Skills Tips for Defending!

[swans16]

I used to play as a small forward and i wasn't kicking too many goals. One day our team was losing so bad that my coach asked me to go help out in defence, and as it turns out i did a pretty good job. So he told me that i am a permanent defender from now on.
The next match of being a defender, i was put onto their full-forward(190cm), he kicked 3 goals on me that day. I am 170cm BTW

Wondering if you have any tips for me, playing this new role?

 

[whichone]

Grow another 20cm.

 

[Big Kitty]

Probaly play off your opponent if he has that type of height on you. He would probaly be stronger than you as well and would outmark you most times in a physical contest. Zone off him and look to spoil in the air and this also gives you the opportunity to help out a team mate. If you want to stay close to your opponent always play in front!! But if your playing on someone that much taller than you every week you will struggle most weeks

 

[Richo is God]

I used to play as a small forward and i wasn't kicking too many goals. One day our team was losing so bad that my coach asked me to go help out in defence, and as it turns out i did a pretty good job. So he told me that i am a permanent defender from now on.
The next match of being a defender, i was put onto their full-forward(190cm), he kicked 3 goals on me that day. I am 170cm BTW

Wondering if you have any tips for me, playing this new role?

Try playing on someone smaller?

 

[TigerGlory]

Play in front of him. Particularly if hes a bit taller than you and the opposition are kicking it to him to mark.

If you continually make position directly in front of him, he'll crack the shits and he wont be able to lead straight up the ground. It also gives you the ability to be the man in front and you are likely to recieve a few frees if he plays from behind since he will no doubt push you in the back a few times.

Playing in front is the best way to start against a key forward. If you can get on top early you'll have a good day because big key forwards are extremley mentally fragile and they'll lose confidence very quickly.

Being a smaller bloke you are more likely to get looked after by the umpires in one on one contests as well.

 

[Last Line Hero]

First of all, remember that being successful as a key defender is always about size and strength. You look back through the annals of Australian Rules history and often the best defenders (Silvagni, Dench, Scarlett, Moore, Regan) are the ones who defend with their head rather than brawn. Players such as these could not rely on physically matching the dominating forwards of their respective era's, instead they based their success around subjective qualities such as speed, awareness, timing, positioning and cunning and all became arguably the greatest defenders of their time.

To begin with, the absolute non-negotiable when playing in defence is confidence. You cannot succeed as a backmen if you do not go onto the field believing that you can beat your direct opponent. It's fine to be nervous, everyone gets nervous before games, but, particularly at junior level, it can be very easy to slip into a habit of being overwhelmed by opposing full- forwards, who are usually the local studs, immense in stature and capable of kicking large sums of goals. Set yourself the challenge and ask to play on the best forward, establishing a consistent will and desire to fulfill such a role is the easiest way to overcome the jitters of being given a big task, a just have faith, you won't always be able to hold someone to no goals, so simply concentrate on implementing whetever tactics you can to make it as difficult as possible for your assignment to score. Keep your chin- up and your focus in check if they do happen to kick some early goals. You can still have a good game and do your job even if you give up 3-4 goals.

Defending is a thankless task, and unfortunatley, having a bad day isn't like being a forward or a midfielder. If a midfielder doesn't touch it, few notice. If a forward doesn't kick a goal, few notice. A bad day for a defender usually means a very noticeable towelling in the goals against catagory, which can be extremely depleting to your pride and embarrassing. You will no doubt want to dwell on every little thing that went wrong and what you should have done but didn't. Learn from your mistakes, however, just look at a bad day as a backmen as the same as playing anywhere else and move on... quickly. Every new week is a new opportunity to redeem yourself and be confident that you will.

If you are playing a bigger opponent, trying to "zone off" out in front of your man, especially if they are taller and stronger players and also, if you are not used to playing in defence, would not be recommended. I have always been a firm believer that the best way to defend is to make your physical presence known. This doesn't mean starting fights, it means letting your opponent know that his physical advantages won't sway you. Big forwards thrive on feeling like they have their opponents scared, and merely wanting to sag 5 meters off them all day is a poor option. Zoning off is effective if you are tall, can read the play unbelievably well and are a fantastic contested mark. Given your height, and lack of experience in defence this probably isn't the case. All that will happen by zoning off in front of your opponent is, you will allow your man free reign to lead where he likes, you'll lose him on the move trying to divide your attention between him and where the ball is, and you will leave you self very susceptible to long bomb inside 50 in which it will be almost impossble to retain solid position to defend in the air because you will be too slow to establish a physical presence in a one- on-one contest. In addition, because of this, the forward has a free look, run and jump at the ball.

