When playing as soccer defender your main task is to stop your opponents from getting into the 18 yard box. How you stop them doesn’t actually matter. However, you should avoid playing to tough as you may get punished by the referee with yellow and red cards. You should not either keep your eyes on the ball mainly, your focus should be primarily on your opponent.
The biggest mistake you can do as defender is to only keep your eyes on the ball. Have you ever noticed how professional player are reacting when they face an opponent 1 vs 1? They are not looking at the ball primarily, instead they try to figure out what their opponent will do and the best method for stopping him.
Keep in mind also that your task is to stop the defender from getting around you and not stopping the ball. The ball will always be faster than you but your opponent will not. Of course you are not supposed to use some unfair methods for stopping your opponents but giving him a little push to get him lose his balance is allowed.
Marking your opponents tightly is also crucial while playing as defender. The best way for doing that is to stand near him and make him realize that you are just behind. By doing this he will get much more difficult to receive the ball and do something useful with it (shooting, passing to a near standing teammate, dribbling etc).
As a defender you will also need to play aggressively and act fast. However, you need to analyze every situation closely and try to figure out the best solution for it. Practiced defenders will have easier to win a situation if they have faced it many times before than someone that is new to soccer.
As a defender you will not only be responsible for clearing the ball and stopping your opponent from getting into the 18 yard box. You will also need to start offensive attacks, find your forwards with long pass, and try to score during the corner kicks.
You will also need to have good physical abilities. Playing soccer will require big physical efforts from you. It is therefore important to live like a soccer defender. Living like a soccer defender includes eating right, sleeping well, resting properly and so on.
As a soccer defender you should always try to perform your best whether it is a practice or Cup Final. This will help you maintain your focus and develop your skills. You should never get satisfied just because you have played well. Try to analyze your game and find out what mistakes you have done. Note them down and try to correct them in your next game.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- A Guide to Individual Soccer Defending
- Soccer Drills - Teaching Young Soccer Players How to Defend
- Soccer: Line of Defense
- How to Coach Soccer Players to Handle Pressure
- Soccer Defense and Scholarships
- Developing A Soccer Philosophy That Fits Your Team
- A Small Introduction to Soccer
- Understanding The Game of Soccer
Soccer Betting Advice and How They Work?
By: Ed Sullivan | 07/01/2010If you are new to soccer betting online, you must have tried to learn more about the subject before actually trying to risk your money. There are many sites on the internet with catchy headlines that promise to reveal to you the methods that will help you earn a fortune overnight by betting in soccer. However, just visit any of these sites and you will be surprised. You will find out that many such sites do not provide you with any valuable information.
Sir Alex Ferguson to quit?
By: Christian Marker | 07/01/2010Regarded as one of the greatest managers ever in the game, Sir Alex Ferguson is the second longest serving manager in the proud history of Manchester United. The seasoned Glaswegian has been the manager of Manchester United for over 23 years, making them the most successful side in the history of British soccer.
Dream the 3D Soccer World Cup 2010
By: jennytharayil | 07/01/2010ESPN is launching the industrys first 3D television network. ESPN 3D is set to display at least 85 sporting events, all broadcasted live, during the first year of its operation. It will start on June 11th, broadcasting the first match for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which will pit South Africa vs Mexico.
Soccer Coaching Drills : Sure-Fire Tips To Soccer Conditioning
By: Andre Botelho | 06/01/2010Ever wondered what makes kids so enthusiastic about soccer coaching drills. They do not necessarily look at it like a game but a session full of excitement and energy. So it becomes a sort of challenge for a coach to make youth soccer drills so interesting that kids just cannot wait to get to the field.
Shopping For Prostar Football Kits: Highlighting Team Effort
By: Luke Wildman | 06/01/2010Prostar football kits are made for the entire team. Shopping for these items should be an effort exerted by the whole group. Here are some tips to consider when purchasing for football team uniforms from the company.
James Dodson Soccer Betting Masters - Soccer Betting Tips
By: Andrei Felix | 06/01/2010Soccer is one the most popular games in the world. Everyday, millions of people are tuning in to soccer matches happening in different parts of the world. The popularity of soccer has even made it as one of the most popular sporting events that people can place bets on. If you are interested in soccer betting, what you need is a guide like Soccer Betting Masters from James Dodson that will give you soccer betting tips that can make you win most of the time.
How To Bet On Sports Games - Soccer Betting Masters
By: Andrei Felix | 06/01/2010You might not be comfortable with gambling but if you often hear people talking about sports betting, it can be quite easy to become more and more interested in the topic. Sports betting offers attractive gains and you can fairly easily end up learning how to bet on sports games. There is really nothing wrong at participating in a wager, just as long as you place limits within yourself.
Soccer Betting Predictions - Soccer Betting Masters
By: Andrei Felix | 06/01/2010Have you always placed bets on soccer teams and ended up losing money most of the time? If you often find yourself in this kind of situation, what you need is access to reliable soccer betting predictions. People all have different ideas about the soccer predictions that they make and it is important that you are able to find reliable predictions so you will not have to lose money each time you make a bet on a soccer match.
Soccer Player Nutrition Tips
By: Mirsad Hasic | 24/04/2008 | SoccerSoccer player nutrition tips that you must know
Soccer Free Kick Guide
By: Mirsad Hasic | 24/04/2008 | SoccerLearn more about soccer free kick and get valuable tips on how to take advantage of it.
A Guide to Individual Soccer Defending
By: Mirsad Hasic | 22/04/2008 | SoccerIn this article we will take a look at important key points for becoming a good defender.
Seven Soccer Shooting Tips
By: Mirsad Hasic | 18/04/2008 | SoccerThis article provides you with valuable soccer shooting tips that will help you increase the skill of your shoot.
3 Special Soccer Moves That Will Help You Get Around Your Defenders
By: Mirsad Hasic | 18/04/2008 | SoccerThis article describes three special soccer moves that will help you get around your defenders easier. They will also help you get more credits from your teammates and the crowd.
Tips for Juggling a Soccer Ball
By: Mirsad Hasic | 18/04/2008 | SoccerWant to know how to improve your juggling skills in soccer? This article will tell you how.
Improving Your Perfomance on Your Soccer Practice
By: Mirsad Hasic | 18/04/2008 | SoccerAn article that gives you tips and advices on how to perform better on your soccer practice.