To many novice American soccer coaches think that European Football and American Football have something in common. They think that defenders defend and the offense tries to score goals. This is a big mistake.

NOTHING drives me crazy as much as when I go to a Peters U-10 recreation soccer game and I see a team’s defenders waiting back at their eighteen yard line when everyone else on the entire field is in front of the other team’s goal. This is a bad tactic! The defenders should be up and “marking” the other team’s forwards. As a coach, if you keep your defenders back at your eighteen, you are conceding all the real estate between your eighteen and theirs. It’s a far better tactical idea to defend as early as possible and to keep the ball in the attacking end of the field. If your defenders can keep passing the ball up to the other team’s goal, you are much more likely to score than if you start to defend back at your eighteen.. If your defenders defend at or in front of the half way line, they can delay the other team’s attack so that your midfield has an opportunity to cycle back and participate in the defense.

It is said that in soccer, when you have possession of the ball, all eleven players are attacking and when the other team has possession of the ball, all eleven players are defending. (adjust for the number for your age group)

Another use for defenders, besides defending is as a supporting layer for your midfield. If one of your midfielders finds herself under too much pressure, she may need to “pass back” to one of your defenders. The entire team should work together both attacking and defending. At a higher level of soccer, it isn’t unusual for a defender to be one of the highest scoring players on the team. The big advantage a defender has in scoring, is that a defender is seldom “marked” and can slide into position for a shot on goal.

We will talk about “marking” some other time.