Q&A for How to Play Defense in Soccer

When you defend, it's more our mentality than skills. It's a position that requires a lot of courage. Good defenders will know when they need to step up and when to step back as well as when to press their opponent and when to hold off.

Only do this when you are completely sure you are going to move the ball without attacking the opponent.

Size does not matter. As a center back stay on your mark's back and press when the ball hits his foot from a pass. If the striker is bigger than you, give yourself some space and jockey him so he can't get past.

Yes! Maybe not a central defender, but either a right or left back. Look at Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Alves, Jordi Alba, DeAndre Yedlin, Phillip Lahm, and other small defenders who have made it in the best leagues in the world. Just keep practicing, work on sprinting drills to improve your speed.

Overplay them just a bit to their strong foot and fake that you're about to steal the ball, they'll usually switch and you'll get your chance.

Make a formation that presses against them and doesn't allow them to get past you, so that any other player can get the ball.

If you are an outside defender, then have your outside foot facing towards them and lead them toward your center back.

Mostly you will have the chance to score when there is a corner, but playing up the field might also get you some goals.

If you are old enough to head the ball, stay in the front of the attacker because you need to time your jump so that he/she doesn't get to the ball first. If you can't head the ball yet, then stay behind the attacker so you can challenge him to the ball.

If the player can get around you, try doing some sprinting drills to focus on running back to the forward.

An outside back has a more wing role that slides up and down the full field while an outside mid focuses more on advancing on the attack as an attacking winger and coming back to help jam the middle on defense. Everyone should be evenly skilled and physical to make a good team, however, I would say coaches look for faster wingbacks and more skillful wing mids, typically.