Defending the through ball

Football CoachCoach

Try defending deeper. High defensive lines are a nightmare against fast teams. Playing a sweeper also helps.

GiuseppeCoach, Italy

The high defensive line could be a solution as long as the team is short and aggressive. The two central defenders, in the case of 4-sided defense, must be ready to do well the elastic defense and escape when the opposing team sends the ball behind the line of defense. The midfield should systematically pressed on the carrier and close possible solutions offensive and narrow.

Football CoachCoach

Don't allow a team to break on you. Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Man U don't allow teams to break, foul early is their answer, yes not fairplay but the objective is to stop them scoring. If you dont have a oppertunity i tell my players just to stand still let the other team make their own mind up because if you make their mind up for them they arent thinking, so if it comes out from the keeper let the forward do the work and the rest just sits so the other team has to decide do i do this or that, invite pressure dont apply it and mistakes will be made. I think this is good for defending in general

Football CoachCoach

Key here is "Is there Pressure on the ball?"

If no pressure then defenders quickly drop towards their own goal to prevent the long ball for opponents fast strikers. And the forwards are vital here because its their role to put this pressure on the opponents GK if they have the ball or pressure the ball if with opposing defenders.

If there IS pressure then the last defenders can quickly push up so that any pressured pass will be intercepted or if this pass still goes over the top then you want your GK to be starting position at the 'D' so they can rush out to clear with this long pass.

The danger with having a sweeper is that you are inviting numerous 1v1 going towards your goal.

Kev