by Alex Brown

Created on: October 28, 2010

If you ask anyone how to win a soccer game, they'll probably say that you need to score more goals than the other team. You never hear anybody say that the other team needs to get less goals than you. By thinking about it this way, you realize how important defense is. Some teams have a powerful offense, but still lose the game. How? Well, it doesn't matter if your team scores 99 goals if the other gets 100.

That being said, defense is a very important skill. It's more than just a position; it's a style of play. At one point in the game, goalies, midfielders and even strikers have to defend. If the ball is on the other teams half, the strikers and mids need to fight to win it back. Winning the ball in the opposing team's half can easily lead up to a quick goal. Even in midfield, it is important to have the ball because at any point one team can make a mistake and the other can capitalize on it and score.

The idea behind defense is to win the ball back. So how do you go about doing that? For starters, you need to be in the right position to defend. If you're a left side striker and the ball is in your 18 box, it's not your worry at this point. In the same sense, a defender shouldn't be up in the other team's half trying to steal the ball back. Make sure you're in front of the player, with your center of gravity low, your knees bent and your arms out for balance. You should be able to move side to side really easily. Approach the player quickly, then slow down about 10 yards away from them; you don't want to speed past them. Once you're on them, make them go to one side, preferably the outside. Angle your body so that your back is to your own goal and you're facing your opponent, who is hopefully going towards the outside of the field. When they're not in the midde, they're less dangerous. The idea behind all this is that they eventually tap the ball too far out of their own reach and you can charge them and come out with the ball. Sometimes, they don't mess up. In this case, you need to make sure they don't cut across to the middle and you should be fine.

People will get past you. It will happen and one point. When this happens, just bust your butt back and try to catch up with them. If you're fast and catch up, do not go for their ankles or try to trip them. This just results in a free kick/penalty kick and a yellow or red card for you. Instead, get a little in front of them and force yourself between them in the ball. You don't need to shove them or throw an elbow, just time it right and get a pass off before they can steal it back.

Of course, all of this is just the basics. Being a great defender means you need to know some more advanced techniques, and understand how to defend as a part of a team and just as a single person. Once you understand the mental side of defending, and sharpen you're physical qualities, you can be a truly amazing defender.

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