We all make defense mistakes, ask Font

There are tactics in every sport. And that is for a reason. Even the most simple ones that we teach for beginners will work for top players. Sometimes the key is simplicity. No need to overcomplicate things. A lot of time top players make the same mistakes as a player that plays locally. 

As a reminder, Follow this steps:

1. Take a look at the video:
2. Read and think about the analysis.
3. Match the analysis and the video. Min 0:26

First of all, a beautiful transition. Both teams. I will highlight Barça’s transition. They achieved the goal of a defensive transition, avoiding the counter attack and preparing the positional defense as soon as possible. Saying this, Barça is doing a high defense.

So when Igualada hits the halfway line, the player with the ball stops. Touches his back to the wall, dancing the defender and waits for a second. Stopping in this way the transition and giving time to the team mates to position. Aiming pressure realise, Jan Curtiellas (Noia N5) sees his team mate at the opposite side, on their own side. Next to Noias’s penalty box to be more precise. This player is Xavier Aragones (Noia N26). Aragones does not have his defender that close as he is not on Barça’s side.

Curtiellas slowly cuts towards the other side, but always skating on the halfway line. This may sound like bullshit, but it is actually super important to keep spaces open and not overcrowding a space that should not be. Aragones gets the ball and starts skating, guess it please. Guess it. Yes, you  nail it. He skates next to the wall in a parallel trajectory. 

When Aragones gets to the ha;fway line, Curtiellas is putting a block on him. And here is the point when Aragones starts skating into the middle. Not before that. Also look at the distance in between Aragones and the block, around 1.5 metres. Look at Curtiellas. Curtiellas rolls in. He rolls into the opposite side Aragones is going.

Snap shot here please. Noia’s players. One at 3, next to the wall. At the same side Aragones is skating to. And the 4th one in 7. After this, we can understand the next. On the block, I don't know why, there is a poorly called swap in defense. Aragones’ defender  is still on him and Curtiellas’ defender is on Aragones too. Which means that Curtiellas is rolling in alone, while Aragones is dragging to the opposite side two defenders.

This defending mistake is the mistake that happens really often, and it also has an easy fix. Aragones manages to pass the ball to Curtiellas. He stops the ball in an advantageous position with no defender pressure. So he has the time to flick and score.

PD. Font if you have get to this post, I love you men. I know you are a great guy.

Grab a stick & keep skating! Or not