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The movements of the back line Pt. 1

How to deal with central balls coming from a higher zone of the field.

Before we analyze in depth the various behaviors of the back line in relation to particular game situations, I would like to enlist the principles that are the foundations of my defensive unit based on the different approach adopted by our defenders.

The cases I will discuss in this article are based on a defense that works as a unit using the opponent as the main reference. Regardless of the reference that we choose, either ball or opponent, every movement presented has to keep in consideration the general principles of defending as a unit. In this case, though, the shifting and the distances of the cover will change based on the movements of the opponent. Moving from this idea our defensive unit will be oriented on the following preferences:

Ball – Goal – Opponent – Teammate, instead of: Ball – Goal – Teammate – Opponent.

The defensive unit that works in relation to the opponents, follows the same canonical principles proper of any other defensive unit, in addition to these principles though, we will need to add on some very important sub-principles that will dictate the behavior of each single player within the unit. The defender has to recognize the different game scenarios while respecting all the guidelines of the defensive unit conceived as a whole element, able to read, understand and interpret the situations in the same way.

I believe that, in order to develop players able to work in this type of unit, we need to start training the individual tactical skill of each single player, or to be more specific: positioning, postures, 1 vs 1, 2 vs 1, etc. This didactic progression is determinant to allow the player to recognize the different game scenarios, which, even if they will reoccur during the various training sessions, will always present variations due to the time, space, score, ability of the opponent, etc.

I will now present the didactical progression of the principles that I adopt to explain and prepare the defensive unit and the sub-principles that will guide the single players in the diverse scenarios of the defending phase. The principles designed for the defensive back line are as follow:

  1. Shifting: Forward, Back, Lateral and Diagonal;
  2. The “ Pyramid” : One defender steps (always checking the behavior of the opponent, if he passes the ball or holds it, plays a one touch pass or if he dribbles) and the other three defenders cover;
  3. Manage the Switch of Play: If it is in front or behind the line.

The sub-principles that will be explained to the defenders, in order to improve their individual tactical abilities, are as follow:

  1. Defending a One – Two in front;
  2. Defending a One – Two in behind;
  3. Defending a Movement of the striker on the blind side;
  4. Defending a Cut and the following interchange between the Fullback and the Centre-Back;
  5. Dealing with a Short – Long movement.

In each case that we will evaluate, we will keep in consideration the behavior of the single player and of the entire unit. These behaviors will change based on the approach necessary to deal with the scenario that we will design for the players, if they need to be more or less aggressive. One of the constant instructions that I introduce to my back line during the non-possession phase, is that with more depth to cover the defenders have to be less aggressive.

Because of this rule it will be crucial for the defenders to learn how to calculate the distances between the ball and the goal and between the opponent who is receiving the ball and the goal. These distances are very important for the simple reason that the less distance a defender has, the less time and space he has to react or make up for a mistake.

Now I will explain some realistic scenarios that reoccur during games. To put everybody on the same page I will also share some of the vocabulary that I use when it comes to football.

The first definition that I use, anytime I speak of non-possession phase, is the difference between “open” and “close” ball. This signification is the main clue that defines the behavior of my back line. With the term “open” ball, I refer to a ball playable down the field, therefore the opponent in possession of the ball is facing the goal that we are defending. On the contrary, I will refer to a “close” ball if the opponent in possession is facing his own goal.

CENTRAL “OPEN” BALL, PLAYED FORWARD

The opposition is in possession with an open ball placed in the centre of the field, in front of the line composed by the midfielders, therefore at a considerable distance from the back line, and far from the goal that we are defending, since it is behind the halfway line.

The opposition deploys two strikers that perform two movements, one comes towards the ball, or “short”, and the other use a short – long run to attack the depth behind the defensive line. We will now analyze the two different scenarios (Img. 1):

a) The ball is played to the feet of the striker who is coming towards the ball (number 9);
b) The ball is played to the player who is attacking the depth (number 10).

IMG 1

Due to the fact that the opposition is deploying two strikers, the four members of the back line have to play closer to each other, since there will be a 2 vs 2 situation in the middle. For this reason, the centre-backs will need more cover, on the same line, to avoid being beaten with a ball in behind, but also to prevent a movement of one of the two strikers, to the blind side of one of the two centrebacks.

To be more accurate, the defenders will have to position themselves with the correct posture, at the ideal distance from the strikers, to avoid being beaten with a ball in behind the line. This is usually the point where people ask me what is the correct distance?

In theory I could answer this question by saying that it is the distance that will allow a defender to cover depth and, at the same time, attack the player who goes short, if the ball is played into his feet. In reality, though, the distances change based on the physical, technical and tactical characteristics of the opponent and also of our defenders.

However, in principle, I like to remind to my defenders that the closer they are to the goal we are defending, the less is the “safety distance” allowed to take.

SCENARIO A BALL PLAYED TO THE STRIKER COMING SHORT

IMG 2

In this scenario the midfielder passes to the striker whom, after a long – short movement, comes towards the ball (Img.2).

