How To Defend In Soccer

I’m about to give you a masterclass on how to defend in soccer more effectively.

If you put this information into action you will become a more complete player. Your coaches will start to put more trust in you. Your teammates will have more respect for you. And your opponents will hate playing against you.

Defending in soccer is extremely important but sadly most players overlook it. They think they will become so good at attacking that their inability to defend won’t matter. Sadly, these days are done.

The game is becoming more and more demanding. If you don’t have the ability to make tackles, win individuals battles, and defend for your team – you will be left behind. Learning how to defend in soccer will transform your game.

How To Defend In Soccer / Football

Do you want the best advice I can give you on how to defend in better in soccer?

Learn to LOVE defending!

Change your mindset towards defending. I know this sounds too ridiculously simple to work but it’s true. It made me a better player overnight and it’s created the same result for players I coach.

Most players are better at attacking than defending. Why? Because they enjoy it. They want to get on the ball. They like dribbling against defenders. They love scoring goals. This passion for attacking is what makes them better in that area.

What if you changed your mindset towards defending?

Instead of something you have to do. Defending is something you get to do! You get the opportunity to stick tackles, make interceptions, block shots, dominate your opponents, and help your team win games!

Once you change your perspective and defending becomes something you want to do. You start looking for opportunities to defend. You enjoy the moment and it changes the way you play.

Take Pride In Your Defending

Take pride in your defending!

Average players will sprint up the field and bust their ass to score a goal but then they’ll watch an opponent dribble past them and barely stick a foot out.

No one gets past you! Your opponents don’t get time on the ball around you! They don’t play forward. They don’t get shots! No one gets a free pass when you’re on the pitch.

It’s less about technique of defending and more about the mindset. Shift your perspective. Defending is something you want to do. Winners like to defend. Losers don’t take defending seriously. Which type of player are you?

Soccer Defending Tips & Advice

Effort makes a big difference when it comes to defending.

You can often get away with poor defensive technique if you just work hard.

It’s really hard to beat someone who never gives up. Players might dribble past you, beat you with a quick move, or win the ball off you from time to time.

But if you respond by chasing them down, closing with more intensity, and tracking back if you get beat. You will eventually come out on top.

Hard work can make up for lack of experience or understanding. If you get beat because your tackling technique wasn’t up to par, so be it. This is something you can improve over time. But never let someone beat you because you didn’t try hard enough.

How To Defend Better In Soccer

Most players play too timid. Instead of getting involved in the play, winning the ball, and being brave. They sit back and let the play pass them by. This has nothing to do with their technique ability but everything to do with their mindset.

Aggression is a mindset. It’s NOT a skill.

This is a good thing. This means that you can literally become more aggressive today. It’s a choice and one you need to make if you have ambitious of playing at a higher level, becoming a better defender, and a more reliable teammate.

What are you waiting for?
What are you scared of?

The player who goes into tackles with less aggression is the one who gets injured. The player who approaches the battle with less intensity is the one who loses.

Next time you step onto the pitch I want you to be an absolute animal. Who cares if someone gets past you because you came in TOO aggressively. This is something you can adjust over time. Shock yourself, your coach, and your teammates with this new mentality.

Play more aggressive! Get that ball! Make that tackle! Strike fear into your opponents. Just because you’ve played timid in that past, does not mean you need to in the future. From now on you have a new style of playing.

Aggressive. Intense. Hard working. With a love for defending.

How To Become A Better Defender In Soccer

Defending is a skill and ust like any skill it can be improved through study, practice, and self-analysis. When you start to look at defending as a technique you can identify areas to improve.

Just as you would make adjustments to your shooting technique to improve your accuracy and power. You can make adjustments to your defending to improve your closing, tackling, and shot blocking.

If you want to know how to get better at defending in soccer, study the best defenders in the world. Look at good defenders on your team. Analyze your own defending mistakes. This is all information you can use to improve.

It’s okay to make mistakes. Don’t get too frustrated with yourself in the beginning. Just don’t allow yourself to make the same mistakes repeatedly.

