medjai:

Aggression: Be aggressive against attackers.

Strength: This is the most important physical attribute of a defender. You need to be strong because defending involves a lot of pushing, running, harrying, and what have you.

Heading: Good aerial ability to deal with crosses and aerial threats.

Bravery: That is, when getting into tackles, you shouldn't be afraid.

Positioning: This is one of the most important skills of a defender. The ability to be at the right place at the right time. It also means being able to read the game.

Creativity/ flair/attacking instinct: Back in the 90's, this won't be considered an essential attribute of a defender but now the game's change. Some teams, Barcelona, for example, like to build their attack from the defence. You hardly see them clear out the ball, rather, they turn defence into attack. The defender sometimes is required to help bolster the team's attack especially when the team is desperately in need of a goal. Countless times, we've seen Pique, Vidic, etc, score crucial goals for clubs. Truth is, centrebacks nowadays must have some attacking instinct in them.
It doesn't have to be only at set pieces that they go up front. Everybody, defenders inclusive, must contribute to the team's attack.

Tackling: Be good with your tackles. Know when to go hard or otherwise.

davmor:

thank you so much brother, I am glad. please can you highlight again on Midfielder number 4. his duties and aim thank you I will also like you to advise me on which position to choose between the defender and midfielder and also what i can do to get strenght/energy.
thanks and God bless you.
The reason of all these my questions is because I want to make football my career.

davmor:

I am so happy for all your kindness.
Thank you and God continue to bless you, amen.
I am getting all your directions and am interested on your Club, I think its BFC?
All what you are telling me is making me to feel as though I am getting into my career, which is football.
I will like to add you in my contact, can you give me you e-mail address? send to davi_heroricman@yahoo.com
so that I can chat with you.
Am grateful once again and I want to know whether you are advicing me to continue all my research on becoming a good defensive midfielder?
As a learner, please let me understand very well, I think wing number is the defensive midfielder?
I am trying now to equip myself in a wing that you will advice me on so as to prepare me for trail in and of the European countries.
I love your description

medjai:

Aggression: Be aggressive against attackers.

Strength: This is the most important physical attribute of a defender. You need to be strong because defending involves a lot of pushing, running, harrying, and what have you.

Heading: Good aerial ability to deal with crosses and aerial threats.

Bravery: That is, when getting into tackles, you shouldn't be afraid.

Positioning: This is one of the most important skills of a defender. The ability to be at the right place at the right time. It also means being able to read the game.

Creativity/ flair/attacking instinct: Back in the 90's, this won't be considered an essential attribute of a defender but now the game's change. Some teams, Barcelona, for example, like to build their attack from the defence. You hardly see them clear out the ball, rather, they turn defence into attack. The defender sometimes is required to help bolster the team's attack especially when the team is desperately in need of a goal. Countless times, we've seen Pique, Vidic, etc, score crucial goals for clubs. Truth is, centrebacks nowadays must have some attacking instinct in them.
It doesn't have to be only at set pieces that they go up front. Everybody, defenders inclusive, must contribute to the team's attack.

Tackling: Be good with your tackles. Know when to go hard or otherwise.

davmor:

Please good people of Nairaland, I salute you all.
I need your helps please, can any one give me highlights on all the skills needed by a Defender basically wing number 5 or 6, who do tackle and how do I guide my back.
Please I need full details on how to be a good Half back defender.
Thanks all a millionX

Kgdavid:

u'v got your wing numbers all wrong, half backs are 2 and 3. these are the players who play on the flanks of the defence eg taye taiwo. centre backs are 4 and 5 these are the players who play in the centre of defence. 6 is the defensive midfielder who usually plays right in front of the defence.
now as a half back you do need to be
1.Good tackling. as a full back you will come up against skilfull players in one on one situations and you will need to be able to stop them for if they succesfully dribble past you, your teams flank will be exposed.
2.Fast. most wingers are really fast so you will need to be fast enough to keep up with them or you will find them sprinting past you again leaving your teams flank exposed. depending on your teams tactics you will likley be also expected to bomb forward and support in attack from time to time.
3.Able to read the game/good positioning. you need to be able to predict the runs of your opponent and close down the space he would have used to exploit your flank. often good marking is enough to take a winger out of the game.
4.Good crossing ability. as stated above you will be required to bomb forward and assist the attack usually by delivering crosses wen your winger has moved in or is tightly marked.
5.Some dribbling ability. again this is connected to your function of bombing forward, yu will need to be able to dribble past opposing defenders as you make your way forward.

for central defender you need three basic skills
1. good heading ability!!! this is paramount
2.good positioning/marking/game reading.
3.good tackling.

the two most important aspects of central defending are being able to clear arial balls and being able to intercept balls on the ground before they reach the striker in a dangerous position. both require the centre back to be a good reader of the game.

davmor:

A very big Thank to you Kgdavid for your elaborations so far.
Am really getting them and I want to wholey train on 6,-Defensive Midfielder.
So please give me more highlights on this position.
As you said, i want to traing very well on one position, which is (No. 6) Defensive Midfielder. And please quote me on this my plan to enrole with Kwara Football Academy Ilorine and please list certain benefits attached to going football academy.
Thank you toooooo much and remain favoured by God, more wisdom from Him to you in Jesus name, Amen.

Kgdavid:

im not in nigeria so i cant really advise you on what to do specifically in regards to the system in nigeria but your decision should be based on a few things.
!. how old are you? there is usually an age bracket foor academy players
2. how experienced are you? you might not need an academy to improve your skills if yu already have a reasonable level of experience
3. do you have someone backing you up and is ready to foot your living costs and day to day needs?