Norway assistant coach Brede Hangeland: why coaches must focus on defending detail as well as playing out from the back

Game | Skills | Brede Hangeland | 13.01.2022

Young defenders must find a better balance between learning how to play out from the back and the detail needed to defend effectively, says Norway assistant coach Brede Hangeland. Getty Images/BSR agency

Learning: 

-   The importance of coaching the details of defending

-   How the Norwegian men’s national team use a zonal defence

-   Low-block defending around the penalty area

Young defenders must find a better balance between learning how to play out from the back and the detail needed to defend effectively, says Norway assistant coach and ex-Fulham defender Brede Hangeland.

“If you are a centre back, the focus has been more about playing out from the back, taking the ball out and passing it through the lines, which is fine.

“But football is two things: attacking and defending. So, we find that we actually have to teach them quite a lot of detail on defending. When, in my club career, it was drilled in every day in training.”