My suggestion, play in front, yes, but not in the absolute literal sense. Defend them from their non- boundary side front shoulder (i.e: if the ball is coming down the left wing, from your perspective, stand in front on their right shoulder, and vise versa). By doing this, if they are going to lead you force them boundary side. Making their shot tougher if they do mark it, and they will naturally not be able to lead as effectively front on because you are on their front shoulder. When you establish this position, be on your toes and ready to move and keep your forearm locked in high across their arm and chest . This way you don't allow them an easy push- off when they want to lead. If they do try to push- off and/or slap your arm down use your body weight to try and push into them subtly and force their momenteum back. Just try and tangle them up as best as possible against the lead. If the ball is coming up the middle of the ground, stand more to their side, and keep your forearm in under their armpit, try get your forearm between their arm and their body and use that position to faulter their take- off. If need be use your free arm to push against their shoulder or stop them from trying to free their arm. Just don't hold on. And again, rest some of your weight on them to slow them down when they look to go. If the ball is ultimately kicked long and you find yourself in a one-on-one contest, because you are smaller, keep your arms and body active. They will try and establish strong position and hold you out. Use your arms and hands to stop them from getting a ahold of you and getting in a comfortable position, and you do find yourself getting pushed out try and quickly adjust your position. If you can, try and gain position with your forearm under their armpit again and use your free arm to push against their shoulder, this impedes one arm without holding on making it harder to mark.

Obviously you won't always be able to implement these tactics, because your forward will be able to get some seperation. But in terms of a starting position against the lead or if the ball is kicked long to a contest, when deep in defence these are some good basics to stick to and practise.

 

[carltonblue]

Play from behind. Dont punch the ball. Go to ground after marking contests. You will be in the forward line soon enough

 

[half_back_flank]

Nothing wrong with playing behind if your opponent is bigger than you, especially if it a substantial hight difference like you had.

If I have to play on someone stronger and taller than myself I'll be in front with an arm across incase he leads, but as soon as I see it's going to be popped on his head, I give myself a couple of Metres to have a jump at the ball and get a punch in. Never take your eye off the ball if you plan to do it this way, and reading the flight of the ball is essential.

Pretty risky, but there's no point going body on body if he is able to outbody you easily and has the reach on you.

 

[Butts_JZZ30]

First of all, remember that being successful as a key defender is always about size and strength. You look back through the annals of Australian Rules history and often the best defenders (Silvagni, Dench, Scarlett, Moore, Regan) are the ones who defend with their head rather than brawn. Players such as these could not rely on physically matching the dominating forwards of their respective era's, instead they based their success around subjective qualities such as speed, awareness, timing, positioning and cunning and all became arguably the greatest defenders of their time.

To begin with, the absolute non-negotiable when playing in defence is confidence. You cannot succeed as a backmen if you do not go onto the field believing that you can beat your direct opponent. It's fine to be nervous, everyone gets nervous before games, but, particularly at junior level, it can be very easy to slip into a habit of being overwhelmed by opposing full- forwards, who are usually the local studs, immense in stature and capable of kicking large sums of goals. Set yourself the challenge and ask to play on the best forward, establishing a consistent will and desire to fulfill such a role is the easiest way to overcome the jitters of being given a big task, a just have faith, you won't always be able to hold someone to no goals, so simply concentrate on implementing whetever tactics you can to make it as difficult as possible for your assignment to score. Keep your chin- up and your focus in check if they do happen to kick some early goals. You can still have a good game and do your job even if you give up 3-4 goals.

Defending is a thankless task, and unfortunatley, having a bad day isn't like being a forward or a midfielder. If a midfielder doesn't touch it, few notice. If a forward doesn't kick a goal, few notice. A bad day for a defender usually means a very noticeable towelling in the goals against catagory, which can be extremely depleting to your pride and embarrassing. You will no doubt want to dwell on every little thing that went wrong and what you should have done but didn't. Learn from your mistakes, however, just look at a bad day as a backmen as the same as playing anywhere else and move on... quickly. Every new week is a new opportunity to redeem yourself and be confident that you will.

If you are playing a bigger opponent, trying to "zone off" out in front of your man, especially if they are taller and stronger players and also, if you are not used to playing in defence, would not be recommended. I have always been a firm believer that the best way to defend is to make your physical presence known. This doesn't mean starting fights, it means letting your opponent know that his physical advantages won't sway you. Big forwards thrive on feeling like they have their opponents scared, and merely wanting to sag 5 meters off them all day is a poor option. Zoning off is effective if you are tall, can read the play unbelievably well and are a fantastic contested mark. Given your height, and lack of experience in defence this probably isn't the case. All that will happen by zoning off in front of your opponent is, you will allow your man free reign to lead where he likes, you'll lose him on the move trying to divide your attention between him and where the ball is, and you will leave you self very susceptible to long bomb inside 50 in which it will be almost impossble to retain solid position to defend in the air because you will be too slow to establish a physical presence in a one- on-one contest. In addition, because of this, the forward has a free look, run and jump at the ball.

