Soccer Defense
The players on the backline are the last line of defense in front of the goalie. A poor backline can also make a goalkeeper look poor as well.
Playing good defense requires more than one on one defensive abilities. The backline must coordinate and be in sync with each other to secure a solid offside wall. It only takes one defensive player to break the straight line on the back to create an easy scoring opportunity for opponents. They must also have good abilities in the air to protect against crosses and balls played into the box from the air.
As a defense your primary duty is to stop the other team from scoring but sometimes offense is required. Frequently you will see center backs scoring on corner kicks, and fullbacks pushing up the sides to give width and offensive firepower.
The backline is made up of two primary positions-the center backs and the fullbacks. The center backs are typically the players that occupy the middle of the backline on defense. The fullbacks are located out wide. The job of the fullback is frequently more than just provide defensive support on the backline. You will see them pushing up the field to provide offensive width and support. This was just a very basic introduction. More complete and in depth knowledge can be found in the articles below.
Defending as a Back Four
The back four are critical in the defense of the goal. Learn about pressure and cover, offsides and more.
Soccer Defense Drills
Learn about different aspects of defense like pressure and cover for soccer. Includes diagram and descriptions.
The Soccer Defender
Read this fundamentals of soccer defense article to establish a basline of understanding. Learn about the centerback and fullback position and important attributes required to be successful at each.
Soccer Tackling-Slide Tackling, Poke Tackling, Block Tackling tips
Tackling is an important attribute for every outfield player on a team to possess. A team that wins tackles can create turnovers, snuff out opposition attacks and win the possession battle over the course of a game.