Here you can learn how to defend. This guide is good for Midfielders and defenders. You may think that that defending is just charging in and taking the ball. That may be okay for Rec ball but if you want to play at a high level players will get by you with ease. In this guide i will tell you the real way to defend.

Quick Defending Tips

Watch the ball not the persons feet or anything else don't get distracted.

Be on the balls of your feet. You need to be ready to go in any direction.

When you get beat sprint back if your team uses a delay tactic the person with the ball will be delayed giving you time to get back and double team the person with the ball.

Have patience.

Don't let the offensive player gain very much ground on you.

Delay

The first thing you want to do when you come upon someone is to close the gap on them immediately by sprinting close within a few feet of them,close but not close enough for them to easily evade you. Right away they might make an uneasy touch and if they do then immediately take it away. Other whys, you must delay them by getting to the side of them and forcing them to their weaker foot if you know what that is which you should by what side they play on and which foot they seem best at and use the most. Then get to the side them while keeping the distance you started out. If they are left footed then go to the left side and opposite for the other side. Force them to use their weaker foot. Also if they are near the sideline try to force them out by standing to the side away from the sideline. Now they will try to fake you out. Try not to move back very much. If the ball gets out of his control step in and take it. Fake like you are going to make a tackle. When these happens the person with the ball might make a bad touch or make a move and you will be ready. Also when you can try to force him into one of your teammates. Once they learn that they can't fake you out they will pass it off. Try to intercept the pass if it is in your reach. When you are delaying hopefully someone from your team will get back and steal the ball from them. The offensive player that you are defending against might try to beat you at the side that you are giving the most space to. If you see they are trying to step into the space and take the ball.

Slide Tackles

Just to let you know slide tackles should not be used very much. The only time you should use slide tackles are sometimes the front and the side. For it to not be considered a foul you must hit the ball first. Anyways, to slide tackle you must slide in with two feet without your feet pointed up which is a foul. Like i said before you must hit the ball first our it is a foul and usually at least a booking. Usually people use slide tackles if the person takes a touch far away from him. You should not do a slide tackle when they have close control over the ball. Slide tackles are good for certain situations but don't get slide tackle crazy. It is much easier just to take the ball. Often when you do a slide tackle the ball goes out of bounds or the person flicks it over you.

Marking Your Man

When someone is on the person with the ball you will need to make a man. Get goal-side of them which means don't let them get between you and the goal. Make sure to give them some space otherwise the offensive will just play a through ball to him. Don't give him very much though. Once he gets the ball bounce on him. Usually do not try to win it before it gets to him in less you are certain you can get it. Otherwise he can turn with the ball before you get there which will easily beat you. If your man starts running forward then run backwards. do not let him get ahead of you. On a corner make sure to gain leverage on him by pushing on him with your arm bent. You need to have your arm in front of you not to the side. This is not a foul. If they are running in right when they run in you need to get leverage on him.

Desperate Situations

Usually you need to focus on the man on the ball when you are a defender. [when you are not marking a man] but when it is a 1 on two situation try to cover the man as good as you can if the person with the ball is not close to goal. If he is then you just have to try to get a lucky tackle. If there is more then 2 men then try to get in the middle of them. You need to hold of before help arrives.

Defensive Heading

When you are heading defensively you need to head the ball high and as far away as you can. When you head the ball hit it with the top of your forehead and head it up. Winning headers of of punts and goal-kicks is vital so make sure you do. Make sure to leave a small gap between you and the attacker so you can win the header if it goes over him and run and use your momentum to win it. Make sure you time your jump and that you head the ball away from the pressure.
Sol Cambell teaches you how to head defensively and block crosses.

Fouling

Do not foul except for at very desperate situations. If you do do not make it a dirty foul. Also, help the guy up.[though must times he will refuse it] Only foul if it is at the beginning of a drive around midfield and the defense is outnumbered. Do not foul a lot. I would recommend not fouling at all into high level. Kids should never foul on purpose.


I will add more tips soon. Sorry if you find this guide confusing i will word it better soon. I hope you liked this guide. Sorry defenders for making it such a long time before a created this guide.