Verdedigers

Verdedigers is a Dutch term meaning "defenders" and can refer to people who defend in various contexts. In everyday language it denotes individuals or groups that protect something or someone, or that oppose an attacker.

In sports, especially association football, verdedigers are the players who occupy the defensive line and are primarily responsible for preventing the opposing team from scoring. They work to maintain the team’s defensive shape, mark opponents, win tackles and headers, intercept passes, and distribute the ball to midfielders to initiate attacks. The position includes central defenders, who play in the middle of the back line, and full-backs or wing-backs, who operate on the sides.

In other contexts, a verdediger can be a legal advocate—the defense attorney or counsel representing a defendant in a court case. By presenting evidence, cross-examining witnesses, and arguing points of law, the verdediger seeks to safeguard the rights of the client and to counter the prosecution’s case. The term can also apply to defenders in other sports or security roles, where the focus is on protection and preventing harm. The plural form indicates multiple individuals serving in these protective functions.