When a player is covering, they are providing support to a team-mate who is engaging the opponent on the ball.

In these situations, the player closing down the opposition player with the ball is referred to as the first defender and their team-mate who is covering is known as the second defender.

From a covering position, the second defender can perform a number of roles to help their team prevent the opposition from progressing.

Why do we need to cover?

When a player is not required to engage the player on the ball, because a team-mate is already doing so, they may think that, instead, they should mark another player. The logic is that this player might receive the ball next.

In fact, the danger is still the player on the ball. The reason, of course, is that there is a possibility this player may be able to go past the defender who has closed them down and, if they do so, they are then in an advantageous situation.

Therefore, in this instance, the second defender should aim to put themselves in a position where they can close down the opponent should that player get past the first defender.

Their position will also allow them to close off space the attacking player might look to travel into or pass the ball through.

Additionally, the second defender may put themselves in a position where if the ball is passed to another opponent, they are best placed to close this player down and become the first defender.

How do we cover?

In order for a second defender to be able to provide cover for the first defender, they should be positioned ready to engage the player on the ball, should that player go past the first defender - while also being able to get across to another attacking player if the ball is passed in that direction.

Therefore, the key details that the players need to get right are the distance between them and the first defender, and the angle they are at.

Distance and angle

First of all, the second defender cannot get too close to the first defender. If they do, it provides the player on the ball with an opportunity to beat both defenders in the same movement.

Equally, if the two defenders are too far apart, it will leave the first defender isolated and create a 1v1 situation.

Being the correct distance away allows the second defender time to react to the attacker getting past the first defender, stepping across before they are able to get away. 

The angle between the first and second defender is just as important. It will create similar problems if not executed correctly.