it's often just as good to prevent an opportunity for an attacker to receive the ball through sustained, close coverage than it is to win the ball after he gets it.

Prevent yourself from making an all-or-nothing attempt. This is often where players get turnstiled. Be patient, focused and prowling for an opportunity to pounce.