diff --git a/src/entities/player.js b/src/entities/player.js
index 7953ab2..a9ad4f2 100644
--- a/src/entities/player.js
+++ b/src/entities/player.js
@@ -221,7 +221,14 @@ class Player {
             // Only chase if this player is closest to the puck on their team
             this.chasePuck(puck);
         } else if (puckOwner && puckOwner.team !== this.team) {
-            if (distanceToPuck < 150 && Math.random() < 0.2) {
+            // Check if this player is the closest defender to the puck carrier
+            const isClosestDefender = this.isClosestDefenderToPuckCarrier(puckOwner, teammates);
+
+            if (isClosestDefender) {
+                // Closest defender aggressively targets the puck carrier
+                this.moveToPosition(puckOwner.position);
+                this.aiState.behavior = 'aggressive_pressure';
+            } else if (distanceToPuck < 150 && Math.random() < 0.2) {
                 this.checkPlayer(puckOwner);
             } else {
                 this.defendPosition(gameState, puckOwner);
@@ -587,6 +594,36 @@ class Player {
         return closestPlayer === this;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Checks if this player is the closest defender to the puck carrier
+     * @param {Object} puckCarrier - The player who has the puck
+     * @param {Array} teammates - Array of teammate player objects
+     * @returns {boolean} True if this player is closest to puck carrier on their team
+     */
+    isClosestDefenderToPuckCarrier(puckCarrier, teammates) {
+        // Skip goalies
+        if (this.role === 'G') return false;
+
+        const myDistance = this.position.distance(puckCarrier.position);
+
+        // Include self in the list to compare against (excluding goalies)
+        const allTeamPlayers = [this, ...teammates.filter(t => t.role !== 'G')];
+
+        // Find the closest player to the puck carrier
+        let closestDistance = Infinity;
+        let closestPlayer = null;
+
+        allTeamPlayers.forEach(player => {
+            const distance = player.position.distance(puckCarrier.position);
+            if (distance < closestDistance) {
+                closestDistance = distance;
+                closestPlayer = player;
+            }
+        });
+
+        return closestPlayer === this;
+    }
+
     /**
      * Evaluates whether player has a clear shooting angle to goal
      * Checks if opponents are blocking the direct path to goal
diff --git a/src/systems/ai-system.js b/src/systems/ai-system.js
index 0a09233..53e63d9 100644
--- a/src/systems/ai-system.js
+++ b/src/systems/ai-system.js
@@ -176,6 +176,9 @@ class AISystem {
         const distanceToPuck = player.position.distance(context.puckPosition);
         const isNearPuck = distanceToPuck < 100;
         const isClosestToPuck = context.closestPlayers[player.team] === player;
+        const isClosestDefender = context.puckOwner &&
+                                  context.puckOwner.team !== player.team &&
+                                  context.closestPlayers[player.team] === player;
 
         if (player.state.hasPuck) {
             player.aiState.behavior = 'puck_carrier';
@@ -183,6 +186,10 @@ class AISystem {
         } else if (context.puckOwner && context.puckOwner.team === player.team) {
             player.aiState.behavior = 'support';
             this.executeSupportBehavior(player, context);
+        } else if (isClosestDefender) {
+            // Closest defender directly targets the puck carrier
+            player.aiState.behavior = 'aggressive_pressure';
+            this.executeAggressivePressureBehavior(player, context);
         } else if (context.puckOwner && context.puckOwner.team !== player.team) {
             player.aiState.behavior = 'pressure';
             this.executePressureBehavior(player, context);
@@ -221,6 +228,14 @@ class AISystem {
         player.aiState.action = 'support';
     }
 
+    executeAggressivePressureBehavior(player, context) {
+        const opponent = context.puckOwner;
+
+        // Closest defender directly targets the puck carrier's position
+        player.targetPosition = opponent.position.copy();
+        player.aiState.action = 'aggressive_pressure';
+    }
+
     executePressureBehavior(player, context) {
         const opponent = context.puckOwner;
         const pressurePosition = this.calculatePressurePosition(player, opponent, context);