Never close down

Why would you say never close down opponent when doing your opposition instructions?

If there is a lvery large gap in ability between the player being closed down and the player closing him down. For example- Div 2 full back trying to close down C Ronaldo. Ronaldo would skip past the attempt with ease.

If there is a lvery large gap in ability between the player being closed down and the player closing him down. For example- Div 2 full back trying to close down C Ronaldo. Ronaldo would skip past the attempt with ease.

So you would be better standing off him and hoping he makes a mistake?

So you would be better standing off him and hoping he makes a mistake?

As a team yes, you would be better letting him come to you and putting men behind the ball. Slow him down to allow other teammates to join you and crowd him out/angle him away from the centre/force him to pass.

To prevent your side being skinned. You'd do that to sit back and take pressure. That and drop the defensive line.

The issue comes down to not having a player being beaten all ends up after diving into tackle after tackle. Everytime a player dives in and is beaten, that's one less player defending and a chance for the opposition to run at you with the ball.

It could also be to intercept passes rather than dive in for the ball. If a team can not tackle or do not mind possesion in less dangerous areas, there is no need to get in his face and make a challenge that could:

- Give away a freekick

- Result in your player getting skinned and taken out of the game

- Leave the opposition player with good options while your own players are pulled out of position.

You often see this sort of approach used against Arsenal in the Premier League as teams know that the players have the ability to beat multiple players and pass the ball around.