DMV: Where The D Stands For Defense

Continuing our look at the postseason and break before Fall, this post looks at some of the standout defensive players winding down their seasons. Defenders are at a premium in today's game, with many coaches constantly on the hunt for them. Number one on the wish list are CB with good ball skills, who can help build out and break the press. These players are so in demand that coaches aren't limiting their search to existing defensive players; they are also looking at offensive players up the middle who have some defensive skills. One coach I talked to said, "I can teach an offensive player with good foot skills how to play solid defense, but it's much harder to get a good defensive player to develop the foot skills I need for them to effectively build out of the back." In addition to sturdy, physical CB, speedy OB are a necessity on higher-tier teams, as the forwards and wingers on those teams tend to have elite speed, and slower OB just get blown past. The last piece of the field player defensive puzzle is the defensive midfielder, or the 6, as commonly referred to. These players are the key to transitioning from defense to offense, and the first line of defense when the ball comes back the other way. They are a key part of the spine of any team.    Elena is a standout 2011 player with great size for her age. She is very strong, has a good leg, and has the building blocks for what you want in a CB. After getting playing time on Varsity as a Freshman, she was exposed to the difference in speed and power of girls four years older and learned from that. All that's left is for her to move out of EDP to more competitive club play where she will get some more advanced coaching and fine tune all that raw ability into one of the best defenders in the region.     Alyssa is a rising Freshman this year, and is dripping with talent. A defender that can and will get physical when the need arises, and has very good speed for a defensive player, she can hold her own against varsity-aged girls already. Currently in NAL, she's got the skill to jump to GA or ECNL. She's got a good, strong leg, and often handles goal kicks and free kicks for her team. She's played a few different positions, but looks the best on the defensive end, and can handle the pressure being CB, and looks equally impressive handling more ball control duties at the 6, yet also has the speed that she can play OB on either side as well. She's known to press forward and chip in on offense on occasion as well. Her playing style and experience in the back is going to do well for her in HS, and many college coaches will be lining up to see a player that can play anywhere on D and make you a better team.     Malin plays for a strong club team, [program_tooltip program_id='278061' first='Maryland' last='United'], and a weaker HS team in the area, so she gets both the experience of being part of a talented group and being a player that really gets leaned on. I think both help make for well-rounded players. She's a 5'5, physical defender, plays CB and CDM, and from the times I've seen her live has a cannon for a leg, takes corners routinely, and is very consistent on her location. She carried the ball well out of the zone and made good passes to start the attack. On Defense she took good angles and slid and adjusted well when on defense. Looks to be able play any defensive position, and who doesn't want a CB who can carry the ball? Yes, I'm talking to the many coaches who keep asking me if I know any. Here's one.     This one is a deep dive for those really paying attention. Elena is a supremely talented defender, experienced CB, playing for [program_tooltip program_id='278061' first='Maryland' last='United']. She's 6'0, shes got decent speed, plays the ball well. If that wasn't enough to intrigue you, she was in the mix for the US ID Camps. This is a kid who would be high in the national rankings if she hadn't had a run of bad luck. She's coming off some ACL injury issues, but from what I've heard, is progressing well and the right way in recovery, and looks like she will be 100% after. She's got what you are looking for in a power 4 prospect; the only unknown is how much the injury slowed down her recruiting schedule. June 15th is coming up for her, and my recommendation is that someone has her on speed dial that night.     I don't often do a pair of sisters in the same post, but I thought it would be fun. Hazel is also a defender/mid for [program_tooltip program_id='278061' first='Maryland' last='United'], and has the potential to be every bit as strong as her sister. She's already in the US ID program, has great size at 5'8, and owns the field when she's out there. She's fluid, makes good decisions, and moves the ball well. She's on my list to see more of soon. I had something scheduled, but the weather had other plans. From people I've talked to, she's the real deal and should be creeping into the national rankings soon.    I've got more, but I don't want to throw too much into one post, so I'll continue the series and check out some offense next, and then I'll circle back to some more defenders in the area, including some rising freshmen in Bethesda who are making their debut in the US ID Camp program. This is a good mix of stand-out prospects and under-the-radar players, who would be on that stand-out list if they were on different teams. With the age group change coming next year, there will be a lot of movement, and I wouldn't be surprised to hear much more about these girls after that point.

Continuing our look at the postseason and break before Fall, this post looks at some of the standout defensive players winding down their seasons. Defenders are at a premium in today's game, with many coaches constantly on the hunt for them. Number one on the wish list are CB with good ball skills, who can help build out and break the press. These players are so in demand that coaches aren't limiting their search to existing defensive players; they are also looking at offensive players up the middle who have some defensive skills. One coach I talked to said, "I can teach an offensive player with good foot skills how to play solid defense, but it's much harder to get a good defensive player to develop the foot skills I need for them to effectively build out of the back." In addition to sturdy, physical CB, speedy OB are a necessity on higher-tier teams, as the forwards and wingers on those teams tend to have elite speed, and slower OB just get blown past. The last piece of the field player defensive puzzle is the defensive midfielder, or the 6, as commonly referred to. These players are the key to transitioning from defense to offense, and the first line of defense when the ball comes back the other way. They are a key part of the spine of any team.