Defender facts for kids

A defender is someone who protects or stands up for something or someone. In many areas of life, people act as defenders. For example, a defender might protect a goal in a game or help someone in a legal situation.

Defender in Sports

Football (Soccer)

In association football (also known as soccer), a defender is a player whose main job is to stop the opposing team from scoring goals. They play in front of their own goalkeeper. Defenders work together to protect their team's goal.

There are different types of defenders:

• Centre-backs play in the middle of the field, directly in front of the goal. They are usually strong and good at heading the ball. Their main task is to block shots and clear the ball away from the goal.
• Full-backs play on the sides of the field. They defend against attackers on the wings and also help their team attack by running down the sides and crossing the ball.
• Wing-backs are similar to full-backs but have even more attacking duties. They need a lot of stamina to run up and down the field.
• Sweepers are less common now. They play behind the other defenders, acting as a last line of defense before the goalkeeper.

Good defenders need to be strong, fast, and able to read the game well. They must also be good at tackling and passing the ball.

Ice Hockey

In ice hockey, a player called a defenceman has a role similar to a football defender. Their main job is to prevent the opposing team from scoring goals. They play mostly in their own defensive zone. Defencemen also help to start offensive plays for their team.

Defender in Law

Public Defender

In the United States, a public defender is a lawyer who works for the government. Their job is to provide legal help to people who are accused of a crime but cannot afford to hire their own lawyer. The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees that everyone has the right to a lawyer. If someone cannot pay for one, the government must provide a public defender.

Public defenders represent their clients in court. They make sure their clients' rights are protected. They also try to get the best possible outcome for their clients. This might mean arguing for a not guilty verdict or a lighter sentence.

Defendant

In Scots law, which is the legal system in Scotland, a person who is being sued in a civil case is called a defendant. A civil case is about disagreements between people or groups, not about crimes. The defendant is the person who has to defend themselves against the claims made by the person suing them.

Defender in Technology

Windows Defender

Windows Defender is a security program made by Microsoft. It comes built into Microsoft Windows operating systems. Its main job is to protect your computer from harmful software. This includes spyware, malware, and viruses.

Windows Defender works in the background to scan files and programs. It looks for anything that might harm your computer. If it finds something suspicious, it warns you and helps to remove it. This helps keep your computer safe while you are online or using different programs. It is an important tool for protecting your digital information.

Related pages

• All pages beginning with Defender
• Defenceman

Images for kids

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  A robot for kids.

In Spanish: Defender para niños