Can Defenders Score in Soccer? Rules Explained

You might have noticed that defenders often stay behind the midfield, leading some to believe they aren’t allowed to leave their positions. However, that’s not true; defenders, like all players, can move anywhere on the field. 

But playing in their designated position is usually more effective. Another common question is whether defenders can score goals, and the answer is yes. 

For more details, read our blog.

What Defenders Do in Soccer

As we know, defenders’ primary task is to prevent attackers from scoring a goal, but they contribute to the general performance in many other ways. Defenders are thus the main pillars of the side since they help ensure that all the players and the rest of the team retain the vigor required out on the field. 

They help form the defense, assist with the defense of midfield, and, in some cases, even reinforce the attacks. They have to be there so that the team remains connected and has to be on point.

Positioning Is Important for Defenders to Score

The position is very important in soccer. A team is an arrangement of people who can only work if they organize themselves on the field or the court and remain in the proper goalpost. Usually, the one closest to the goalpost scores most of the goals, which is a striker’s role. 

Every player on the team, including even the goalkeeper, can score. The defender’s goal becomes easier to make when he manages to push the other team back and then combine with the striker to score a goal.

Challenges Defenders Face in Scoring

Defenders can also score goals, but it is challenging. This is because defenders usually concentrate on their primary responsibility, which is essential for the whole team. If a defender leaves his position, he may leave his team exposed to a counter-attack, which would prove disadvantageous in several ways. 

Their principal task is to stop the opponent’s attackers. The further the attackers are from their own goal, the more difficult it is for the defenders to score. That is why defenders normally do not cross the midfield line; the usual practice is to stay in position and play from there.

Situations Where You Are Most Likely to See a Defender Score

Defenders, like any other team members, depend on their main function of stopping the opponent team from scoring, but they can score in special cases. Their formation flexibility enables them to move forward when the match requires it, thus creating opportunities to practice during a continuous onslaught. 

Third, defenders also get their moments during set-pieces, especially if they are the ones to take the ball, take a corner, take a free kick, etc. This role, where they anticipate and position themselves and take an opportunity during an attack or counterattack to anticipate their team, makes defenders very important in introducing an element of surprise for the team they are defending.

Why Some Defenders are Effective Scorers?

Sometimes, defenders are referred to as those who stop the ball and confront the adversaries. Of course, few fans are aware that such individualities can turn out to be an advantage in scoring.

Height and Strength

In our case, the defenders will have a better chance of being tall and strong than the strikers, who must also be quick. It is imperative to understand that these traits are not used for avoiding shots or tackles; they are also important when taking shots to score goals.

Set-Piece Advantage

Regarding set pieces, such as corner kicks and free kicks, a defender is likely to head the ball into the net with the help of his/her height. Their strength helps them push other players or get to the right position.

Scoring Impact

As a physical attribute, defenders can be the potential boot for the goals. They tend to use height and strength well during set-pieces, making them formidable, especially in front of the rival’s goal.

Top 5 Goal-Scoring Defenders in History

Ronald Koeman (253 Goals)

Defensively, the best was the Dutch Ronald Koeman, an excellent taker of free kicks and penalties.

His goal-getting abilities were well captured when he was at Barcelona and PSV, where he was deadly from free kicks and other set-pieces thanks to his powerhouse shots and milled finishing.

Daniel Passarella (175 Goals)

Another famous player who comes to mind is the Argentine defender named Daniel Passarella, who was famous for scoring goals even though he was a small man.

His most successful specific athletic talent stemmed from his ability to head goals, which allowed him to play most of his games in domestic and international leagues.

Fernando Hierro (163 Goals)

Spanish defender Fernando Hierro was an expert on free kicks and opportunities created through free kicks.

His physicality and smart positioning matched his aerial abilities, which made him instrumental in scoring opportunities for his teams.

Laurent Blanc (153 Goals)

Laurent Blanc, for instance, started as an attacking midfielder but later changed to a defender who was well known for his goal-scoring abilities, especially through free kicks.

His achievements went beyond club achievements; he was also instrumental in international successes.

Graham Alexander (130 Goals)

Scottish defender Graham Alexander created a name for himself more through penalties and being well-positioned most of the time.

He was known to be a great goal scorer during soccer matches due to good stylistic positioning.

Defensive Formations in Soccer

5-4-1 Formation

The 5-4-1 formation is a fort at the back, created to be very stingy and hard to break down. Since the number of defenders is five, it is especially useful when the attacking team is powerful. 

The midfield also consists of four players whose main roles are to defend the backline and initiate fast breaks. That formation is perfect for teams that want to avoid pressure and catch opponents off guard when they are on the attack.

4-5-1 Formation

This formation uses one striker and five midfield players and is addressed as a 4-5-1 formation. This formation centralizes the midfield and backs it up with a strong defense that takes time for a rival to penetrate. 

The wide midfielders and the central players perform synchronously to neutralize the hostile team’s play and initiate counter-attacks. It is a flexible formation where the defensive wall is as tight as possible while being ready to turn into an attacking wall as soon as possible.

5-3-2 Formation

The main advantage of the 5-3-2 formation is that the team has a stable and powerful defense with five defensive players on the field and a tight midfield. This formation also avails additional men to mark the opposing wingers and central attackers while at the same time offering the team control of the midfield and necessary protection. 

The two strikers have an organized defense and midfield where the defensive players create good counter-attacking.

4-3-3 Formation

The 4-3-3 formation splits the team into four defenders, three midfielders, and three forwards, making it a balanced formation between defense and attack. With four defenders in the defense line and three midfielders in the midfield, the formation secures defense while providing support for an attack. 

The three forwards apply pressure at the opposing team’s half, allowing for easy recoveries and the initiation of fast-paced plays. This formation is well-appropriate for teams that wish to maintain more than half of the playing time with the opposition in their half.

 4-4-2 Formation

The 4-4-2 formation is a typical soccer formation that offers a good defense line and a balanced midline. Four defenders and four midfielders form a strong block that can limit the opponents’ actions and contribute to the offense simultaneously. 

The two forward-facing players provide a physical target as a striker, thus completing the tactic’s ability to switch formation styles. It is ideal for teams that seek to balance their organizational defensive approach with attacking opportunities.

What makes a good defender?

• Positioning: Stay in the right position to intercept or challenge the ball, and you will be successful every time.
• Tackling: They should emphasize how to get the ball and gain possession.
• Awareness: Control the game’s flow, knowledge of enemies’ movements, and teamwork.
• Communication: Coordinate and manage the defense nicely and cooperate well with other team members.
• Physicality: Sustain fitness levels to cope with attackers and come out successful in aerial battles.
• Composure: Be able to remain composed in intense situations and make reasonable decisions simultaneously.
• Reading the Game: Respond to threats before they can occur by understanding the plays that are likely to happen.
• Passing: Pass the ball well to create counterattacks.
• Work Rate: Both win with low energy expenditure and determination throughout the game.