TEACHING OF INDIVIDUAL DEFENCE The elements of individual defence can be used in all defence formations and should be emphasized in teaching. The defender’s skill is often neglected by coaches and fellow players. This often results in poor defensive playing. In fact defensive exercises are not attractive and they are more strenious than offensive exercises, but they must be practised in the course of training. Most frequent mistakes observed: µ improper defence posture (usually straight knee joints and a small distance between feet); µ rarely performed individual defence elements such as stealing and blocking the ball not tough enough and slowly initiated attack against a player with the ball. While teaching individual defence in a pre-game form, we should include exercises, where the drawing step and the other forms of moving in defence formation are used. THE GOALKEEPER 1. General Remarks A goalkeeper greatly influences the game and the final result. Playing as a goalkeeper requires a lot of physical and mental efforts. A goalkeeper must be very fit, bold and self-controlled. His actions are not only limited to defending the goal. The goalkeeper also takes part in a game, when he sparks the fast attacks, co-operates with defence and prevents the opposing team’s fast attacks. This variety of tasks call for a versatile preparation of the goalkeeper in: µ technical, µ tactical, µ physical conditioning. 2. The Goalkeeper’s Play The basic element of the goalkeeper’s play are: l posture l moving l using hands (upper balls) l using legs (lower balls) l using trunk l putting the ball down λ Posture and Moving A goalkeeper’s posture should provide instant movement. The goalkeeper stands with his feet apart and his knees slightly bent. The distance between his feet is approximately not less than 30 cm. That posture enables him to move rapidly onefooted sidewards (or obliquely front) to get a lower ball. The body weight should be placed equally on both feet (instep) with the body slightly bent forwards, head up, eyes kept on the ball. The arms should be bent at the elbow-joints, palms at the chest