Donsduck wrote:
why do defenders back off so far nowadays had he stood up and made a tackle outside the box may well have stopped the goal rather than backing off and letting them shoot at will.
If you attempt the tackle outside the box cover may also arrive.
That doesn't sound right. You attempt a tackle early, and if it fails then they're clean through. Standing off should slow them down, so (1) cover can arrive, or (2) the defender can wait for til the attacker has least control over the ball. Plus, going in early when the attackers moving at speed is more likely to produce a foul and free kick.
Granted, standing off too much means they can carry on unchallenged and get the shot away, but diving in too early can arguably be worse. That's why modern defenders stand off so much.