Strikers may get all the glory, but good defenders win titles and cups.
And the two players that are integral to a team’s defensive success are the two central defenders, one of whom wears the number 5 jersey.
Central defenders or center backs, are there to prevent the opposition from scoring and they do that through effective tackling, blocking shots, and helping to organize the defense.
Center backs are chosen for their range of skills, including their ability to read the game and anticipate opposition movements, their ability in the air, and their willingness to put body and soul on the line when tackling the opposition.
They also display good leadership skills, communicating with the rest of the team to organize the defense and ensure that the team maintains its defensive structure.
Table of Contents
- What Are the Roles and Responsibilities of the Central Defender?
- What Skills and Qualities Does a Center Back Require?
- What Different Formations Does a Center Back Fit Into?
- The History of Number 5 in Soccer
- How to Develop the Skills of a Center Back?
- Training Tips for a Center Back
- Mental Strategies for Center Backs
- Famous Players Who Have Donned the Number 5 in Soccer
What Are the Roles and Responsibilities of the Central Defender?
Whether your team is playing a traditional 4-4-2 formation or the more modern 4-3-3 or even 5-3-2, the center backs are critical to the strength of the defense.
Center backs have been integral to soccer formations since the very beginning, with many legendary players like Franz Beckenbauer, Bobby Moore, and who can forget, Ronald Koeman, one of the most prolific goal-scoring defenders of all time.
The number 5 jersey is most often given to the second-choice defender who supports the number 4 center back, either on the left or the right side of the central defense.
In this role, the number 5 is required to act quickly, closing down opposing forwards and helping to communicate with the rest of the defense and midfield.
With possession football the name of the game now, the central defenders are often called to start the attack from the back, making accurate passes and ensuring that the tea, doesn’t lose possession.
Together with the goalkeeper, the central defenders ensure that the opposing team is closed down, challenging in the air on set pieces and making crunching tackles when required.
All of this is done with the express purpose of moving the ball to the midfield, either wide to the wings or centrally to the attacking midfielders. At the same time, the central defenders offer themselves as targets for return passes that draw the opposition out of position and open gaps in the midfield for the team to exploit.
So, what should you be looking for in your center backs and how can they be best utilized in your team’s structure?
What Skills and Qualities Does a Center Back Require?
Most importantly, center-backs must be physically strong, capable of withstanding pressure, and possess the necessary strength to impose their will on the opposition.
The center-back position is one of the best positions for tall soccer players. A little extra height should allow them to be good in the air, with the ability to rise above the strikers.
They also need to possess excellent tackling skills too. However, they must have a modicum of restraint, to avoid giving away unnecessary free kicks and penalties when challenging for the ball.
You also want your center-backs to have the vision to see openings and opportunities as they present themselves. Combined with the ability to distribute the ball accurately, a center-back can contribute to the attack with pinpoint accuracy and timing.
Central defenders must be comfortable controlling the ball and with the ball at their feet, have the presence of mind to make tactical decisions while under pressure.
The combination of a calm head, strength, technical skill, and communication are the hallmarks of a top-level center back.
What Different Formations Does a Center Back Fit Into?
No matter which soccer formation you choose, the center-back has a crucial role to play in the defense.
The 4-4-2 is a more traditional formation that employs two center backs to provide stability and maximum security at the back.
In the 4-4-3 formation, the center-back is partnered with a defensive midfielder who plays slightly behind the two attacking midfielders. While this more modern formation is more flexible, it also increases the workload on the central defenders as they need to make sure that they can provide the necessary defense, should they be hit with a counter-attack.
A rarely seen formation, the famous Brazilian 5-3-2, uses three central defenders with an over-full midfield that is extremely difficult to break down. One defender is usually a sweeper, who covers behind the two central defenders and links ups with the wings, who offer passing opportunities opposite the central midfielders.
Teams who use this formation are very difficult to score against as it is defense focused yet also offers managers the opportunity to overwhelm the opposition on the attack by dominating the midfield.
The History of Number 5 in Soccer
The center back position dates back to the earliest days of soccer and the number 4 and number 5 jerseys are synonymous with the position.
