Sir Alex Ferguson once said, “Attacks win your games, defences win your titles”. That’s true when you think about it – every great side that has ever dominated any era of football has been underpinned by a brilliant defence.
That makes defending one of the most important skills which you can master in football. By becoming a first-class defender, you’ll be boosting both your chances of success in the game and of winning trophies.
Here are some of the areas that you can work on to become a great defender.
Positioning on the pitch
Once of the differences between the best defenders in the world and those below elite level is often positioning. When you watch a player like Paolo Maldini or Rio Ferdinand, they make defending look so easy because they are always in the right place at the right time, ready to pressure, make that block or tackle.
Being able to read the game and predict what is going to happen next means that a defender will know where the danger is coming from and where they need to move to.
It’s all about anticipation and the only way you can develop it and improve your ability to read the game is by watching, learning and listening. Look at how certain attacks are formed and you’ll be in a better position to second guess what is coming and stop dangerous situations from developing. The analysis on match of the day can be useful, interviews from top defenders, coaches or managers can also help your development as a player.
Communication with the team
It’s no coincidence that the best defenders are often the most successful captains as well. In order to be a leader, you need to demonstrate great communication skills and communication is vital to a defender. A great defender will be able to organise those around them by regularly sharing instructions, keeping the back line on the same page, listening to other teammates and working as a cohesive unit.
Take a look at John Terry, the reason that Chelsea had such a mean defence during his time at Stamford Bridge wasn’t just because they had him at centre back. It’s because he helped talk the rest of the defence through games, giving them useful information about where they should be, the potential threats coming and how they should move next with the ball. Constantly communicating will make you and those around you much better at your games. Just remember that you will need to be respectful of your surroundings and listen as well as talk.
Composure and attitude to the game
If you’re trying to repel wave after wave of opposition attack, then you need to be a composed figure. Great defenders don’t fold until pressure – they thrive under it and are comfortable on the ball. Composure mostly comes from concentration and confidence in yourself and your teammates. If you are fully concentrating on the task at hand, then you will be less likely to misjudge that header or slice a clearance straight to an opponent.
You’ll maintain concentration if you can maintain focus. The most focussed of players tend to be those who are confident in their abilities but who are also the fittest. Concentration and focus tend to wane as tiredness creeps in towards the end of games, so by being the fittest player that you can be, you’ll be lessening the chances of fatigue affecting your game.
Strengthen and the physical side of being a defender
Defenders have to be strong enough to repel even the most burly of opposition forwards. Whether it be winning the ball in the air or shielding it out of play, chances are that you’ll find opponents attempting to push you around or muscle you off the ball when playing in defence.
Working on your upper body strength will help you survive clashes with physical strikers, but you can also improve strength by improving your stance and the use of your arms. By adopting a broader stance with your feet firmly planted, you’ll be making yourself harder to push over. It’s all about being in tune with your body and using it intelligently, no matter what size you are.
Technical ability
In a day and age where more and more teams are trying to play out from the back, a defender’s technical ability has to be on a par with his team mates elsewhere on the pitch. That means having the skillset to make good passes and dribble out of defence when required.
There will obviously be times when clearing your lines and hoofing the ball up the pitch is a required course of action, but knowing when and where to use your technical skills and when to revert to something more agricultural is another attribute of a great defender – your decision making should always be spot on.
If you would like to improve your technical ability and get top professional coaching to become the best defender you can be, book a free trial at We Make Footballers today!
