How To Play A Position: (4 and 5) Center Back
Who you are:
You're the one that keeps the other team from getting shots. You're the one who can kick the ball up the field. You're the one who gets in their way. You're the one that pushes the other team around and doesn't get pushed back herself.
Where You Play:
You play on your half of the field. A 4 plays on the right. A 5 plays on the left. You also take the throw-ins on your side most of time.
On Defense:
Both center backs stay even with each other. You always keep the ball in front of you. Never let one of them get behind you. When you have numbers, you press. If you don't, delay them until the rest of your team can get back. Be physical but don't foul. Try to force the other team to go wide around you to get to the goal. Both center backs also move side to side with each other toward the side the ball is on.
On Offense:
You push up the field to the center line. You expect that if your team can't move the ball forward, you might get the ball passed to you to switch, so you're on your toes.
Remember:
Both center backs together are a team. You both stay the same distance from the goal, whereever that is. If the ball is moving forward on the right, and the 4 has to mark by moving backward, the 5 moves backward, too, even if there's no one around. Your friends are the other center back, the goalkeeper, the winger on your side, and the center midfielder.