Q&A for How to Play Defense in Soccer

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How can I be a great soccer defender?

Bernat Franquesa
Licensed Soccer Coach & Head of Methodology at APFC
Bernat Franquesa is the Co-Founder and Head of Methodology at APFC (Albert Puig Football Concepts), a youth development program for players and coaches with headquarters in San Diego, California. APFC provides soccer training for youth and educational content and consulting services for coaches, academies, and clubs. At APFC, Bernat is responsible for co-developing and applying technical guidelines for player development programs. He has been coaching soccer in Catalunya and the US since he was 15 years old.

Bernat Franquesa

Licensed Soccer Coach & Head of Methodology at APFC

Expert Answer

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What are the qualities of a great defender?

Bernat Franquesa
Licensed Soccer Coach & Head of Methodology at APFC
Bernat Franquesa is the Co-Founder and Head of Methodology at APFC (Albert Puig Football Concepts), a youth development program for players and coaches with headquarters in San Diego, California. APFC provides soccer training for youth and educational content and consulting services for coaches, academies, and clubs. At APFC, Bernat is responsible for co-developing and applying technical guidelines for player development programs. He has been coaching soccer in Catalunya and the US since he was 15 years old.

Bernat Franquesa

Licensed Soccer Coach & Head of Methodology at APFC

Expert Answer

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.

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Question

When do I make a tackle in soccer at defend?

Community Answer

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

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Question

What if I'm not tall enough to play as a center back?

Community Answer

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.

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I am short. Do I have a chance to be a defender on a football team?

Dsreeves

Community Answer

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.

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How do I get the attacker on their weaker foot?

Community Answer

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.

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How do I make the attacking players under great pressure?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

How do I approach the offense?

Community Answer

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

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Question

How do I score goals in defense?

Wikihelper

Community Answer

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

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Question

If I’m marking a player, are there ever instances where I want to be in front of the player I’m marking? Or should I always be behind/ between the player I’m marking and the goal I’m defending?

Community Answer

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.

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If a player gets around me a lot, what can I work on and in a match, what do I do?

Community Answer

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

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Can you tell the difference between an outside back vs an outside midfielder? And who is the most physically strong and skill/dribbling player?

Community Answer

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.

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