How do defenders score goals when part of a formation

Question

When playing in a 4-5-1 or 4-4-3 formation you are meant to stay in your zone on the pitch.

The defenders need to be part of the back 4 and not move into the forward postions.

How then do defenders get out of position and actually score goals ? Given that goals are encouraged (obviously) but isn't being out of position a bad thing from the manager's point of view?

Answer 1

In modern soccer, the formation is not a rigid structure, and the player positions are more flexible.

Especially the wingbacks (defenders at the far left and right) combine the functions of a classical full back with a (midfield) winger – when they get to the ball, they quickly move forward along the side to prepare an attack, often even participating in its final phases (and, therefore, they can sometimes even score a goal). It is obviously important other players know their tasks in such a situation.

This is a useful part of modern soccer tactics, and is prescribed by managers (well, not always, obviously), not discouraged.

Answer 2

One way is through corners and free kicks.

The central defenders are often the best headers of the ball in the team, because they need to be able to defend crosses and long balls when defending. Because of this strength, they will often take a position close to the opposition goal for corner kicks and free kicks in the opposition half, and try to score a headed goal.

An example of this was the only goal in the world cup semi-final between Germany and Spain, scored from a corner by defender Carlos Puyol.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_World_Cup_knockout_stage#Germany_vs_Spain

As you suggest, this can be a risky tactic, and if the corner/free-kick is defended successfully, then the defender has to try to get back in position as quickly as possible, to prevent a successful counter attack.

A manager may decide whether the risk is worth taking, depending on the score. While in the lead, he may tell defenders to stick to their positions, but while losing, he may tell the defenders to be try and score a goal.

Answer 3

Just to add some illustration to the existing good question and answers. The top five goalscoring (excluding penalty kicks) defenders in the history of the Premier League are:

1. John Terry (26)

2. William Gallas (24)

3. Dan Petrescu (23)

4. Sami Hyypia (22)

5. John Arne Riise (21)

As you can see from this, you've got Terry and Hyypia who are very dominant in the air, thus being a great asset from corners and free kicks. Riise and Petrescu are known for their attacking wing play as well as Riise being a free-kick specialist. Gallas, whilst used to playing more centrally, had a spell as a left-wing-back for Chelsea and, at Arsenal and Tottenham, does like to get forward at all opportunities.

Incidentally, if you include penalties, the top five would be:

1. David Unsworth - Goals: 38 (22 penalties)

2. Ian Harte - Goals: 28 (10 penalties)

3. John Terry - Goals: 26 (no penalties)

4. Julian Dicks - Goals: 24 (15 penalties)

5. William Gallas - Goals: 24 (no penalties)