| Below are 4 lessons about soccer defense that I | | | | The result was that the Dutch keeper was screened |
| learned from the 2010 World Cup: | | | | from the ball and couldn't react in time to stop the goal. |
| 1. A Packed in Soccer Defense Gives Weaker | | | | An analogy would be when a team sets up a wall on |
| Teams a Better Chance. North Korea played tough | | | | a Free Kick and one kicker kicks the ball at one of his |
| against Brazil (2-1) using a Packed In Defense and | | | | teammates who turns aside or ducks at the last |
| Defending Deep so they didn't give up breakaways or | | | | second so the Keeper's view is blocked. |
| fast counterattacks. But in the next game they tried to | | | | 3. Soccer Defense Wins Championships. In 7 games, |
| play a more aggressive attacking style against | | | | Spain only gave up 2 goals. Spain's defenders were |
| Portugal and got killed 7-0. | | | | brave and body-blocked a lot of shots. |
| 2. Defenders Who Jump Out of the Way of a Shot | | | | 4. If You Push Up Slow Soccer Defenders Against |
| Help the Opponent -- Timid Soccer Defenders Cause | | | | Faster Attackers You Risk Giving Up Breakaways on |
| Goals and Brave Defenders Prevent Goals. Ideally, you | | | | Fast Counterattacks. For example, on Germany's |
| don't want to have any players on defense who are | | | | fourth goal against England, the German attacker blew |
| afraid of the ball. Ideally, you want every defender to | | | | by England's right side defender (Barry, a midfielder). I |
| be willing to body-block shots. On Uruguay's second | | | | don't know where the Fullback was - probably pushed |
| goal against Netherlands, rather than stepping in front | | | | up trying to score since they were behind 3-1. England |
| of the ball to block the shot, the Dutch defender turned | | | | might have been better off leaving a fast player deep |
| his back to avoid being hit and didn't block the shot. | | | | to play like a Sweeper to stop breakaways. |