Table of Contents
- What is a ball-playing defender?
- Why use a ball-playing defender?
- What are the drawbacks of ball-playing defenders?
- Who are the best ball-playing defenders in soccer?
- What attributes do ball-playing defenders need?
- Recap: The important role of ball-playing defenders in soccer
Remember the adage “If in doubt, kick it out” that was drilled into us as kids?” Does it even apply anymore? That depends on who you ask.
As the game evolves, so do a lot of the positions we thought we knew inside out. One of the biggest changes in soccer over the last two decades or so has been the rise in popularity of the ball-playing defender, adding another creative and instrumental element to how sides instigate attacks.
This article will examine what makes a good ball-playing defender, what it can bring to a team, and some of the players who’ve mastered the role.
What is a ball-playing defender?
A ball-playing defender is a term for a player in a team that has been assigned the defensive duties for their side but also dictates play and is willing to become part of a team’s passing move.
First and foremost, they are on the field to defend. Increasingly over recent years, however, it’s become an integral part of their matchday tasks to get involved with the passing moves a team creates.
Rather than focusing on clearing the ball as far away from their goal as possible, keeping possession and spreading the ball out to wider players is one of the tasks they’re entrusted with.
The idea is to not sacrifice possession for territorial gain.
Why use a ball-playing defender?
Deploying a ball-playing defender can have numerous advantages.
Firstly, a center-back that isn’t afraid to be on the ball and work as an operator for a team can drag their counterparts out of position.
If a defender is comfortable on the ball without needing to boot it forward as far as possible, it will tempt attackers to close them down and create gaps between the opposition’s attack and midfield.
Savvy managers hoped these attackers will be sucked in and trust that their players have the requisite skill to exploit the space left. Not to mention this closing down of defenders will expend the energy of attackers too.
Stepping away from central defenders for a moment, there are the more commonly seen full-backs or wing-backs that are technically as adept as lots of attackers. Having a skilful wing-back widens the pitch for your side, meaning you can exploit gaps in the opponent’s formation from different angles.
What are the drawbacks of ball-playing defenders?
Naturally, there are risks involved with entrusting a defender to spray the ball about.
One of these risks is simply the territory you are passing the ball in. It’s closer to your goal, meaning the opposition has less of the field to navigate should they dispossess you. It also means that, unlike losing the ball in midfield, you have no other line of defense to win the ball back should your defender misplace a pass.
Another reason some managers aren’t fans of the system is that there is a perception that defenders simply aren’t as good technically as their midfield and attacking teammates. Times have changed and this isn’t strictly true anymore, as managers often grant defenders license to take more risks. But if you are lined up with an “old school” center-back who relies on physicality more than footwork, you can perhaps understand why you’d opt for a different approach.
Who are the best ball-playing defenders in soccer?
Unsurprisingly, there are countless modern examples of ball-playing defenders and fewer from bygone eras because the system has been favored contemporarily.
One of the first obvious and concentrated uses of ball-playing defenders was the great Barcelona team of the late 00s and early 10s. Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano, both very skilled operators, frequently paired up in the center of defense and passed the opposition into submission.
It overwhelmed many in La Liga and further afield in Europe. Mascherano was, in fact, a midfielder before he joined the Catalonian club, but was converted into a central defender because Pep Guardiola knew how much possession his team would have and believed it was worth having an extra ball player who could also defend well.
Sticking with another Guardiola side (clearly there’s a theme to his setups), Manchester City stormed to a historic treble in the 2022/23 season and English defender John Stones has been credited with playing a huge part in that success.
He is a defender by trade but his capabilities on the ball and eye for a pass have left many wondering if he can convert to an auxiliary midfielder. His defensive teammates Rúben Dias, Nathan Aké, and Manuel Akanji are all strong technically too, making the job less pressurized for Stones to flourish.
Heading over to Paris, you’ll see World Cup winner Sergio Ramos pulling the strings for Ligue 1’s most dominant side. While his prime years were spent at the heart of Real Madrid’s defense, which conquered Europe several times with Ramos at the back, the Spaniard is still incredibly influential at beginning attacking moves and keeping possession for his side.
What attributes do ball-playing defenders need?
Perhaps composure is the number one attribute you’d want in a ball-playing defender. Of course, that’s assuming they’re already capable of defending!
Being composed and not panicking on the ball is vital to accomplishing this role. It means you won’t clear the ball out of play frequently and instead look for options to remain in possession.
Next, you must have strong passing ability. Without this, it’s unlikely that your side will achieve their goals in the system they’re told to operate in.
Head coaches and sporting directors have been known to make this a priority in the transfer market: replacing a less capable technician at center-back with somebody well adept in the role.
Recap: The important role of ball-playing defenders in soccer
It’s a system that has become ingrained in soccer to the point where how children are coached has been altered drastically across nations.
The next time you tune in to a soccer match, keep an eye out for those ball-playing defenders who can offer so much to the modern team.
Do you know a full back from a carrilero? Learn more about other specialist soccer positions by reading more SKH articles!