Examples of Defensive Positioning in Soccer: 3 Key Examples That Win Games

Let’s start with one of the best examples of defensive positioning in soccer: how a back four moves together when the ball switches from one side of the field to the other.

Picture this: you’re playing a standard 4–3–3. The opponent has the ball with their right winger near your left sideline. Your entire back line should slide toward the ball, staying compact and connected, instead of each defender standing in a random spot.

Here’s how smart positioning works in that moment:

• Ball-side fullback (your left back) closes down the winger but doesn’t dive in. Their body angle forces the attacker toward the sideline, not inside toward goal.
• Nearest center back shifts across to cover the space behind the left back, ready to deal with a through ball.
• Far-side center back tucks in, staying close enough to cover the near center back but not so far that they ignore the space behind them.
• Far-side fullback comes inside toward the center, narrowing the gap between them and the far-side center back. They’re not hugging the far sideline yet because the danger is in the middle.

This is a classic example of defensive positioning in soccer: the entire line moves as a unit, horizontally and slightly forward or backward, to stay compact.

Real examples: What good and bad shifting looks like

Watch almost any top team in 2024–2025—Manchester City, Real Madrid, the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams—and you’ll see the same pattern. When the ball is wide, the back line squeezes in. The gap between defenders is often just 6–10 feet. There are no big holes to pass through.

Now compare that with bad positioning:

• One fullback stays too wide on the far side, leaving a chasm between them and the center back.
• One center back doesn’t shift quickly enough, leaving a lane for a diagonal pass.
• The line is uneven, with one defender sitting deeper and accidentally playing everyone onside.

Those tiny mistakes become big chances for the opponent. This is why coaches constantly yell, “Slide! Shift!” They’re trying to drill in one of the best examples of defensive positioning in soccer: staying connected horizontally.

How to train this example of defensive positioning

You don’t need fancy equipment or pro-level resources. Here’s a simple way to train this with your team:

• Set up a grid about 44 yards wide (roughly the width of the penalty area) and 25–30 yards deep.
• Put four defenders in a line and two or three attackers in front of them.
• A coach or midfielder plays the ball from side to side.
• The defenders move as a unit with each pass, staying 6–10 feet apart and keeping the line straight.

Focus on three coaching points:

• Stay compact: no big gaps.
• Stay connected: if one defender moves, the others move.
• Stay organized: one defender leads with communication: “Step!” “Drop!” “Slide!”

For more on how positioning and spacing affect injury risk and physical load, you can explore general sports safety principles from organizations like the CDC, which highlight the value of structured, planned training sessions.

Example of Defensive Positioning #2: The Holding Midfielder’s Screening Role

Another of the most powerful examples of defensive positioning in soccer: 3 key examples is the way a holding midfielder (the “6”) screens the back line. When this player gets their positioning right, they make the entire defense look better.

Imagine the opponent has the ball in central midfield, about 30–40 yards from your goal. If your holding midfielder is standing on the same line as your center backs, you’ve lost a layer of protection. Instead, they should sit in that pocket of space between the midfield and the back line.

What smart screening looks like

Here’s a concrete example of defensive positioning in soccer for the holding midfielder:

• The ball is with the opponent’s central midfielder.
• Your holding midfielder stands roughly 8–15 yards in front of the center backs, directly in the passing lane to the striker.
• Their body is half-turned so they can see both the ball and the striker.
• As the striker moves, the holding mid adjusts a few steps left or right, staying between the ball and the most dangerous forward.

They’re not chasing the ball everywhere. They’re blocking the most dangerous pass. This is one of the best examples of how defensive positioning can save energy and reduce fouls.

Real examples from modern soccer

Watch a player like Rodri for Manchester City or Lindsey Horan when she drops deeper for the U.S. Women’s National Team. They rarely sprint wildly at the ball. Instead, they:

• Cut off central passing lanes.
• Force the opponent to play sideways or backward.
• Intercept passes because of smart starting positions, not just speed.

This positioning-heavy style is backed up by modern analytics. Tracking data used by clubs and researchers (for example, work summarized in resources from places like Harvard’s sports-related research pages) shows that teams that control central spaces and passing lanes concede fewer high-quality chances, even if they allow some harmless possession.

Training this example of defensive positioning

To train this example of defensive positioning in soccer:

• Play a small-sided game: 6v6 or 7v7.
• Assign one player as the holding midfielder with a clear job: “Stay between their striker and our goal.”
• Freeze play occasionally and ask: “Where should you be if the ball is here?”

Over time, that player starts to anticipate danger:

• If the opponent’s attacking midfielder drops into space, the holding mid steps up slightly.
• If the striker checks into midfield, the holding mid tracks them until a center back can pick them up.
• If the ball is wide, the holding mid shifts toward that side but never abandons the central lane.

This is a subtle example of defensive positioning in soccer, but it might be the single biggest difference between a shaky defense and a solid one.

Example of Defensive Positioning #3: Defending Crosses and Cutbacks

The third of our examples of defensive positioning in soccer: 3 key examples is how defenders position themselves when the ball goes wide and a cross or cutback is coming.

Most goals at every level—from youth leagues to the World Cup—come from the same basic pattern: the ball goes wide, a defender is 1v1, and the rest of the back line has to deal with runners in the box.

Inside the box: Who marks what?

Let’s walk through a real, game-like example of defensive positioning in soccer when defending a cross from your right side:

• Your right back is pressuring the winger.
• Your two center backs are inside the box.
• Your left back is tucking in.
• A holding midfielder is sprinting back to help.

Good positioning here looks like this:

• Near-side center back picks up the most central or most dangerous runner, staying goal-side (between the attacker and the goal) and ball-side.
• Far-side center back covers the space between the penalty spot and the back post, watching for a late run.
• Far-side fullback tucks in toward the back post, ready to mark any far-post runner.
• Holding midfielder tracks late runners at the top of the box, watching for cutbacks.

