Stopper Sweeper Defense

[Unregistered]

Depends on the age level and formation. At 8v8 and 11v11, two most important positions could be the center midfielder and sweeper. Or the sweeper could simply be the kid who kicks the ball really far instead of controlling the middle and setting up the counter.

Ugh, our team plays the latter at u13. 4 kids at defender, two in the middle are told to just clear the ball. Put the two big kids there, instead of some smaller kids who may be able to actually control the ball. Going to be a long year.

[Just a Coach]

There is always a need for one. Whether its the role of a central defender or of a defensive mid the role is there although most will look at it strictly in a 3-5-2 formation.

There is a big difference between the stopper/sweeper and the three central backs systems. The former plays man marking, while the later plays zonal marking. Kids should learn both, man marking and zonal marking, however the sweeper/stopper system itself is obsolete.

[Unregistered]

Stopper/sweeper is very much alive in the youth system. Not saying it is good, but definitely there. Four defender set on a questionable team, you have two kids playing the position. Get the ball kick the ball.

[Unregistered]

Stopper/sweeper is very much alive in the youth system. Not saying it is good, but definitely there. Four defender set on a questionable team, you have two kids playing the position. Get the ball kick the ball.

Not necessarily true - defenders have to back-up each other. Sweeper is just the designated player to cover for the back line. They are usually very fast, smart, skilled players.