Every soccer player from the seasoned pro to the smallest children needs to know the essential defensive skill of marking. Many coaches would agree that it is the single most important play in the game of soccer. But what is marking? Marking is a basic soccer technique of making an opponent unable to pass or receive the ball. While many soccer beginners neglect this skill in favor of actually handling the ball, it is one soccer strategy that can turn a string of losses into a solid record of wins.


Beginning Marking Drill

Fortunately, marking is not a difficult skill to learn. In its most basic form, marking is simply following the person you are marking-but following them closely and relentlessly enough to restrict their ability to play soccer. To practice this, sort your players into pairs and have them guard each other. Explain that it is the job of the 'mark' to get away from his marker and the job of the marker to stay with him as long as possible. This is an easy drill because it requires little space and absolutely no equipment, not even a ball.


Marking and Switching Drill

Once your team has got the idea, it's time to introduce advanced marking skills. Begin having the paired teammates switch being the mark and the marker. Every minute or so, yell "switch!" This is a realistic representation of what happens in many soccer games as the ball changes possession repeatedly. It's important that your players understand the need for the repeated switching.


Advanced Marking

Once the players understand the switching maneuver, it is time to introduce using the marking technique while a ball is in play. This can be a challenge for many new players because their inclination is to watch the ball and not their mark. However, not only will using a ball during marking practice break them of this habit, it will allow them to understand how switching occurs with the change of ball possession. One easy drill that will get this point across is having the kids do the switching drill, but with the mark having possession of the ball. As with the switching drill, have the pairs switch every minute or so.


Applied Learning

Once soccer players are showing proficiency in marking during these soccer drills, begin introducing them to the practice during practice games. Remind defensive players that marking is their job. But don't limit marking drills to the fullbacks; the forwards who will often be on the receiving end of marking need to understand the play as well. Once athletes can use marking effectively, they will find that it is a concrete way to prevent the other team from scoring. A few tools like this under their belt and nothing will be able to stop them! Marking is one skill that can singlehandedly revolutionize your team's play and turn around a dismal game record. Because the drills that teach marking are easy and require no special equipment, this is one play that no soccer team should be without.

About the Author

Mirsad Hasic

Author Info: Mirsad Hasic is the webmaster of how to play soccer, a site that provides you with everything you need to know about the world's biggest game. You will for example find info on different soccer positions, formations, tactics and more.