Soccer Last Defender

The defender (not counting the goalkeeper) who is closest to the goal you are attacking. (The goalkeeper is usually the actual last defender, but it is easier to teach this concept by referring to the last field player as the "Last Defender").This is an important concept to teach because you may want your center forward to play within 2 steps of the Last Defender. The "Last Defender" is usually as far as a forward can "push up" without the ball & still be "onside". You want your forwards to stay 2 steps behind the last Defender so they won't be as likely to be called offside. It is hard to dribble past the Last Defenders. The best way to break through them is by "through balls", "give & go's" or "passing to yourself". (See "Offside Rule", "Push Up", "Through Ball", "Pass To Yourself" & "Pass To Space").