14 tips for full back defenders to succeed in modern football, compiled here. A modern full back is a position that is now being used by many successful teams. The teams have been able to deliver with a modern full back Idea in place. We have teams like Liverpool, PSG, and more operate with modern full backs.
A modern full does not just defend but may also join the forwards to help the team get more scoring chances. Therefore, a modern full back should be able to move forward and overlap the strikers. To succeed in such, they should be hardworking, and have good training. I will take you through some of the tips to help you succeed as a modern full back. Before that, here are some of the things you need to know before using the modern full back role in the teams.
Things to consider before using the modern full back
Here are a few things you must know before using the modern full back role in the team.
1) Wingers and midfielders should be in a position to cover the full backs when they move forward to attack.
2) Modern full back needs proper training and hard work. 3) Only move forward when your team is in possession of the ball.
4) Your team should be able to get hold of the ball (possess) in order to give you time to move forward.
Positioning and awareness
This is also one of our 14 tips for full back defenders to succeed in the current football world. Positioning and awareness means that you should be at the right place at the right time. You should be able to defend and be in a position to attack.
Do go forward to attack when your opponents have possessed the ball and attacking your side. Instead, you should be helping the team in defending as you maintain your position. Moreover, when your team initiates an attack, you should also help them by opening on the side of your winger then deliver a cross.
One on one defending skills
As a full back, you are more likely to encounter one on one with the opponent winger. Try to predict your opponents move and don’t allow him/her to dribble past you.
You should also make use of stamina and slide tackles where necessary. You can also get the ball outside the pitch so that the team can start marking the opponents players during a throw in. It is absolutely one of the 14 tips for full back defenders to succeed in modern football.
Speed
This is one of the 14 tips for full back defenders to succeed in modern football. We have the likes of Achraf Hakimi who is good in running with the ball with pace. To be like one of the best full backs like Hakimi, you can train your self to run with speed with the ball closer to your feet.
You can train speed anywhere including the training ground, and more. Though not all great full backs have this weapon but it’s important to have it.
Strength
This is another important thing to have as a full back. Strength means the ability to play for long without getting tired. As a modern full back you’ll be always required to open up the field. In addition to that, you will be moving forward when your team has possessed the ball in order to reinforce on the teams attack
To do those roles you’ll require enough strength to sustain you throughout the match. You can gain strength through constant training. Vision This is also one important tip to be a great full back. You are required to be aware of your team, including where your team mates are positioned. This list of 14 tips for full back defenders to succeed in modern football wouldn’t be complete without including this point.
Vision
This is also one of the 14 tips for full back defenders to succeed in modern football. will help you in long balls and giving accurate passes and crosses to team mates. Master passing skills Passing goes hand in hand with vision and that’s why we have written them together in order.
Learn to pass the ball well, you can check from the diagrams below on how to pass the ball. Make sure to pass the ball closer to your team mate on his/her feet. Whatever that’ll do with the ball it’s up to them as long as you have done your part.
Practice dribbling skills
If you can try one complete dribble or two, you are good to Go. You must not dwell on this since you’ll also need to defend your goal and loosing the ball may bring problems to your team. If you can do one to two complete dribbles then you are good to go.
It is not a must that you make as many dribbles like top wingers and strikers. It is just important to know how to dribble since in some cases you’ll be required to do and help the team in attacking the opponents. We have some Legendary full backs like Marcelo, who was very good in dribbling. No doubt it’s one of the 14 tips for full back defenders to succeed in modern football.
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Be good in crossing
This is another important point to include in our 14 tips for full back defenders to succeed in modern football. Crossing the ball will mostly help you when you are at the opponent box. You will be required to make a good cross which may be headed by your striker.
Communicate with your winger
To be able to succeed as a full back, you should be able to coordinate well with your winger. A winger Will be able to supply you with a ball when you overly him/her with a run. You should also inform him when and where to drop the ball for you. Moreover, you can also ask your winger to cover you when you get forward. He/she can cover you and reinforce the defence since you may not be able to recover from the front very quickly during an instant attack. This point really deserves to be included in our 14 tips for full back defenders to succeed in modern football.
Time your tackles
This is also one important tip you must know as a modern full back defender. You should make sure that you tackle your opponent at the right time and always go for the ball. Avoid tackling from behind since you may get a yellow or even a red can and you’ll cost your team. You can try slide tackles when the opponent is trying to overrun you. Your tackles should be clear that you have an intention of getting the ball.
Composure
Composure is very important during a football match. Always make sure that you stay focused on your objectives. You may make mistakes in the pitch but don’t let them drug you behind. In case you panic, you might end up giving inaccurate passes, being dispossessed easily, and more other downfalls. Always remain focused in the game and don’t allow the huge number of supporters to frighten you. What an important point in our 14 tips for full back defenders to succeed in modern football.
Make tactical fouls
If possible Fouls are not that good but at some point they may help you a lot. When making a foul, don’t do it in a way that may injure your opponent or a foul that may give you a red card. You can make a foul in style by either giving a shoulder to shoulder stamina.
You can check from professional footballers on how they make tactical fouls without getting even a yellow card. Though you may get a yellow card at some point but you may have helped your team a lot. You can search for popular footballers making tactical fouls and you’ll see how they have helped the team to avoid conceeding goals. A wonderful point, we had to include in our 14 tips for full back defenders to succeed in modern football.
Finishing
Finishing is also one of the 14 tips for full back defenders to succeed in modern football. At some point you should learn how to score. You might go in front them get a chance to score, you should be able to use it well. You can also score from a distance and give you team maybe some points or goals. We have some wingers who graduated from full backs due to their good finishing ability. For instance, Bukayo Saka begun as a full back before being given the role of a winger.
Good marking skills
Man marking is also very important in football. As a full back, you should be able to mark the opponent striker or winger where possible. You might mark an opponent who might be free during free kicks, corner kicks, or when the game is going on.
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Leaving your opponent free may even result into a goal. If you watch some of the best full backs in the world, you’ll notice that they sometimes have to mark an opponent. Some wingers may be too fast and being near them may reduce their chances of receiving a pass of cross.
Final word
Those are our 14 tips for full back defenders to succeed in modern football. You can try some of the tips above and you’ll absolutely deliver in football.
