Defensive Switch

DEFENSIVE SWITCH

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In soccer, once the first defender has properly set up to control the opponent with the ball, and the second defender is in position to provide support to the first defender, if the first defender is beaten a “defensive switch” may be required.  In a “simple” or “basic” defensive switch, when the first defender is beaten, the second defender calls for the switch and then moves to take on the ball carrier.  The first defender then sprints to cover the opponent originally being marked by the second defender, thus effectively exchanging positions.

The second defender should be positioned behind and to the inside of the field in relationship to the first defender.  (The second defender may also be referred to as the “support” defender or the “cover” defender.)  The second defender must also be properly goalside and just far enough back to ensure that they can react properly if the first defender is beaten in any given direction.  The location of the support defender closer to the middle of the field is intended to block the direct path to goal and influence the dribbler to go outside, toward the sideline, as their first option.

Upon arriving, the support defender must ensure that they maintain an appropriate distance from the first defender, to ensure that they do not overrun the play.  The stance and body position taken by the support defender is the same as that taken by a first defender. Since the first defender is facing away from the second defender, the second defender must announce their arrival.  This is usually done by saying something like, “support” or “you have help.”

It must be emphasized that, although the second defender may have a marking assignment, they must still be goalside, in a proper stance, and have taken a correct position to provide support in defense to the first defender in relationship to the opposing ball carrier.  See the graphic below showing the initial Basic Defensive Switch Positioning.

As the first defender on the ball delays, controls, or otherwise jockeys, the second defender must adjust their position accordingly in order to maintain their relative position.  When the second defender is comfortable that they are ready to take up defense of the ball carrier if the first defender is beaten, the second defender may announce to the first defender that it is okay to try to tackle.  This is usually done by saying something like, “take him” or “tackle.”

Defensive switches can then occur based on the subsequent action of the ball carrier.  Most defensive switches result in a crossing-pattern being run by the two defenders involved.  It is the second or support defender who initiates the runs or otherwise “goes first.”

Initial Instruction

Confirm that all players know and can properly perform the “One-on-One Defending” series, including Goal Side, Defensive Stance, and Individual Defending.  Go over the requirements of “Support in Defense” and the responsibilities of the second defender.  Demonstrate by placing a stationary attacker with a ball, a first defender in proper position and stance and a support defender in proper position and stance.  (It is usually best to start just inside the halfway line, closer to a sideline.)

Establish positioning by players with first basic movement:

Set up an attacker with the ball to dribble to a designated location.

Send in the first defender, coming from nearer to goal, to establish a proper location and stance, also then taking a stationary position relative to the attacker.

Send in the support defender, also coming from nearer to goal, to establish a proper location and stance, relative to the first defender, also then taking a stationary position.

Ensure that the stances and relative position of the second defender are correct.  Re-position as necessary.

Demonstrate that the second defender must not overrun the play.

Add relative movement:

Have the attacker move forward, then left, then right.  The first defender responds accordingly.

Demonstrate the relative movement required by the second defender, in response to the actions of both the attacker and the first defender, in order to maintain proper positioning and distance.

Go to half-speed and add oral communication:

Proper oral communication from the support defender to the first defender is critical.  This includes:

“Support,” or “You have support,” or “You have help,” or “Your help is here.”  Any of these tells the first defender that the support defender has arrived, is in a proper defensive position, and, if an unsuccessful challenge for the ball is made, the second defender has it covered.

“Jockey,” “Delay,” “Control,” or “Contain.”  As a supporting defender, any of these tells the first defender to manage the attacker by standing ground (or slowly backpedaling) and confining the opponent to a small space.  By not tackling and attempting to take the ball, thereby avoiding the possibility of being beaten, this buys time so that more defenders can return, reorganize, balance and cover.

“Challenge,” or “Take him (her) on,” or “Tackle.”  As a supporting defender, any of these tells the first defender that additional support in defense has arrived and that a solid attempt to take the ball away may be made. This generally comes shortly after a “Jockey” or “Contain” call.

Go to full-speed:

Use game conditions.

Practice Defensive Switches

Return to half-speed and include additional oral communication:

Have the ball carrier beat the first defender.  The first defender must allow this to happen.

Have the second defender call for and initiate the switch:

“Switch” or “Switch off.”   If the first defender is beaten, this call, made only by the second defender, tells the first defender that a defensive switch is being performed.

Have the first defender complete the switch and take on the second-defender’s position and/or marking assignment.

Run the following switching scenarios:

Basic Defensive Switch – Down the Sideline

If the first defender is beaten down the line, the second defender moves to take the ball carrier and the first defender switches to the inside.

Basic Defensive Switch – Inside from the Sideline

If the first defender is beaten to the inside of the field, the second defender moves to take the ball carrier and the first defender switches to the second defender’s mark – no matter where they go.

Alternative Defensive Switch (Midfield) – With or Without Ball

Usually as the result of an offensive switch being performed, with or without the ball, defenders may choose to trade their marks in order to avoid creating open space or to reduce the risk of collision.

Completing the Switch – Switching Back

As a result of a defensive switch, the two defenders involved have moved to cover opponents usually covered by the other defender, briefly taking the teammate’s defensive responsibilities.  After the immediate play is no longer active, usually these defenders return to their original marking assignments or zones. This return should be done as soon as practical.

Return to half-speed and add oral communication:

“Switch back” or “Return.”   This is the formal acknowledgement that a switch which has occurred is being undone and the players are returning to their normal positions.  This is usually called by the same player who called for the initial defensive switch.

Go to full-speed:

Use game conditions.

Soccer Coaching Tips:

• A defensive switch can also be performed without an opposing dribbler being involved. This occurs most often when an opponent surprisingly sprints past a defender and needs to be picked up.
• When making a defensive switch, first defenders need to run in a correct, efficient, direction to obtain a proper new position. Otherwise known as the “angle of recovery,” it is the most direct route run by the defender to re-establish themselves in their next appropriate location.
• If a defensive switch is being performed and the second defender did not have an immediate marking assignment, the original first defender should retreat to a proper second-defender, Individual-Support-in-Defense position.

© Copyright, John C. Harves