In this case the defender directly engaged by the striker involved in the maneuver, steps up promptly, putting pressure on the opponent, denying time and space to play. At this stage the rest of the defensive unit will get “tighter”, assuming the defensive pyramid shape (Img. 3). The three defenders have to decide if it is safe to leave the second striker, the one who attacks the space in behind, in an offside position. This choice has to be an outcome of a good read of the scenario and cannot be a systematic decision.

The defender putting pressure on the striker, in our case number 6, will have to interpret the situation and engage the 1 vs 1 situation, which can be either with the striker back to goal, facing the goal or even with the striker stalling. The approach has to be aggressive until the opponent is in possession of the ball, following him even if he moves along the front of the attack. It goes without saying that if he drops towards the midfielders, the defender will pass him on to the nearest teammate. Once the striker gets rid of the ball, the defender has to get back in the line, occupying the first available position in the unit, until there will be a chance to reorganize the back line in its original setup.

According to the play that the striker in possession will choose, the defensive line will adopt a specific adjustment.

IMG 3

BALL PLAYED TO THE STRIKER ATTACKING THE SPACE IN BEHIND

In this case, the midfielder in possession of the ball has decided to reward the short – long movement of the striker that attacks the space in behind the back line (Img. 4).

IMG 4

The back line has to comply with the principle previously introduced, the simple equation that relates depth to aggression. The more space we have to cover in behind, the less aggressive our defenders will have to be.

Moving from this rule, the defensive unit has to master an exceptional ability to read, interpret and react to this type of attack, which foresees a ball in behind the line, since it is the most dangerous type of attacking maneuver.

My instruction to the back line, in this scenario, is to “run” creating, what in Italy is known as the “defensive funnel”, just before that the ball is played long.

This maneuver aims to decrease the space in behind to the opposition, without leaving the opponent totally unmarked. Of course, in order for this to work, also the midfield has to adjust to the movement of the back line, reducing the space available to play the ball to the players who come short and also to win any possible second ball.

Assuming that one of the two centrebacks steps up to prevent his man from receiving the ball, the rest of the unit will have to perform the “ defensive funnel ”, in order to limit the space available behind the defensive line (Img.5).

IMG 5

As we can see in the image above, the defensive unit prioritizes the coverage of the space in behind and of the goal. The defensive line has to be narrow, with the fullbacks running with a posture that will allow them to close down towards the goal but always facing the ball. This type of run performed by the fullbacks will allow the centre-back to be more aggressive on the striker who attacks the goal.

The priority is, and will always be: “Do not be beaten with a ball behind the line”. This approach is designed for maneuvers that start at a considerable distance from the goal we defend, the behavior of the defensive unit, and the team in general, will change once the opposition has possession in our half or in their final third.

I would like to present now a type of play that can be often confused by coaches and players, but it can happen quite often during matches, the quick ball in behind. At the moment one of the best players at performing this type of play is Kevin De Bruyne. I consider the Belgian player probably the best in delivering great deep passes, while his run is directed away from the goal his team is attacking to.

The defensive unit might read the scenario like the situation presented in Scenario A, or as a ball into feet of
the striker who comes towards the ball. This interpretation often misguides the back like, leading the unit to choose the cover of the defender who steps up to the opponent who goes short, rather than prioritize the cover of the space in behind the line.

In the example presented below (Img. 6), I have arranged the opposition in a 1 – 4 – 4 – 2 formation but, it goes without saying that, this scenario can present itself against any formation.

IMG 6

As we can see in the image above, one of the two strikers, lowers himself to find a clear passing lane with the teammate in possession. The defender who is directly engaged with him, follows the striker short. The angle of the run performed by the striker can be a trigger for the rest of the defensive unit, since the opponent will receive the ball with a posture that will allow him to face our goal (Img. 7)

IMG 7

If the rest of the back line will prioritize the cover of the defender in pressure, rather than the space in behind, they will allow an easy playable ball behind the line.

My instructions for this type of scenario are simple. The defenders have to recognize the type of run that the striker, who goes towards the ball, is doing. If the run gives the player a favorable angle to play the ball behind the line, the priority becomes the coverage of the space in behind and the goal.

As shown on the image below (Img. 8), the defender who follows the opponent short, disengages him once he is in line with the closest free midfielder. The other centre-back will engage the striker who attacks the space in behind, paying attention to the counter movement that the opponent might perform, such as a short – long or a short – out – long.

The fullback on the side of the centre-back that covers the space in behind, also makes a negative diagonal run towards the back post, in order to deprive the opposition of the depth. The fullback in question will prioritize the balls played towards the goal, rather than the balls played out wide to the winger. The main object and priority is always the protection of the goal.

The defender who stepped up in pressure and the fullback on his side, number 5 and 2 in the images, will both run back once the ball is played; this is to better manage any other solutions that the opponent on the ball might have, such as a pass to the winger near him, or a personal play (dribbling).

IMG 8

The scenarios presented are strongly related to the principles that are the foundations of my non-possession phase. I would like to add, though, that in order for these adjustments to work, it is necessary to always adapt the triggers, the timing and the movements of the defensive unit, based on the characteristics of the players available on the roster, since they will be the ones to execute the different strategies.

Only by considering the skills and features of the players available, we will be able to design successful strategies that will allow our players to be successful.

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