Phases of Defense Play
Phase 1. Deny Attackers Opportunity
"Without the ball, Space equals Comfort".
Eliminate an attackers comfort and that of his teammates by keeping them and you mindful of your presence. The means essentially following around the player, baby-sitting him so to speak, in order to make sure he can't get into any trouble. That is, he should be able to wander unaccompanied from place to place around your defensive backfield looking for an opportunity to do damage.
Your goal in this phase of the game is to get into the head of the attacker you are covering, and just as importantly, the head of his teammate with the ball. If he sees you within arms length of an opponent, it will either prevent his teammate from sending the ball your way, or will force them to play it outside to an inopportune space.
Phase 2. - Anticipate Their Options and Deny Angles
At this point it's clear the ball is moving in your direction, your assigned attacker does not yet have the ball but he's clearly in play as an option. Here you must put yourself in the mind of the attacker in possession, and determine what his most likely option will be in regards to your assign area and attacker(s).
Your goal is to take away direct passes to your assigned defender by subtly, or not-so-subtly, finding the right moment to put yourself between an attacker looking to receive a pass and the player in possession assessing his options.
You want to be careful not to give the attacker you are defending the goal side, but you want to place yourself in a position where you can anticipate a move, and aggressively attack and destroy whatever is delivered your way.
Phase 3. Apply Pressure
At this point, your assigned attacker was open, eyed up by a teammate in possession and delivered a pass. He had enough space to receive it, yet his or her back is still turned to you possible with their head down to ensure control. In any case, they don't have complete awareness or visibility of their options.
This is the point where you want to push forward to deny them an opportunity to turn with the ball and see the field. Your goal is to use aggressive pressure to fluster his attack, drive him out of his comfort zone and make him push it backward. You can employ bumps in the back of the attacker to let them know you are there, and if possible to destroy their presumably good first touch, but don't overdo it to the point of getting a foul called.
It's here elite players will try to turn you, perhaps with a pull-back, a sharp Cruyf Turn, etc. It's imperative that you maintain visibility with the ball. Do not overplay one side or the other, and choose the right move.
Player pushes to the ball too far forward
Player has ball too close, and mishandles it.
Player is off balance
Player has no options.
Player is near the sideline with no room to dribble.
Phase 4. Minimize the Damage
By now, your assigned attacker has gotten open, been eyed up by a teammate, been delivered a pass, received the ball with enough space to turn with it, and is assessing his options with reasonable visibility.
At this point you are attempting to minimize the damage and at the very least take away their best option. You want to keep them away from the inside, you want them directed away from their goal, and only using their weak foot. Use your body position to overplay where he wants to go, force him to push the ball to his weak foot or risk losing it, but don't align your body so far or point it so far in overplaying his strong side that that you can't recover if he actually tries to beat you to it and succeed.
Remember, this isn't all or nothing defense. This is controlled exertion.
Phase 5. Transition
At one of the previous phases you might have obtained possession of the ball. In doing so, you must now consider yourself an Attacker. That is, you are concentrating on maintaining possession through wise choices and sound execution. As a defender with the ball in possession, you usually have the following choices (in order of preference):
Up field pass.
Open-field dribble up field.
Backward pass to a significantly open or unchallenged teammate.
A clearance up field.
A clearance out of bounds.
Out of bounce over your own end line.
Backwards dribble.
While it's clear that options 1 through 3 are preferred, any of 1 - 7 that either maintain possession and/or prevent a goal are valid.
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