Soccer Defense Research Paper

Defense is often the least appreciated position in many sports. In soccer, it is antagonized as the ones who either lose the game or prevent a win from the opposing team. It is a position where one becomes a hero to some and a villain to others. In soccer, the importance of defense is the same as other positions. It is important for coaches to know positions, the formation, and successful teams that have utilize defense. The most common positions in defense include center-back, wing-back, sweeper, and full-back. Each of the player playing their position have the task to neutralize the opposing team strikers. The center backs are the defenders who most of the time go one on one with the strikers making sure the strikers do not get a clear shot at the goal net. In addition, the majority of center backs are tall and physically strong.
The coach has to decide when and how to change players during a game. For example, a coach may substitute in a forward for a defender towards the end of a game to fortify the defense and secure the win. Formations that focus on defense is the most commonly used in recent times the 4-4-2. This formation has four defender, four midfielders, and two forwards. This formation has been successful because the two midfielders playing on the wings can transition from attack to defense. This leaves the two center backs having personal marks on the forwards, making it difficult for the forwards to score a goal. In addition, another playing formation which focuses on defense is the 5-3-2. This formation adds an extra center back to help avoid the opposing team forwards to score more goals. This formation is primarily used by weaker teams. By using the 5-3-2, weaker teams focus on defense to prevent goals from the top tier clubs. In this formation the two full backs could also switch from defense and join in to aid the forwards when