The defender is soccer’s workhorse, the last line of protection, primarily focused on stopping the opposition’s attackers from scoring. Their job above all is to keep clean sheets (shutouts). With that in mind, here are the 11 responsibilities of a defender.
- Must be goal side (meaning between them and the goal you are defending) of opponents whenever the other team has the ball. Whenever the ball is between the defender and the goal being defended, the defender needs to get back.
- The first defensive responsibility is to slow down the opponents’ attack. Secondary responsibilities include eliminating the opponents’ advantage of moving forward quickly and allowing the midfielders and forwards to help on defense. To accomplish these objectives, defenders must work to force the opponents and the ball to the outside of the field.
- Defenders must try not to let the ball get past them, not to let opponents get behind them (so the opponent is closer to the goal), and, most importantly, not to let an opponent with the ball get behind them (stop the ball or stop the player – get in between opponent and ball).
- If the defender does get beat, he/she needs to recover immediately and get back, either to get goal side of the opponent with the ball, or to a backup position of the goalkeeper or the defender who is now defending the opponent with the ball. If the goalkeeper calls for the ball, the defender needs to back up the goalkeeper.
- When other defenders are confronting the opponent with the ball, the first defender needs to both: (1) cut off passes from the opponent, and (2) prepare to back up the other defender and to again become the primary defender on the ball if the other defender is also beat.
- Defenders need to anticipate passes to opponents and step up to intercept passes. Do not allow opponents to turn. For example, when an opponent receives the ball and his/her back is still to the goal, don’t allow the opponent to turn to a position where they can see the goal and can shoot.
- Defenders need to control balls they receive and carry (dribble) them upfield.
- Clear and pass balls to midfielders and forwards (go to outside – not middle of field).
- Defenders should follow the ball upfield, staying one pass behind the midfielders, available for a back pass and in position to return a loose ball to the midfielders and forwards. (called “push up” or “move up”)
- On goal kicks, defenders should stay goal side of opponents, protecting against short kicks.
- Defenders need to take throw-ins in defensive half of the field (and perhaps into offensive half, depending on coach’s preference)
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