Need some advice on how to play sweeper?

its my first year playing organized soccer, but im not a bad player because i grew up playing street soccer and the likes. anyways, my coach has me playing sweeper right now. im not really comfortable there, as i prefer playing midfield but hey its where he put me. anyways i havea game tomorrow and i just want some tips on what i should focus on during the game.Need some advice on how to play sweeper?
I played starting sweeper all last year on varsity. That was my junior year. My best advice would be to ALWAYS sit back and react to a situation that comes up, as in you should always be scanning the field for possibilities of where the other team can get through. A sweeper reacts to where the defense fails and the opponent gets through. Try to plan ahead when you see this happen as you can possibly stop the opponent as soon as he gets through. This will also happen if you see the opponent is going to try a through pass and you can occupy that spot before the ball gets to the receiver. That was my strategy and I did pretty well there.Need some advice on how to play sweeper?
you need to command the defence, tell them who to mark when they need to and make sure you push up the line when you're attacking. hang back a little but dont give the other team too much room: try to catch them offside. make sure you're never left having to mark someone, bring back a midfielder to mark for you if you need it. make sure you clear all loose balls without unnecessary dribbling as you are the last line before the keeper. good luck and if in doubt just defend as your instincts tell you!
Anticipate!!!!


Guess where the ball is gonna go, stay back a little, and scan the field.


Dont be afraid to yell at your teammates!!!


Also practice on offside trapping.


Once you get good at that you can really get under your opponents skin.


Hmm, you shouldnt be marking anyone unless its a corner kick(free kick), thats a defenders job.


But I have to say anticipation is the biggest.
don't go too far forward.


stay with the central defenders until the ball is coming towards you, then stay a few feet closer to your goal than they are.


let your central defenders take care of high balls and you stand back in case the ball gets through.


listen to your goalkeeper more than you normally would.


if you're too close/too far from your goal, the keeper should tell you.


don't take many touches.


it doesn't matter where you kick the ball as long as it's far away from your goal.