Good defending is the cornerstone of every team that wins the majority of its games.
It certainly will take pressure off the attack having to score and it also tends to make it less difficult to win if a team isn't necessarily scoring goals only to catch up with the opponent.
It is also the coach's role to build a certain kind of pride in his players to enjoy shutting out the other team.
Therefore all players on the team should learn how to defend well including midfielders and forwards and not just defenders exclusively.
Players that defend well, with a disciplined, protection first mentality, can contribute a lot to a team and may even realize that they're playing more effectively than in the past because you dedicated time and effort to become great at this soccer skill.
Pressure/Delay immediate chase and pressure on the ball to slow down the attack until defense is regrouped and can win the ball back (pressure may be to drop off and stay deep) deny and delay forward progress by closing gaps for passing and scoring chances - keep play in front Cover/Support/Depth defend vital spaces by tracking dangerous runs and cutting off passing lanes provide cover/support to pressuring defender in case he is beaten provide communication to pressuring defender get numbers behind the ball Balance maintain defensive balance or shape by providing equal or greater number of defenders behind the ball while also positioning away from the ball to cover danger areas near the goal (cut off passing lanes and observe other attackers on the weak side; squeeze towards the ball from the sides) Concentration/Compactness squeeze the attack from back and front into a restricted area to make it easier to defend and regain possession of the ball (stay compact and keep spaces between defenders as small as possible) concentrate on danger areas between the ball and the goal to close off gaps (avoid being stretched wide - defenders must not to follow players to the outside until ball is moved into that area Composure/Control/Restraint show patience and discipline in defending soccer on and off the ball by maintaining proper defensive techniques and positioning wait for the attacker to make a mistake to be sure to win the ball Key Coaching Points for Individual and Team Attacking:

• players spread out as a team quickly and look to counter-attack when possession is achieved
• player on the ball plays wide early when possession is achieved
• maintain composure to keep possession and wait for opportunities to go forward
• create space - team in possession must spread out and create space in all directions to make the field bigger (and weaken) opponents' defense
• player on the ball should attempt to attack the space behind the defender by shooting, passing or dribbling past a defender and if he can't score he should look to pass to someone in a better position to score
• penetrate as deeply as possible with forward passes and control the ball forward wherever possible while keeping possession
• if you can penetrate forward, look to pass or dribble the ball sideways or backwards to maintain possession
• create space and take a supporting position giving the passer a good angle and clear path to pass the ball (good timing, angle and distance of support)
• good communication between the attackers (verbally & nonverbally)
• adjust supporting position to player on the ball (constant movement off the ball - constructive movement after each pass)
• include goalkeeper as supporting player to maintain possession and start the attack if necessary
• supporting players should attack the space behind the defense and look to unbalance
• finish attacks with shots at goal