[MetroChile]

In order to make V in my HS this year, I gotta play stopper, yet I've never done so in my life, yet I am guessing sine I'm more defensively-minded and my height lead our coach to want me playing that position. I am happy and thrilled, and thank God for such an opportunity to play Varsity, yet I need to know what I should keep in mind playing stopper. Where to look? Who to pass to? Etc...?
We play the typical American HS system of 4-4-2 with a sweeper, and then me with 2 outside back, 2 center mids, 2 on the outside, and 2 fwds.

Bye

Thanks in advance

[toot86]

What is A stopper? And what does it do where is it positioned?

[MetrosSoccaFan10]

Stopper
Left D---Right D
Sweeper

Keeper


Stopper is a defensive mid, just more defensive. The stopper's job is to link the defense with the mids.

[MetroChile]

He ain't that far out, just think of it: most-pro teams that do play with a stopper and sweeper play like this: sweeper, and a line of 3 in front of'm+lc(stopper)r

[terrywilson]

You should concentrate on a 25X40 box infront of the defence in back of the center mids. Your goal is intimidation and aggression. Winning the ball is your primary job and disrupting the other teams offensive flow.

These are the things I would look for in a stopper.

Metro, when you start practicing, look closely at the angles you take in closing to the ball. What I mean by this is when you go to close a player down, you want to take a angle forcing them into an area of the field to your teams advantage.

Example the other team breaks on your team. The cm's are out of position but you outside mid on the left is back and the other team has their cm's and outside mid on the right. You want to force them to the left by cutting the angle down.

Also be very aggressive in closing people down when they receive the you should be in their shorts not allowing them to turn or you should be intercepting the ball.

Your last is giving support off the ball in the defensive half and being a linking player to the cm's and the sweeper.

[Soccerbum675]

Ok... I play stopper on occasion. You need to look to win any air balls and more or less mark up as the sweeper tells you.

[Turk from Pigs Eye]

Your sweeper shouldn't have to be marking anybody. If he is you goofed.

[Fender playa]

I played stopper. make shure you mark the teams most dangrous forward closely(i learned the hard way) and try to win alot of the air balls. the farthest you should go is half way to the opposing teams 18 yard box. Help the cover for the sweeper,and also help the left and right defence also! Try to be intimidating and be aggresive, make shure yyou win the ball and try to stop the other teams advancment out of mid.

[ForzaGrifo]

I also play stopper. One of the keys is distribution. You gotta have good vision and possess good long-passing skills. You should also know where all your teammates are at all times.

Defensively positioning is vital. If you have good anticipation of where your opponent's going to do, you will definitely have a big advantage.

[terrywilson]

Stopper is one of the hardest positions to play, when you practice do like I said and work on your positioning on defensive angles forcing play to your strong points. 2nd be aggressive on loose balls but don't get caught out of position. 3rd tight marking.