Playing Defence in Football: 4 Tips to Keep in Mind

The role of a defender might not be as glorified as, say, a striker or as gritty as the goalkeeper, their function will nonetheless be integral to the team’s victory. Despite lacking the technical finesses of other roles, defenders more than make it up for it with grit, quick thinking and the willingness to get down and dirty. Below are a few tips to remember in order to have a successful football defense.

1. Think on Your Feet

At most times, correctly predicting your opponent’s move can stop any offensive before they gain any ground. Learn what a striker will do first before they even think about it and you can quickly change the pace of the match. This will require you to take risks like making a pre-emptive sliding tackle but it will certainly pay if you predict their moves right.

Proper attach anticipation can even force an attacker to screen the ball and move away from you, thereby losing the opportunity to aim for the goal and strike. Good defenders can even pick up the opposing team’s habits and techniques within one glance. By quickly and creatively thinking on your feet, you can intercept any offensive move.

2. Be Aggressive

You should by now realize that football is not for the weak-hearted. Aggression and intimidation is a common element in defensive players as this makes the opponents think more about them and less of anything else going about the field. This is why defenders have to be big, strong and burly.

Constant aggression and intimidation can force the opposing team to rethink their strategies and lessen their chances of getting through your goal. However, keep in mind to aim your aggression at the ball and never at the player to avoid a red or yellow card.

3. Control the Space

Defensive players have the tasks of controlling the space. When the enemy is on the offensive, it is the task of a defender to contain them or slow down their advance to the goal. If you are the only defender and the striker is hurtling towards you, do your best to slow him or her down and lessen their chances of aiming at the goal. If your fellow defender is containing the striker nearby, you must go to where the ball is and help them prevent the striker from taking a shot.

4. Speed and Endurance is a Must

A properly played-out defense will act like an impenetrable wall, preventing all kinds of attacks and dictating the flow of the game. This means that you must be quick enough to assist your fellow defenders when a striker slips past through them and prevent the attacker from gaining any more advantage.

It is also important that you can endure all kinds of injuries at the field as they are aplenty. In your defense, you might sprain an ankle, slip on the dirt or get hit in the face and body but it is important that you hold the line for as long as possible. With a pretty strong defense, the opposing team’s chances of scoring a point are little to nil.

There is a book on Amazon which is very informative and useful to read if you want to learn more about playing in defence, so check that out here.