Wing Defender Wing defenders must be versatile enough to contain attacks along the wing, and then quickly collapse into the center of the defense to intercept crosses. Wing defenders are tenacious man-markers who don’t get over-aggressive or make costly mistakes. They play containment, get low to the ground, and cycle dribblers toward help or toward the sideline. Sweeper While the sweeper is technically part of the midfield, his role is vital to effective defense. The sweeper often marks the opponent’s toughest attacker, and he must be a willing tackler in the middle of the field. The sweeper works with the defensive unit, falling back into vulnerable areas of the field. He also looks up quickly for a counter-attack after gaining possession of the ball. Defenders have to be quick, agile, aggressive, and smart. They must be willing to use their bodies to deflect passes and shots, and have the toughness to tackle sturdy forwards. For these reasons, defenders are often physical, fast players who keep their bodies in top condition. Knowing how to play all positions on the soccer pitch give a player an extra edge over his or her opponents. Defending is one of the most important positions on the game.  

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