However, the number 5 has also been worn by players who played in midfield, most notably, Zinedine Zidane. He was an extremely talented midfield player who went on to captain Real Madrid and become one of their most successful coaches.
How to Develop the Skills of a Center Back?
Center-backs are usually tasked with marking the opposing striker and will have to adapt their play and strategy to the type of striker they are playing against.
The center back must have good observational skills that will give them the upper hand, especially when it comes to stepping up to spring the offside trap. Just as importantly, they need to know when to retreat and regroup, calling instructions to the rest of the defense and organizing the structure to defeat an attack.
To improve as a central defender, you must work on heading the ball, spending plenty of time with the wings, and working on your timing, height, and accuracy. These drills should be done both in the defensive position and offensively to attack the opposition’s goal.
Various drills to improve vertical height in the jump as well as drills to simulate defending crosses and corners will pay dividends on match day.
A large part of a central defender’s job will be to distribute the ball, so drills incorporating the keeper as well as other defenders are important, especially moving the ball forward and to the side when receiving it from behind. The ball should be played wide, back to the keeper, and out to the side so that the central defender can pass accurately to the midfield.
All of these drills can be done in one half of the field, first with no pressure to cement the required movement and then with increasing pressure from a defender. As skill levels increase, additional defenders and opposing midfield players can be incorporated to simulate actual gameplay.
The use of dummy players, cones, poles, and other obstacles helps to increase the pressure and get the central defender used to the pressure. Of paramount importance is that the defender looks up while the ball is in motion, making sure to check where the opposition is and adapt their receiving of the ball accordingly.
A great way to increase the mental pressure is to get the central defender to throw a tennis ball or bean bag to a coach or player while the pass is coming in. Initially this seems like an impossible task but within a short time, players can do it with ease, creating loads of mental room to look around and judge where they want to send the ball.
Reading the game and anticipating opposition movements can be improved by studying game film, breaking down tactical patterns, and understanding the tendencies of opposing players.
Training Tips for a Center Back
Center backs will also benefit from speed training, agility work, and reaction training drills. It is important to make sure that the ball is part of these drills so that a level of game realism is present in each exercise.
Additional training tips for center-backs include working on their speed, agility, and reaction time through sprints, shuttle runs, and agility drills.
Practicing playing under pressure, both in individual and team settings can also help improve a player’s decision-making and game awareness.
Finally, it’s important for center-backs to continuously study the game, analyze their performance, and seek feedback from coaches and mentors to further improve their skills.
Whether through watching game films, reading books, or attending coaching clinics, players must be proactive in seeking out opportunities to learn and grow as a center-back.
Mental Strategies for Center Backs
To excel as a center-back, one must have a strong mental approach and be able to handle the pressure of the position.
Developing a positive attitude and confidence in one’s abilities is crucial, as well as staying focused and alert during the game.
Visualizing successful plays and scenarios can help build confidence and improve performance. Being aware of the opposition’s movements, making quick decisions, and anticipating their actions are all important mental strategies for the center-back position.
Famous Players Who Have Donned the Number 5 in Soccer
Many legendary players have donned the number 5 jersey throughout the history of soccer, creating a host of center-backs to emulate and learn from.
Franco Baresi
Franco Baresi was referred to as the “Kaiser of the defense,” playing for AC Milan throughout the 80s and 90s and captaining Italy at the 1994 World Cup, where his team lost to Brazil in the final.
Franz Beckenbauer
Franz Beckenbauer was the quintessential center-back at Bayern Munich and represented the German national team. He is famous for his impressive technical abilities and superior tactical awareness, earning the nickname, “The Emperor”.
Gerardo Bedoya
Gerardo Bedoya, was one of the most aggressive center backs in the world, picking up frequent red and yellow cards for his on-the-limit tackles. The Colombian defender was incredibly agile and his ability to attack the ball in the air is the stuff of legends.
These players have set the standard for excellence at the center-back position and their legacies continue to inspire players today.
They made a significant tactical impact on the sport and are considered some of the greatest central defenders of their generation.
