[uniteo]

Okay, so in other sports the sentiment seems to be watch the man (i.e. look at their belly button) but I have always found that it benefits me more to watch the ball.

You don't get suckered by step-overs and feints, and you are better able to time a play on the ball because you know when it is away from the offensive player. Now you may not be as able to anticipate the movement of an attacker, but by knowing where the ball is you can disrupt moves by poking out the ball or putting yourself between the ball and the attacker.

Anyway, that's my view. What is yours and what do you coach?

[schmuckatelli]

Originally posted by uniteo
Okay, so in other sports the sentiment seems to be watch the man (i.e. look at their belly button) but I have always found that it benefits me more to watch the ball.

I coach U-14 boys select (travel) soccer, and while your poiint may have merit (after all, you won't be picking the man out of the net, will you?), an attacking player who gives away the ball becomes very dangerous. We try to coach our players to watch the game, not the ball.

If you don't believe me, look at two of the three goals scored against Washington Freedom in the Founder's Cup, and to a lesser extent, the one scored against DC United in last Sunday's league match. Granted, it was late in the game when form tends to fall off, but defenders were caught ball-watching and were in poor positions to stop attackers.

[uniteo]

Originally posted by schmuckatelli

We try to coach our players to watch the game, not the ball.

oh, absolutely


what I'm talking about is when you are the defender with a man in possession of the ball right in front of you. Not talking about the flow of play, I'm talking about that moment when it you vs. them and the offensive player is about to make a move on YOU.

You come up tight, pressure the ball, try to cut off passing/shooting lanes so the attacker has to either pass back or try to beat you one on one. Now what?

[FootyMundo]

In the situation you are discussing a player should always watch the ball for the very reasons you alluded to in your first post.

[cpwilson80]

In a 1v1, definitely watch the ball. As soon as the attacker distributes, though, watch the man.

[Jeff L]

You should always watch the ball. The man might run off and leave the ball for someone from behind to pick it up. Ot his body movement can "throw you off".
Not only that, it's only a goal against you if the ball, and not the man lands in the back of your net.

[schmuckatelli]

Originally posted by uniteo
You come up tight, pressure the ball, try to cut off passing/shooting lanes so the attacker has to either pass back or try to beat you one on one. Now what?

Ah, now I understand...
By all means, then, watch the ball. The idea is to close cautiously and wait for the "big move". If the attacker tries to wait the defender out, the defender's won because the ball has not advanced and the time he's used should have brought defensive cover to seal off the attack. If the attacking player goes for something, the defender reacts to the ball, which should smother the 1v1.

[boydreilly]

If you have to chose between the ball and the man, then the ball is what to watch. However, there is no reason a player can't watch both the ball and the player's feet. Obviously, you want to put less emphasis on the moves of the player with the ball because that player is going to try to do something to throw you off. However, the feet, many times, tell you what his next move may be.

[Jeff L]

In the 1 v. 1, you don't "get up tight". Too close and he will pass you. Holding off about a yard from him is about the correct distance. He will generally be looking towards your goal, and you have your back to it. If he makes a run for goal, you still have to turn around. That "yard off" is your recovering time to turn around yourself. Also you don't pressure the ball, you pressure the man. It's the player that will make the mistake, not the ball. In that way you try to get him to make the mistake and not you. If for example, he is left footed, then make him play going to his right, and vice versa.
Always try to force him away from the direct line to goal, out on to the wings for example, or better still, backwards. When moving in on the player, move at speed, and then slow over the last two yards, so he doesn't side step you, when you are travelling at spped. Also adopt a slighting crouching position, leading with one leg forward, so, should he go by you, you can "push off" to gain speed in the pursuit.

[thedefender23]

I'm a player and a defender. Watch the man's midsection and force him to the nearest sideline. NEVER force him to the middle which will give him a chance to shoot. Never watch the ball, that'll just get you juked .