Defense Soccer Training

The defenders on a soccer team are positioned near their team's goal, in the back third of their team's side. There can be two, three or four defenders, depending on the coach's chosen position layout. The most common distribution is four defenders--a sweeper, a stopper, a right defender and a left defender.

  1. Field Layout

    • There are 11 players per team on the field during a soccer game. While the goalkeeper is always in the goal, coaches often play with their on-field lineup, choosing layouts of four-two-four (four offenders, two midfielders, and four defenders) or three-three-four (three offenders, three midfielders and four defenders). The coach's lineup often depends on the strengths of the players, and on the strengths of the opposing team.

    Positions

    • The sweeper plays the furthest back, and is the last line of defense before the goalkeeper. The sweeper is responsible for stealing the ball from the attacking forward, blocking the shot, and strategically placing himself in the passing lanes. The right and left defenders are also responsible for watching and guarding passing lanes, and for preventing dangerous ball-crosses that can set up attacking strikers for shots on goal. The stopper plays the furthest forward, right behind the midfield, and is often a leader on the field. The stopper and sweeper both have central views of the formation of the opposing team, and can often be heard shouting out directions to teammates, according to the website Soccer Training Guide.

    Defender Tips

    • According to the website Soccer Training Info, tips for good defending include: keeping the opposing player in front of you; standing the player up and not diving in; bending your knees; staying on your toes; having patience and waiting for a mistake to be made; listening to teammates; and playing with intensity.

    Drills

    • There are many soccer drills that focus on building good defense skills. Many effective drills involve simulated game situations with more attackers than defenders. In these drills defenders have to work together to cut off passing lanes, since they are outnumbered. During these drills, coaches should critique how the players move, whether or not they stay on their toes, if they are patient, and if they communicate well. Practicing general ball-handling skills will help players in every position. Practice juggling with a circle of teammates will help build communication while it builds ball skill. Heading drills are also helpful, as many defenders are confronted with high-flying crossover passes. Soccer Training Guide suggests setting up a volleyball net with players on either side heading the ball to each other over the net. This drill teaches timing and accuracy.

    Conditioning

    • Conditioning is a critical component of every position on the soccer field. Fast footwork and stamina are crucial for defenders who are asked to change position quickly, sprint periodically, and chase down offenders that slip past them. Timed drills involving dribbling through cones can help with speed. Turning this dribbling drill into a relay race with small teams can help with conditioning as well. Every soccer practice should involve sprinting and distance running, according to the website Elite Soccer Conditioning.