Part one addressed various warm-up exercises and a Fundamental Stage. Part two begins with a Focus Stage and progresses to a Technical/Tactical session.

Focus stage
Organization: Full field split into two halves with four sets of five-yard goals in each half. Eight players will be in each half of the field, with one ball in each half (see Diagram 4).

In this functional training game, each player has the primary responsibility of defending his or her own goal and player, but should also be concerned with providing cover for teammates.

Important coaching points in this stage include the necessity of applying pressure on the ball and the importance of being in a position both in angle and distance to assist fellow defenders if they are beaten by the attacker. The defender on the ball should apply pressure so that the attacker is a ball-watcher, and the other defenders should still be conscious of their player and the goal, but also in assisting in providing cover.

An easy way to emphasize the concept is referring to it as "squeezing centrally behind the ball." If a defender is beaten, he or she should always have a backup - a covering player in position to step up. If the ball is on the opposite side of the field, a defender can afford to move centrally behind his or her teammates. If the ball is played long across the field, the defender has time to adjust and apply pressure on the ball, while teammates make the adjustments to squeeze centrally behind him or her. In diagram 4 we see how, when play begins with player A, these types of collective defending strategies are invoked.

Technical/tactical training session
Organization: Move goals to penalty spot to have field of approximately 96 x 60 yards. There will be eight field players to a side in a 3-3-2 alignment, plus a goalkeeper (see Diagram 5).

The technical and tactical skills presented in the earlier stages of the workout are now incorporated into match-like conditions.

The object of the game is for a team to chip the ball to the opposing goalkeeper. A point is awarded if this is executed. The defensive team must apply pressure on the ball at all times to prevent an attacker from having the time to lift the ball towards goal or change the field. All principles of tackling, closing down and cover and balance are incorporated in the exercise.

This stage offers an opportunity for a coach to address players' tendencies to slide tackle. A slide tackle should be a last resort. With a slide tackle, the player is committing his or her entire body. A slide tackle should only be used if the defender knows he or she has support or the play is near a sideline or end line. If neither is the case and the attacker beats the tackle, he or she can attack without pressure. A slide tackle, although effective, should not be used in every tackling situation. It must be used with discretion.

Match conditions
Goals are moved back to the end line and a full scrimmage is played with no restrictions. Defensive principles are still emphasized during the scrimmage. Play should be stopped if teachable moments occur. Since the theme of the session is defense, if an individual defensive lapse occurs, the coach should address it and not write it off as a good play on the part of the attacker.

Conclusion
Individuals make up a collective defensive effort. An individual breakdown can, and in most cases, will, lead to a collective team breakdown. Some coaches may have the tendency to focus on offensive concepts and neglect the defense. This will catch up with the team in the long run.

Ample practice time should be spent on proper technical skills and tactical decisions with regard to tackling. Good, hard and clean block tackles are key to strong collective defending. Proper technique, along with good judgment on the timing of tackles will make a team a strong defensive unit. The time spent on tackling will be worthwhile for in the end, it will be the team that benefits.