Defending Responsibilities

Outside Back Responsibilities- These players are responsible fas marking backs and must be in good shape, physical players with good 1 v. 1 skills. The left back marks the right forward; while the right back on left forward.

Sweeper Responsibilities - The sweeper position is one of the most important positions on the field and should be manned accordingly. The sweeper is everyone's second defender. A sweeper needs to be smart, fast, skilled and very comfortable with his / her ability. Because they are the last line of defense they very rarely make offensive type runs. Their job is to control the back. They are the leader of the three defenders and it is their job to back the other two up at all times. He/she must be able to see the play of the opposing offense before it develops and thus anticipate where the ball is going. The sweeper must be extremely vocal with his/her defense letting them know what he/she sees, if they are out of position, and if they must pull up for an offside trap. If the opposing team is coming down the right side of the field the sweeper needs to be ready and able to back up his right fullback if he / she gets beat. The sweeper needs to do it all. He / she must be able to clear the ball, send the ball to open space for the forwards (generally aiming for the corner flags), clear balls out, control the other defenders, stop breakaways from happening as well as work with the goalie in setting up defensive situations such as corner kicks, free kicks etc. The sweeper is an extremely important player.

Stopper Responsibilities- The Stopper takes first attacking mid player which may be a striker/forward or it could be a central attacking mid. Speed is not a must here but one thing that is a must the ability to play consistently. This player must do things the same way constantly and not be sporadic. The stopper has one responsibility stop attacks from happening. He / She is to tackle the ball away from the opposing player and move the ball to either the open space of his / her midfielders. The stopper is not a playmaker or a showboat. He / she is the simplest player on the field and the first line of defense. Win possession of the ball and get it to another player on your team. Although limited in his / her tasks, the stopper is still an extremely important player.

Wing Midfielders- man-mark attacking wings the length of the field.