Notice how this example of defensive positioning isn’t just about the first ball (the cross) but also the second ball (the rebound or cutback).

Cutbacks: The overlooked danger

Modern soccer trends in 2024–2025 place a huge emphasis on cutbacks—low passes pulled back from the endline to the top of the box. Analysts and coaches have found that these passes often lead to very high-quality chances. You see this pattern constantly in top leagues and international tournaments.

That means your defensive positioning has to account for:

• The runner at the near post.
• The attacker in the middle of the box.
• The late-arriving midfielder at the edge of the area.

One of the best examples of defensive positioning in soccer here is the holding midfielder stopping at the top of the box instead of blindly dropping into the goalmouth. If everyone collapses to the goal line, the cutback is wide open.

Training this scenario

To train this example of defensive positioning in soccer, set up a simple pattern:

• Wingers start wide with a ball.
• Two or three attackers make runs into the box.
• Four defenders plus a holding midfielder defend.
• The winger must either cross or cut the ball back.

Coach the defenders to:

• Stay goal-side of runners.
• Communicate: “Near post!” “Back post!” “Top of the box!”
• Adjust their starting positions based on the winger’s body shape. If the winger is near the endline, expect a cutback. If they’re deeper, expect a lofted cross.

This is one of those real examples that shows why positioning often matters more than pure speed. A slower defender in the right spot will beat a faster defender in the wrong spot almost every time.

More Real Examples of Defensive Positioning in Soccer

We’ve covered our examples of defensive positioning in soccer: 3 key examples, but let’s add a few more situations you see constantly in real games.

Defending a 2v1 on the wing

You’re the fullback. The opponent has a winger and an overlapping outside back coming at you. If you charge at the ball, they just slip it to the runner. If you drop too far, they cross freely.

A smart example of defensive positioning in soccer here:

• You angle your body to block the pass down the line.
• You stay close enough to pressure the winger but far enough to react if they pass.
• You wait for a teammate to recover before fully committing.

You’re buying time with your positioning. That’s defense.

Defending a counterattack

The modern game is fast. In 2024–2025, teams emphasize quick transitions more than ever. When you lose the ball, your first defensive positioning decision is massive.

Two strong examples include:

• Immediate compactness: Center backs drop a few steps, fullbacks tuck in, and midfielders sprint to the middle instead of chasing the ball wide. You’re protecting the center first.
• Angle of retreat: Instead of sprinting straight back to your own goal, you angle your run to cut off the ball-carrier’s path to the middle. This slows them down and pushes them wide.

These are subtle but powerful examples of defensive positioning that separate good teams from teams that get picked apart on the break.

Zonal defending on set pieces

On corners and free kicks, many teams now use a mix of zonal and man-marking. This is another example of defensive positioning in soccer that shows up in every match.

• A few players defend zones (near post, middle, far post).
• Others mark specific runners.
• One player is usually free to attack the ball.

If your starting positions are off by even a few feet, you’re late to the header. Training this means:

• Repeating the same starting spots.
• Assigning clear zones.
• Practicing clearances under pressure.

For general guidance on safe heading technique and reducing head injury risk, you can review resources from the Mayo Clinic or CDC HEADS UP, which emphasize proper form and coaching.

How to Think About Defensive Positioning Like a Pro

If you want to internalize these examples of defensive positioning in soccer, here’s a simple mental checklist you can use in any situation:

• Where is the ball? Wide, central, deep, or near your goal?
• Who is the most dangerous player? Striker, late runner, or winger?
• What space hurts you the most if it’s left open? Middle of the box, top of the box, or through-ball lane?

Then adjust your positioning by a few steps:

• Closer to the center when the ball is wide.
• A step higher when the opponent is facing their own goal.
• A step deeper when they’re facing your goal with time.

The best defenders in the world aren’t guessing. They’re constantly running this mental checklist, using the same patterns you see in these real examples of defensive positioning in soccer.

If you’re a coach, build this thinking into your training. If you’re a player, pick one example—like shifting as a back four or screening as a holding mid—and focus on it for a few games. Master one, then move to the next.

FAQ: Examples of Defensive Positioning in Soccer

Q: What are some simple examples of defensive positioning in soccer for beginners?
For beginners, start with three basics: stay goal-side of your opponent, stay between the ball and the middle of the field, and stay close to your teammates so there are no big gaps. Even youth players can understand, “Don’t let the attacker get between you and the goal.”

Q: Can you give an example of bad defensive positioning?
One classic example of bad positioning is a fullback standing too wide on the far side while the ball is on the opposite wing. That leaves a huge gap between them and the center back, perfect for a diagonal pass. Another is a holding midfielder standing in the same line as the center backs instead of in front, leaving space for attackers to receive the ball between the lines.

Q: How do I practice these examples of defensive positioning without a full team?
You can work with just three or four players. Practice a back three or back four shifting side to side as a coach or teammate passes the ball across the field. Then add one attacker and focus on staying goal-side and compact. Small, repeated reps teach your body where to stand.

Q: Are these examples of defensive positioning in soccer different for youth players?
The principles are the same, but the language should be simpler. Instead of talking about “screening the back line,” you might say, “Stay in front of our defenders and block passes.” Youth coaches can focus on a few clear habits: stay compact, face the ball, and talk to each other.

Q: Does fitness affect defensive positioning?
Absolutely. Good positioning reduces the amount of emergency sprinting you need to do, which can help lower fatigue and possibly reduce injury risk. General fitness and conditioning guidance from sources like NIH and CDC emphasize consistent training, which supports the movement and concentration required for quality defensive play.