Soccer-What is a "natural defender"?

[Anonymous]

My son played defender for 3 years and then moved to midfield. He sometimes goes back to defender when the team lacks its regular defenders, and he has sort of lost his ability to effectively play the position. He is too far forward at all times. There may be some degree of natural talent or predisposition involved, but there is also practice and training.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2 of my kids have been called “natural defenders” by their soccer coaches in u-littles and I think it fits them. What the coaches have said to me is that my kids are good listeners, and that the coaches know they’re always in position when they look for them. Maybe that’s part of being a good defender?

They are both big for their age, too- and one of them (the better one) doesn’t mind getting physical.

There is that quality of doggedness- like little guard dogs. They relish getting that ball out of the goal area. I wouldn’t say either of them are very fast- so the idea that slower bigger kids are defenders (mentioned above) might be right, too.

That is what Ulittle coaches look for, but by U13 and above the defender attributes change. Speed is a requirement. They are faster than midfielders. They have to out pace the wings and strikers.

That's a bit of a myth. Defenders don't have to be physically faster than the strikers though it doesn't hurt. They just have to be smarter and better positioned or mentally quicker so they get to where they need to be before the striker.

But if they are caught out of position once they are screwed (or evan needed elsewhere). My DS has been caught a few times playing up too far ( still very young) but he can outrun any of the strikers or wings and literally beats them to the ball every time. I don't see how you can be slow unless stay in that one spot. Seems you are missing a lot of other aspects of the game or ability to help out your teammates? Though this is probably less of an issue for older kids who play their positions better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2 of my kids have been called “natural defenders” by their soccer coaches in u-littles and I think it fits them. What the coaches have said to me is that my kids are good listeners, and that the coaches know they’re always in position when they look for them. Maybe that’s part of being a good defender?

They are both big for their age, too- and one of them (the better one) doesn’t mind getting physical.

There is that quality of doggedness- like little guard dogs. They relish getting that ball out of the goal area. I wouldn’t say either of them are very fast- so the idea that slower bigger kids are defenders (mentioned above) might be right, too.

That is what Ulittle coaches look for, but by U13 and above the defender attributes change. Speed is a requirement. They are faster than midfielders. They have to out pace the wings and strikers.

That's a bit of a myth. Defenders don't have to be physically faster than the strikers though it doesn't hurt. They just have to be smarter and better positioned or mentally quicker so they get to where they need to be before the striker.

But if they are caught out of position once they are screwed (or evan needed elsewhere). My DS has been caught a few times playing up too far ( still very young) but he can outrun any of the strikers or wings and literally beats them to the ball every time. I don't see how you can be slow unless stay in that one spot. Seems you are missing a lot of other aspects of the game or ability to help out your teammates? Though this is probably less of an issue for older kids who play their positions better.

Nope. Recovery speed is a thing at every level. Not having it means any mistake can lead to a goal.

[Anonymous]

But if they are caught out of position once they are screwed (or evan needed elsewhere). My DS has been caught a few times playing up too far ( still very young) but he can outrun any of the strikers or wings and literally beats them to the ball every time. I don't see how you can be slow unless stay in that one spot. Seems you are missing a lot of other aspects of the game or ability to help out your teammates? Though this is probably less of an issue for older kids who play their positions better.

You should never be out of position, but the issue isn't so much that you can be slow as that you don't need to sustain speed over the same work rate as a kid playing the six (defensive midfielder) or other midfield and forward positions.

[Anonymous]

Natural defender was the question. Not well-trained defender or great defender. The adjective is “natural”. Aka “innate” or “born to defend”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Natural defender was the question. Not well-trained defender or great defender. The adjective is “natural”. Aka “innate” or “born to defend”.

Needing speed was the above debate and it IS natural. You're either born with it or you're not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Natural defender was the question. Not well-trained defender or great defender. The adjective is “natural”. Aka “innate” or “born to defend”.

Needing speed was the above debate and it IS natural. You're either born with it or you're not.

I feel the need. The need....for speed...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Natural defender was the question. Not well-trained defender or great defender. The adjective is “natural”. Aka “innate” or “born to defend”.

Needing speed was the above debate and it IS natural. You're either born with it or you're not.

Agreed, but many of the prior points and debates had strayed off course. Speed and quickness are key natural elements.

[Anonymous]

Natural defender was the question. Not well-trained defender or great defender. The adjective is “natural”. Aka “innate” or “born to defend”.



Needing speed was the above debate and it IS natural. You're either born with it or you're not.


Agreed, but many of the prior points and debates had strayed off course. Speed and quickness are key natural elements.

Only on DCUM would someone ruin the fun of this discussion with a comment like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Natural defender was the question. Not well-trained defender or great defender. The adjective is “natural”. Aka “innate” or “born to defend”.



Needing speed was the above debate and it IS natural. You're either born with it or you're not.


Agreed, but many of the prior points and debates had strayed off course. Speed and quickness are key natural elements.

Only on DCUM would someone ruin the fun of this discussion with a comment like this.

Just a comment. No need to feel like your fun was ruined.

[Anonymous]

to the Mr./Ms. Dictionary poster -

what is your point? Do you think "natural defenders" have to be fast? or big? I am actually curious.

[Anonymous]

The number one thing a natural defender needs to have is grit.

[Anonymous]

Yeah - not afraid to get hurt/not a crier/needing a lot of hand-holding.

[Anonymous]

The number one thing a natural defender needs to have is grit.

Yeah, but that alone is not sufficient. A lot of our forward players have grit, but not discipline. I think a natural defender needs both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:to the Mr./Ms. Dictionary poster -

what is your point? Do you think "natural defenders" have to be fast? or big? I am actually curious.

Quickness, toughness (aka grit, aka heart), speed on the outside backs, and length if in the middle, and finally a touch of meanness to strike some fear into opposing forwards. Those things are largely innate. If a kid has these tools to begin with, then give them a good coach to teach positioning and footwork and composure with the ball (cuz they can’t just defend) and you’re kid will have a spot on any team, particularly because so many kids (and their parents) want to play mid or up top.