However, if the striker has very little pace and consistently requires that the ball be played into his feet or chest area, the central defender can mark tight and so increase his chances of intercepting the ball or challenging for it knowing that he is unlikely to be exposed with a pass behind the defense.
Central defenders can also use individual tactics against the strikers. If a central defender learns, or already knows, that the striker tends to spin very late and quickly, then, when that striker attempts to run behind the defense to receive a pass, the center back will mark behind the striker at a distance (perhaps 2 to 3 yards) from which he will not be beaten to a ball passed behind him toward the goal. If the ball is played to the striker's feet, the center back can, of course, move as the pass is in transit to a tight marking position and attempt to intercept or prevent the striker from turning with the ball. However, if the striker has very little pace and consistently requires that the ball be played into his feet or chest area, the central defender can mark tight and so increase his chances of intercepting the ball or challenging for it knowing that he is unlikely to be exposed with a pass behind the defense.