Center Back Stopper

Center Back Stopper Link to Video on What is a Box-To-Box Midfielder: https://youtu.be/miLSFk7y7f0 Link to Soccer Positions Book: https://amzn.to/2Mz6hAY The stopper soccer position is slightly in front of a center back. However, they largely serve the same function. The soccer stopper position often wears the number 5 jersey. The stopper in soccer ensures that the other team does not score. Given that there are often a considerable amount of crosses into the 18-yard box, or clearances by the other team, the stopper benefits from considerable height, size, strength, a high vertical leap, man-marking abilities, and consistency when heading the ball. Therefore, the stopper is often one of the tallest players on the team. One of the soccer stopper tips is that they generally use one of two defensive tactics to stop attackers. First, they may use zone coverage, which occurs when each defender handles a specific portion of the backfield. Otherwise, they may use man-to-man marking, which occurs when the stopper manages one specific attacker on the other team. Man-to-man marking is often more the role of a stopper. Whereas a team with two center backs, they are more likely to use zone coverage. However, man-to-man marking technique is more common for most coaches to use with their team because it leaves no room for miscommunications regarding who covers each player. The zone-marking tactic requires defenders who can better read the game. Stoppers often push the boundaries of the game in terms of physical contact and they force the referees to consider making calls to keep the players safe. From hassling and annoying attackers to holding and tripping strikers, they may attempt to slow the other team in ways that are against the rules. Although stoppers will get calls against them, they will continue to frustrate the opposition—especially outside their own 18-yard penalty box. Traditionally, stoppers use to kick the ball up the field to keep it away from their net. Modern stoppers and center backs often play a pivotal function in maintaining possession or finding passing lanes to midfielders or forwards. (B-Roll my voice behind this text on screen) Skills Needed: - High vertical leap - Considerable height and size - Good at headers - Can tackle an attacker - Tracking abilities Advantages: - Large physical presence makes them difficult to get past in the air - Frequently involved in the 18-yard box during set pieces and corner kicks on both sides of the field Disadvantages: - Takes responsibility for all goals against their team—even when it is not their fault - Generally, defenders do not receive the glory for a win, but they receive criticism for a loss - Often, they are not the fastest player. For how to play stopper in soccer, let’s look at arguable the best stopper in soccer, Sergio Ramos. He plays for Real Madrid and the Spanish National Team. Sergio Ramos is one of the most disliked players in the game. His physical style, in-your-face attitude, and additional ability to score big goals from set pieces in important games has only made the list of folks who dislike him even longer. His record includes the record for most carded player in La Liga. Also, in the 2018 Champions League Final, he broke the collarbone of Liverpool’s star player, Mohamed Salah. Within days of breaking Mohamed Salah’s collarbone, over 500,000 people had signed a petition stating that Ramos was “an awful example to future generations” and urged soccer’s governing bodies to punish him retroactively. Although he is not a great role model based on his antics, his abilities to perform when an important game is on the line and to be an overbearing defender in the backfield have allowed him to play for one of the best teams in the world for over a decade. Additionally, he has won a World Cup, two Euros, multiple Champions Leagues, and every worthwhile top-flight soccer competition in Spain. Commission: Though no cost to you, I receive a small commission when using the Amazon link above.