IFA Defensive Terminology MasterClass

On Defense, whose primary job is to 'Press' by making hard, direct runs to force and limit an opponent's attacking options?

• 1st defender

• 2nd & 3rd defenders

• all other defenders

Give an example of what should happen for all other defenders when the 1st defender does their job by putting pressure on the opponent with the ball. Click the TWO best answers.

• 2nd and/or 3rd defenders off the ball have a better chance to win the 2nd ball

• all other defenders can cheat ball side to win a longer pass or clearance

• other defenders do not have to know where the other attackers are located

• the 2nd and 3rd defenders can watch the 1st defender press and win the ball

When the opponent has possession of the ball, what is the main purpose of a 'Zonal Press'?

• To confuse the opposing players

• To force the opponent to attack in one zone only

• To allow the opposing players more space

• To minimize space for the opponent and outnumber the opposing players

What is the best definition of 'Individual Dominance' on defense?

• Dribbling past an opponent with the ball in a 1v1 situation

• Standing over your opponent after you knock them down

• Having a winning mindset

• Putting a more athletic player in a favorable 1v1 matchup

On defense, whose responsibility is it to "Down-Press"?

• Line 1 (the #4 & #6)

• Line 2 (the #7, #8, & #11)

• Line 3 (the #9)

• any and all Lines where the press has been broken until possession is retained

What is the purpose of 'Counter-Press' on defense when we do not have the ball? Pick the best TWO answers.

• To wait for the opponent to make a mistake

• To avoid defending

• To focus on attacking only

• To win the ball back immediately when possession is lost

• To have "what if" mentality and anticipate how you can help win the ball back quickly

What should Line 1 (the #4 & #6) do in a 'Recover and Narrow In' situation when the opposing attacker has time and space with the ball while their head and eyes are up?

• Focus on winning the ball back immediately

• Stay marked up on the girl you are defending and in the same position and wait for the opponent to make a move

• Move forward and leave the space behind open for an offside trap

• Drop off to protect the space behind and narrow in to disallow a penetrating pass

• Run straight to the ball and try to stop the dribble

How does the 'Make Contact' rule in defending help keep the other team from scoring? Choose the TWO best answers.

• It can distract the movement and the mind of the attacker from attacking the ball

• it keeps you safe from injuring yourself or your opponent

• so you can improve in your individual dominance

• It helps to remind yourself of your defensive assignment so you can make a play on the ball before the opponent

• When you foul or touch your opponent off the ball, the ref is less likely to see it

When you try the 'Make Contact' defensive technique, what two things or visual cues are important for the defending player to see or look at?

• the ball and position of the goalkeeper

• the ball and the opposing player you are defending

• the opposing player you are defending and your coach

• the opposing player you are defending and the position of the goalkeeper

• the space the opponent wants to run into and the position of the opposing player you are defending

What is the main reason for having a Line 1 player (the #4 & #6) in the 'Near Zone' or zone closest to a wide ball?

• To deny all entry for services into the box

• so you can practice your zonal marking and defense skills

• To allow the opponent to make services into the box

• To avoid defending

• to intimidate the opponent