leap to the defense

少し前の記事ですがJAPAN TODAYの記事からの引用です。leapは「跳ぶ, はねる」という意味ですが，leap to the defenseの形でto quickly defend someone（LDOCE）という意味があります。leap自体に「さっと動く」（『プログレッシブ英和中辞典』小学館）というという意味があるのはわかりますが，defenseとのcollocationも押さえておく必要があります。（Koyamamoto）

Senior Japanese players defend under-fire coach Aguirre
TOKYO — Japan’s senior players have leapt to the defense of their under-fire head coach Javier Aguirre, who again denied any involvement in a match-fixing case that continues to overshadow their Asian Cup preparations.
The Mexican was among 41 people named by Spain’s anti-corruption prosecutor in court this month following a probe into Real Zaragoza’s 2-1 win at Levante on the final day of the 2010-11 campaign. The victory ensured Zaragoza, coached by Aguirre, avoided relegation.
http://www.japantoday.com/category/sports/view/senior-japanese-players-defend-under-fire-coach-aguirre