Marking

When the other team has the ball, the defending team needs to mark their opponents.  Marking is when a player stays close to an opponent in order to make it difficult for him to receive a pass. If the defending team leaves a player unmarked, that player can receive a pass and score.

Marking is often an unrewarded activity, though it’s very important.  If you watch closely you can begin to appreciate the amount of effort and teamwork required for marking. If only one player on the team fails to mark an attacking player, it can lead to a goal, even if everyone else on the team is marking properly.

Sample Page from Soccer Guide for Parents: