Soccer Defender

What are Defenders in Soccer?

The defenders are a group of players responsible for guarding their team’s goal and preventing the opposing team from scoring. While it may not be as glamorous, defensive soccer is just as important to a team's success as offense.

Defender Responsibilities

The defender's jobs on the pitch will change depending on the location of the ball on the pitch and the defensive strategy being used. However, a defender's core jobs are to:

• Support the goalkeeper with stopping the ball from entering the net
• Intercept the ball from opposing players and regain possession
• Keep track of their defensive matchups and not allow players to receive passes in dangerous locations
• Perform tackles to take the ball back from opposing attackers

Defender Skills

Defenders do exactly what you think they would do, play defense. They play close to their team's own goal, attempting to thwart the opposition's attack. They typically play in a straight line parallel to the endline or form a diamond formation with a sweeper in the most backward position.

In order to stop the opposing team’s attack, defenders primarily need immense speed and physicality. This is because they need to be able to match the pace of opposing team members as they run down the field and must be strong enough to take the ball away from opponents.

Lastly, a defender should be coordinated so that they are capable of tackling an opponent at the right time. Slide tackles in particular are a popular way for defenders to take the ball away from their opponent.

Defender Types

There are quite a few variations on the defender playing position in soccer:

• Center Backs
• Outside Backs (Full Backs)
• Sweepers (Liberos)
• Wing Backs

Center Backs

Center backs play in the middle of the defensive line in soccer. They are responsible for defending the middle of the field, pressuring attackers, and clearing the ball out of the defensive end.

Outside Backs

Outside backs, also known as full backs, line up on either side of the defense in soccer. They are responsible for providing support for the wide midfielder ahead of them and for facing down offensive wingers that make it to their area of the pitch.

Sweepers

Sweepers, also known as liberos, are a subtype of center back that act as the last line of defense. They are responsible for sweeping back and forth in front of the goalkeeper and then stopping any shots or passes attempted near their area.

Wing Backs

Wing backs are a type of defender in soccer who play on the wings. They typically play a little further up than the rest of the defensive line. Wing backs also contribute to the offense a bit more than other defenders.

Defender Key Statistics

There are few important statistics that define a good defenders:

• Blocked Shots
• Tackles
• Interceptions

Blocked Shots

Blocked shots is a statistic that is recorded whenever a defender uses their body to deflect a shot away from the goal area. Blocking shots is a key stat for defenders because it shows how proficient they are in preventing shots on goal by getting in the way.

Tackles

A tackle is a statistic that is recorded whenever a player takes away the ball from an opposing player. A slide tackle is a popular form of tackle where the defender slides on the ground to knock the ball away from the attacking player. Tackles are a key stat for defenders because it shows how proficient they are in taking the ball away from attacking players.

Interceptions

Interceptions are a statistic that is recorded when a player breaks up a pass made by an opponent and gains possession themselves. If a defender has a high number of interceptions, it means they are proficient in reading the attacking player’s passes and movements.

Notable Defenders

• Antonio Rudiger
• Joao Cancelo
• Jules Kounde
• Kalidou Koulibaly
• Ruben Dias
• Sergio Ramos
• Thiago Silva
• Virgil van Dijk

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