Fullbacks in soccer, more often called ''centerbacks'', are generally tall and powerful players with a tactically astute approach to the game. It is a position where experience and a cool head is often valued more than youth and physical agility because of the key tackling and defensive decisions that need to be made. As a fullback you will be required to stop the best attacking players your opposing team has to offer.
Tackling
When to tackle is a key decision and this is when all that experience comes into play. As a defender you must decide whether you can make the tackle without fouling the player and giving away a free kick, or even penalty. As the BBC website notes, it is best to go for the tackle when the attacker makes a mistake and lets the ball go slightly too far away from her body.
Decisions
Whether you can make a tackling attempt or not depends on the situation. To make this decision you must have a keen sense of the players around you, especially your fellow defenders. If there are more defenders behind you, then you can take the risk and try to win the ball in a tackle. If you are ''last man'' between the attacker and your goalkeeper, however, you should try to stay on your feet for as long as possible.
Offside Trap
Your experience and tactical astuteness comes into play as a fullback when trying to catch attackers offside. It is vital that you stay in alignment with the other defenders in the line and marshall the other defenders if one falls out the line. Falling out of alignment could play an attacker onside and put them through on goal. Push up the field to keep the attackers as far away from the goal as possible.
Attacking Header
If your team is chasing the game, as a tall and powerful fullback you will be expected to move into an attacking position for free kicks and corner kicks. As Soccer Training Guide notes, this will be one of your best chances of scoring a goal. As the ball is crossed, try to jump higher than your opponents, get into the flight of the ball and be sure to be slightly higher than the ball as you header, so as to put power in the shot.
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