Defending against faster players

sligolad1

Looking for some advice on how to defend against a corner/wing forward who's faster than you.

Dirty Dingus McGee

Cathal Daly was a great corner back for Offaly in the 90's and 00's and although he wasn't very pacy (in my opinion) he was brilliant at staying in touch with his man and getting the hand in in so that when a ball was passed to the player he was marking he would often deflect the ball rather than his marker getting the ball.He didn't always beat his man to the ball but he was always right beside him putting pressure on him.

When I played in the forwards it was always annoying having somebody on your tail even if you could get out in front with more pace it became annoying when you'd turn around and you were under pressure as soon as you got the ball.

HatchetMan7

You have to try and read the game better than a quicker player (easier said than done). This means that you'll be making at least twice the number of runs out in front of your man 1-2 seconds before he makes his run. Obviously this means you'll need to be fairly fit. These runs out in front of your man are not only to try and win the ball first time but its also a way to discourage his teammates of kicking the ball between the two of ye. Obviously concentration needs to be 100% at all times. Even when the ball is gone wide at the opposite end your shoulder should be touching his shoulder making it feel very claustrophobic for the forward (which forwards hate).
The one thing i remember about marking really quick forwards is that they seem to be quicker with the ball than without which is probably the adrenaline rush when they get their hands on the ball so defending from behind is a bad idea. You must stand beside him to have any chance of this tactic to work.
If this doesn't work im afraid you'll have to resort to the auld dark arts but usually as a last resort.

Usernemises

HatchetMan7 wrote: »

You have to try and read the game better than a quicker player (easier said than done). This means that you'll be making at least twice the number of runs out in front of your man 1-2 seconds before he makes his run. Obviously this means you'll need to be very fit. These runs out in front of your man are not only to try and win the ball first time but its also a way to discourage his teammates of kicking the ball between the two of ye. Obviously concentration needs to be 100% at all times. Even when the ball is gone wide at the opposite end your shoulder should be touching his shoulder making it feel very claustrophobic for the forward (which forwards hate).
If this doesn't work im afraid you'll have to resort to the auld dark arts but usually as a last resort.

Very apt username for the last paragraph!


To answer the op's question, I play in the half forward line and it is an absolute pain in the arse having a defender stuck to ya the whole game, it can wear you down amd frustrate you if you dont get an inch, but no one will win every ball in so its a matter of keeping on your toes when the forward wins the ball, get in quick and hit hard forcing a spill or pass, then the blocking of his run after a lay off is most important for the team.