My suggestion, play in front, yes, but not in the absolute literal sense. Defend them from their non- boundary side front shoulder (i.e: if the ball is coming down the left wing, from your perspective, stand in front on their right shoulder, and vise versa). By doing this, if they are going to lead you force them boundary side. Making their shot tougher if they do mark it, and they will naturally not be able to lead as effectively front on because you are on their front shoulder. When you establish this position, be on your toes and ready to move and keep your forearm locked in high across their arm and chest . This way you don't allow them an easy push- off when they want to lead. If they do try to push- off and/or slap your arm down use your body weight to try and push into them subtly and force their momenteum back. Just try and tangle them up as best as possible against the lead. If the ball is coming up the middle of the ground, stand more to their side, and keep your forearm in under their armpit, try get your forearm between their arm and their body and use that position to faulter their take- off. If need be use your free arm to push against their shoulder or stop them from trying to free their arm. Just don't hold on. And again, rest some of your weight on them to slow them down when they look to go. If the ball is ultimately kicked long and you find yourself in a one-on-one contest, because you are smaller, keep your arms and body active. They will try and establish strong position and hold you out. Use your arms and hands to stop them from getting a ahold of you and getting in a comfortable position, and you do find yourself getting pushed out try and quickly adjust your position. If you can, try and gain position with your forearm under their armpit again and use your free arm to push against their shoulder, this impedes one arm without holding on making it harder to mark.

Obviously you won't always be able to implement these tactics, because your forward will be able to get some seperation. But in terms of a starting position against the lead or if the ball is kicked long to a contest, when deep in defence these are some good basics to stick to and practise.

Fantastic advice!

Basically exactly what I would write. Really your coach should get his head checked if you are playing on someone 20cm taller than you. The arm lock is a great technique, particularly if you are on someone slightly quicker or the delivery is excellent but be smart about it. A good full back always tests the umpires patience with holding without making him make an obvious decision. You will be surprised what you can get away with at amateurs.

Always try and keep your arms free, spoiling is an art, learn to do it with both hands and never spoil back into the corridor.

 

[neng]

Agree with everything you said Last Line Hero. Is that you Harry Taylor?? haha

I play as a utility, can play anywhere bar ruck, as I take a good grab... but lately I have been thrown down back, I'm not a tall guy (178cm) but I have been playing on all sort of sizes, from resting midfielders to the boys. I found that as I am a young bloke playing in Seniors, I can't match many of the for strength, so I do zone off but only a couple of metres, and watch for the lead, and cut it off, very rarely do players try and lob the ball over your head.

Zoning off in front also allows you to get a head start if the ball hits the deck in front of you, and gives you time to remain composed when going for the ball on the deck.

Another tip I would like to share, is to run off your opponent. Make them accountable, there is nothing worse as a forward to let your opponent run off and create a goal. When the ball is in clean possession of your team mate, take off, run across to the opposite wing and try and create the switch, quite often you will find the ball in your hands.

If you are playing on a resting mid, they will often follow you, but that takes them out of the play if there is a turnover. If you are playing on a natural forward they, tend to not follow, which in this case you should scream to get the ball as you aren't manned up.

 

[neng]

Agree with everything you said Last Line Hero. Is that you Harry Taylor?? haha

I play as a utility, can play anywhere bar ruck, as I take a good grab... but lately I have been thrown down back, I'm not a tall guy (178cm) but I have been playing on all sort of sizes, from resting midfielders to the boys. I found that as I am a young bloke playing in Seniors, I can't match many of the for strength, so I do zone off but only a couple of metres, and watch for the lead, and cut it off, very rarely do players try and lob the ball over your head.

Zoning off in front also allows you to get a head start if the ball hits the deck in front of you, and gives you time to remain composed when going for the ball on the deck.

Another tip I would like to share, is to run off your opponent. Make them accountable, there is nothing worse as a forward to let your opponent run off and create a goal. When the ball is in clean possession of your team mate, take off, run across to the opposite wing and try and create the switch, quite often you will find the ball in your hands.

If you are playing on a resting mid, they will often follow you, but that takes them out of the play if there is a turnover. If you are playing on a natural forward they, tend to not follow, which in this case you should scream to get the ball as you aren't manned up.

 

[Ess_don]

I think it would also help if you take notice if your opponent is a left or right footer, as they would naturally swing/run/play on that side, or maybe prefer to lead to a particular side...

Dunno, prob shouldnt be giving out advice actually, Im the opposite to you, started out as a back pocket/playing on small forwards and got chucked into the forward line where I can put on f50 pressure/make decoy leads for our FF and more importantly dont let bags of goals through