Tips On How To Defend In Soccer

In no time, you’ll know how to defend in soccer like a pro. Professional players always track their performance states and use them as guidance for improvement. You can do the same with your defending in practices and matches.

Everyone remembers how many goals they scored, assists the made, or shots they had. But what about their defensive statistics.

When you play start to think about all the different defensive stats you can start to accumulate during a match. It will give you motivation to improve in these areas.

For example (you can track these defensive stats):

• Tackles
• Interceptions
• Aerial battles
• Shots blocked
• Individual duels won
• Goal line clearances
• Defensive headers.

“As a defender, you can be many shapes and sizes. You can be short and fast. Or you can be tall and jump high. It doesn’t matter. The only necessity is that you are confident when you take the pitch – because every week there is a new challenge.” – Fabio Cannavaro

Best Way To Defend In Soccer

With the proper mindset around how to defend better in soccer, watch this video about defending technique and examples of things you can do during matches to be a better defender.

Watching this video will not make you a better defender unless you are willing to put these principles into consistent practice. Stop looking for the easy way out. Go into the hard work because that is the path to your progress.

Understand that knowledge is only power when it’s put into action. Make the necessary changes to your mindset, technique, training, and don’t expect yourself to be perfect overnight.

You don’t stop practicing your technical skills, so why do players expect to master your defending in one day. Be consistent and you will improve.

How To Defend In Soccer 1v1

Hopefully you found this tutorial about how to improve individual defending in soccer helpful.

You have the ability to improve all of your skills! To become faster, stronger, and mentally tougher. You will achieve great things in soccer and life.

But that’s only possible if you become the best version of yourself. Stumbling across this content is a great start! If you really want to take a strong step in the right direction…

The Next Step

Tired of feeling like you’re not making progress in your soccer skills? Do you want to have a more organized and effective training routine? Do you struggle with setting & achieving your goals?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, the Soccer Success Planner is perfect for you. It will help you stay motivated, focused, and on track towards achieving your goals. And it’s completely customizable to fit your unique needs!

Use the planner to set clear goals, track your progress, and stay accountable to yourself. With helpful prompts and exercises, you’ll be able to identify your strengths and weaknesses, plan your training sessions, and maximize your performance on the field.

Download your free copy now if you want to improve faster, get more wins, and achieve your goals this season (without practicing more) – Soccer Success Planner

Want The Best Results In Less Time?

Not getting better at soccer? Confused about how to train effectively? Maybe you’re worried that you won’t be properly prepared for your next big opportunity? Or you just want to standout and actually feel respected by your teammates, coaches, and friends?

Whatever struggles you’re going through, The Online Soccer Academy is the best solution to help you overcome obstacles and achieve goals. Thousands of players have already taken the next step and achieved incredible results in record time.

Transform your game in 90 days. Coaches and teammates will wonder how you improved so fast but only you will know. Limited spots available (More info here – Online Soccer Academy)

About The Author

I used to be a soccer player who struggled with self-confidence. I felt slow, weak, and unmotivated. My coaches didn’t pay much attention to me, my friends laughed at my lack of skills. At one point, I even became so discouraged that I quit the sport altogether.

Enough was enough. I decided to take control of my own development and set out on a journey to become a better soccer player. This path led me on an incredible journey of self-improvement.

I went on to win league and goal-scoring titles, earn awards, lift trophies, and received a college scholarship. I’ve even earned international caps for my country.

I started sharing my knowledge with others and teaching them how to become the best soccer players they could be. My YouTube channel grew to over 500,000 subscribers. I’ve coached for the top youth clubs & men’s teams in my city, and have my own soccer training company.

But enough about me, let’s focus on you.

If you’re looking to improve your skills, let’s take your soccer game to the next level. I want to help you make a noticeable change in style of play and overall performance on the field.

I’m passionate about helping players achieve their goals in soccer, and I’d love to be a part of your journey. I can help you reach your goals faster and achieve more in this sport, but success must be your own choice. If you’re ready to take the next step, here’s what I suggest you do:

1) Download the soccer success planner (FREE)

2) Apply to the online soccer academy (Limited Spots)

Coach Dylan
Progressive Soccer

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