Defender (association Football) - Centre-back

Centre-back

The job of the centre-back (also known as the centre-half, central defender, or stopper) is to stop opposing players, particularly the strikers, from scoring, and to bring the ball out from their penalty area. As their name suggests, they play in a central position.

The position was formerly referred to as centre-half, although the emphasis of the centre-half was more forward thinking in action. In the early part of the 20th century, when most teams employed the 2–3–5 formation, the two players at the back were called full-backs and the row of three players in front of them were called half-backs. As formations evolved, the central player in this trio, the centre-half, moved into a more defensive position on the field, taking the name of the position with him. The right and left players in the trio were called the right-half and left-half respectively.

In the modern game, most teams employ two centre-backs, stationed in front of the goalkeeper. There are two main defensive strategies used by centre-backs: the zonal defence, where each centre-back covers a specific area of the pitch; and man-to-man marking, where each centre-back has the job of covering a particular opposition player.

• Marking threats in their immediate area (zonal defending) or to mark a particular opposition player (man-marking).
• Making tackles on attacking players as the last line of defence against the opposition.
• Intercepting dangerous crosses, shots and through-passes that cause an immediate danger to the team.
• Defending opposition corners and to stay in the opposition team's penalty box for corners and set-pieces with headers.
• To form the tactical base of the team. Coaches either choose to field the "line" of defence deep or further upfield. The choice of defensive line has great tactical implications in the professional game. A deep defensive line is considered a more conservative approach; however, it also means that the midfielders are required to cover more ground in the game and risk conceding midfield territory to the opposition. A high defensive line allows teams to pin opposition teams into their own territory and apply pressure when chasing for a goal; however, it leaves the defending team vulnerable to counter-attacks by quick opposition players.
• Maintain the defensive posture. Due to the advent of the offside rule in the modern game, defenders and centre-backs in particular need to ensure that the defensive line is strictly enforced when opposition attacking players are nearby. A defender that strays slightly behind the defensive line, for example, can "play" an opposition player onside and inadvertently create a scoring opportunity.
• Playing a simple game. Due to their proximity to goal, centre-backs need to avoid over-elaboration and play short and simple passes to their colleagues upfield, as well as avoid playing passes square across the defence, where they are vulnerable to interception by an opposition player.

• Height, good heading and jumping ability to contest balls in the air.
• Strength, marking and tackling ability to deal with one-on-one threats.
• Bravery and aggression to rush out and deal with any unexpected goal threats.
• Ability to read the game as well as anticipate incoming threats. Centre-backs need to balance the need to deal with any imminent threat from the opposition and the need to maintain the defensive posture.
• Concentration. Centre-backs need to focus on the task at hand and get interceptions, last-ditch tackles and headers correctly every time. They also need to ensure that they get a sure footing on the ball when clearing it so as to play it away from danger.
• Passing. Under pressure, centre-backs may need to call on competent passing skills to move the ball out to midfielders.