How to Play Defense in Soccer

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Are you being scored on too often? Here are tips for how to play defense1-on-1 against an opponent.

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Moving. Part about defending is moving with the ball. In this article you will seethat it says watch the ball. Don't do that apart about defense is watching the

forwards on the other team. You can't have anyone get the open slip on you. Once theballs over your head he's gone. Always keep your eyes on those forwards.

Talk. You need to as a team always know who is marking who and communicate.Communication is especially important if you are a main defensive role, like centre

back or goalkeeper. If there is a new guy, don't let the other team have an advantageover you.

Stay with your opponent. Don't try to take the ball from the carrier.

Move the line. If the ball is on their side move up to half to draw them offsides. Butdon't go past half as there are no offsides before the half. Again, communication

and practice are vital to be able to play a high line. If you attempt to play a high line andyou haven't practiced it, it will probably end in disaster.

When attempting to do sliding tackles, proceed with caution; if you miss, youwill leave your defense open. In addition, it is very common for a slide tackle to

get someone a yellow card.

When coming to your opponent make sure that you are ready to stop the ballfrom any direction. For example: You are in front of your opponent - he sends the

ball left, intercept it.

Be careful as opponents may try to pass the ball between your legs if openor over your head so make sure you are ready from all the directions. A way

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Steps

How to Play Defense in Soccer - 25 Easy Steps - wikiHow http://www.wikihow.com/Play-Defense-in-Soccer

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to eliminate the pass between your legs and be ready to sprint back if the ball goes overyour head is by standing with your legs staggered, in an athletic stance with your kneesbent.

Be ready to send the second foot. For example: You are in front of an opponent,and you think he is going to pass left, however when he moved you took your foot

to the left but he passed right; you must be ready to use the second foot.

When passed by an opponent always continue defending; there are otherdefenders, and your laziness can lead to a goal being scored.

Be fast. If someone tries to pass to your opponent, get to the ball first and lookout for passes that you can intercept.

Prevent goal access:If your opponent receives the ball, don't let him turn his body toward the goal.Block. If the opponent has the ball and is facing the goal, don't give him or herroom to shoot. Stay within a couple feet. If he or she shoots, be prepared to divein and block it, whether it be with foot or chest.If your opponent moves, move with him or her. Stay on your toes. If you mustgive your opponent room, "herd" him or her towards the sideline or onto theirweaker foot..Don't let your opponent get past you. Stay on your toes and be ready to sprint atany time. Again, assume an athletic stance.

Never try to reach in and stab or swipe for the ball. Your opponent willdribble right past you if you do. Just stay close and wait.

Use your team support. If you have a teammate behind you (supporting you),you can look to try to take the ball from your opponent. If not, don't try.

"Guessing" your opponent's next move is good but what's better is to"Know" the various moves available for your opponent and be ready to

prevent him/her from using any of those.

Be aggressive and intimidating within the legal limits. Make your opponentthink about you, not what else is going on around the field.

Watch your opponent from the sidelines and study his or her 1-on-1moves and habits.

Contain as best as you can. If there aren't a lot of defenders in your half of thefield, contain your opponent, slowing him or her down and making time for help

to arrive. If there are plenty of defenders in your half of the field, you can be a little more


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assertive.

Know the speed and abilities of your opposing team. Know how theycompare to yours, and take risks accordingly.

Occasionally look around and be aware of other players around the field.Try to anticipate where your opponent is going to pass.

Use deception. Deception is as powerful as speed. If your opponent thinksyou're passive, you can surprise him or her.

Never watch your opponent's feet. Watch the ball.

Stay goal-side. That means stay in between your player and the goal.

Wait until the player makes a mistake, then attack.

If your player gets by you and is one on one with the goalie, stay inpursuit in case they make a mistake, just being there will put pressure on

them. Think before fouling them. Understand that if you do take down your opponent,most of the time this will result in a yellow card. With a few tackles (mainly the ones thatdeny the other player a chance to score) you will be ejected from the game with a redcard. Red cards tend to include multiple game suspensions in many leagues, so beforeyou foul the player from behind, remember what the consequences are! In addition,taking down and potentially injuring a player who has beaten you fairly is not good form.

Always think one move ahead of everyone else.

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Try to pass to someone who is free,or dribble through the space.Soccer is a team sport. Always remember that.Don't keep your legs too far apart. A skilled player will easily put theball between your legsBlock the forwards with side of your body. You may push with pressure,but don't shove them or you could risk a foul - possibly a penalty kick!When blocking forwards try to force them towards the sidelines asoppose to across the goal posts.You don't have to take the ball away from your opponent, just stay infront of your opponent so that he or she can't shoot. When he or shemakes a mistake, that is when you take the ball.When you take the ball from your opponent, don't just kick the ballaway.When a midfielder is coming toward you don't back up, pursuit them.One on one: Angle them one way or the other. You'll be left flatfooted ifyou are facing them straightforward.Remember to stay low, knees bent, to be as agile as possible whenagainst an opposing player.Be aggressive. When you go in for a tackle, do it like you mean it. Don'tback down.Don't try to take all of the strikers out by yourself and work with yourteam. If you see a teammate defending by himself help him out.

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Remember to delay the offender if you have no support.Don't take a long time deciding where the ball should go.Sliding tackles can look awesome and will work in a lot of cases, butthey are the most dangerous thing to do. In a lot of youth leagues, amistimed slide tackling will result in an immediate foul. A sliding tacklewith the studs showing is illegal in most leagues. It is thereforeimportant to come around from the side attacking the ball with the topof the foot when doing a sliding tackle.Be very careful if you do get the ball; you don't want to tap the ball toohard or perform too many touches.

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Warnings


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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 305,322 times.

Categories: Soccer Defense and GoalkeepingIn other languages:Portugus: Jogar como Zagueiro no Futebol, Italiano: Difendere Quando Giochi aCalcio, Espaol: jugar como defensa en el ftbol, : , Deutsch: Sauber verteidigen beim Fuball

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How to Play Defense in Soccer