Guarding is a term used in basketball to define defending an opposing player. In soccer, the comparable term is "marking" and refers to staying within a few feet of the player you are defending to prevent her from scoring, assisting or dribbling to a valuable central area of the field. Resolute defenders like Manchester United's Nemanja Vedic and Barcelona's Gerard Pique and U.S. women's team fullback Christie Rampone display mastery of the positioning and tactics of soccer guarding.
Step 1
Guard the player nearest to you by positioning yourself between him and the goal. Run up to the player if he is some distance away, slowing yourself over the last three yards so that you maintain a cushion of space. Avoid running right up to the player at full speed, which gives him a chance to feint and get past you.
Step 2
Stabilize your position about a yard away from the opponent. Maintain the ready position, with feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent and your body leaning forward, recommends Sam Snow, director of coaching education for US Youth Soccer, in "Coaching Youth Soccer." Move as needed to stay with your mark by running or shuffling sideways, and continue to stay goalside of the ball handler.
Step 3
Attempt to take the ball away by "tackling," as gaining possession is called in soccer parlance. Look for a chance to step in and take control of the ball if your opponent dribbles the ball too far ahead or if your opponent mishandles an incoming pass.
Step 4
Steer your opponent away from the center of the field by positioning your body at an angle to her. Place yourself so that your opponent cannot get to the middle of the field without bumping into your hip or dribbling right into a tackle. Allow the ball handler to have a better view and access to the side of the field, where it is more difficult -- especially for youth or amateur players -- to mount a serious attack on goal.
Step 5
Keep track of your nearest opponent if you are the second- or third-closest player to your teammate who is defending against the ball handler. Guard your nearest opponent by staying within three to five yards of her. Shift your gaze between the player you are guarding and the ball. Prepare to snuff out any attempted passes with an interception or to guard the player closely if she tries to make a run without the ball down the middle to receive a cross. The technical term for this defensive shape is pressure-cover-balance, with the nearest defender to the ball providing pressure, the second providing cover and the third adding balance.
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