The Movements of the Back Line Pt. 2
How to deal with central balls played inside the defensive third
In the previous article, “The movements of the back line pt. 1”, I presented and explained the different keys necessary to read and react central balls played in a higher zone of the field.
In this presentation, I will discuss the behaviours I believe are appropriate to defend central, playable balls close to our goal. I will adopt the same approach to the game that directs the movements of the defensive unit according to the movements of the opposition. Keeping this in consideration, the back line will maintain the same preferences:
Ball – Goal – Opponent – Teammate
instead of:
Ball – Goal – Teammate – Opponent.
We also have to remember the first key read, the main discriminant I would say, that dictates the movements of the line itself: the difference between “open” and “close” ball. As mentioned before, an “open” ball is a ball playable towards our goal, whereby the opponent in possession of the ball will be facing the goal that we are defending.
A “close” ball, on the other hand, means that the opponent in possession is turned towards his own goal. This distinction will dictate, initially, the approach that our defenders will adopt.
It is crucial to understand how the close distance, to the goal that we are defending, means that our defenders have less space and time to react effectively to the opposition’s manoeuvres.
Considering the high level of risk, we need to make sure that our players fully comprehend the positional organisation and the responsibilities for each member of the unit for this type of scenarios.
Like every other defensive situation, my main instruction to the defenders is to keep everything in front, always opting to cover the space in behind the line.
In some cases, this instruction will result in conceding more space to the opponent to play in front of the defensive line. The players have to be aware of this and be comfortable adjusting and reacting according to the situations.
CENTRAL “OPEN” BALL IN THE DEFENSIVE THIRD, PLAYED FORWARD
In this scenario, the opposition is in possession of the ball, entering our defensive third. Just like the previous situations, the opponent deploys two strikers. If we are not being strict with the formations we can also say that one of the offensive midfielders has joined the striker up front.
The line of our midfielders will be closer to the defensive unit, making the team “short”, limiting the freedom of the offensive players to play between the lines. The full backs have to be closer to the centre-backs, adopting a posture that will allow them to face the ball and, at the same time, to run towards the goal (Img. 1).
This will allow the two centre-backs to be more aggressive and to step forward if needed since they can benefit from the cover offered by the full backs. You might that our fullbacks turn their backs to the opposition’s wingers but, in my defensive principles, the defence of the goal comes before the defence of the wide areas. With that said, it is a deliberate choice to support the centrebacks in the middle, rather than engaging the winger in a wide area. I will explain how to deal with a ball delivered into the space behind the fullback in another article.
(Img. 1)
As displayed in the image below (Img. 2), the two offensive players will perform two different runs:
a) The ball is played to the feet of the striker who is coming towards the ball (number 10);
b) The ball is played to the player who is attacking the depth (number 9).
(Img. 2)
The priority of the defensive line will always be to prevent to be beaten in the space in behind. However, considering the distance to the goal, the goalkeeper comes into play by assisting the defenders in case of a ball delivered into the box.
The goalkeeper’s support also contributes to a more aggressive approach from the centre-backs.
SCENARIO A BALL PLAYED TO THE STRIKER COMING SHORT
The first scenario in consideration foresees a ball played to one of the two offensive players, who will perform a long-short movement moving towards the ball (Img. 3).
(Img.3)
If the striker runs towards the ball it is crucial that the centre-back directly engaged steps up. He must always keep in consideration that he has to reduce, if not deny, time and space to opponent, since the close distance to our goal would make it really hard for the defenders to react and control any possible gap in the defensive line.
The defensive unit always has to operate respecting one of my key defensive principles:” The closer they are to the goal we are defending the shorter is the safety distance ’ available to them ”.
Moving from this principle, it is vital that the defender who steps up is extremely quick to engage and win the 1 vs 1 duel with the striker. The rest of the defensive line will reduce the distance between the remaining members of the unit, creating the defensive pyramid (Img. 4).
The posture of the fullback deployed on the side of the ball will change based on the control of the opponent who receives the ball, and also by the type of the 1 vs 1 that the centre-back will engage.
The fullback on the other side should adopt a posture that allows him to face the entire field, granting him the ability to see and deal with possible balls played to the winger on his side, and also to support the centre-back engaged with the second striker that attacks the goal.
(Img. 4)
SCENARIO B BALL PLAYED TO THE STRIKER ATTACKING THE SPACE IN BEHIND
If the ball is directed to the striker that attacks the space in behind, exploiting the gap created by the other offensive player who went towards the ball, the positions and the approach adopted by the defensive unit is crucial.
As mentioned before, when the ball is that close to our goal, the full backs will assume a position closer to the centre backs. They will face the ball, always ready to run back towards the goal, and create the “defensive funnel”.
The two centre-backs will position themselves closer to the two strikers, but they are also ready to run back towards the goal to cover the space in behind. The whole defensive unit will also benefit from the help provided by the goalkeeper, which will limit the chances of a direct attack.
The priority will always be the defence of the goal, allowing something more on the outside. Considering this crucial principle, the priority of the fullbacks will be the support of the centre-backs.
In the case presented in the image below (Img. 5), one of the two centre-backs steps up, marking the striker who goes towards the ball, leaving a gap for the second offensive player. The rest of the line, fullbacks included, will run towards the goal preventing a ball directed into the box.
(Img. 5)
The fullback on the side of the centreback that follows the striker short has to read and react to the situation. His first responsibility is to support the centreback in pressing on the striker who goes short.
However, if the player in possession of the ball, shows a body language that indicates that he might opt for a long ball, then the fullback has to run back towards the goal to support the other central defender (Img. 6).
The same fullback has the freedom to go for an eventual anticipation or interception if he is able to make the play.
The fullback on the opposite side follows the run of the centre-back who goes with the striker that attacks the goal.
His responsibility is to pick up the striker if he performs a counter-movement that allows him to get behind the central defender.
(Img. 6)
As displayed in the image above, the centre-back follows the run of the striker who attacks the box, while the two
full backs support the defensive intervention. In this specific case, my instruction to the centre-back is to never attempt to anticipate the striker unless it is a sure anticipation; the risk of mistiming the intervention and conceding a goal is too high.
Instead of anticipating I generally ask the centreback to follow the striker, always maintaining a position between the ball and the goal. This instruction aims to delay the possible actions of the striker, while we provide more support with the rest of the members of the defensive unit.
There are more complex situations, in which a combination, or a serious of passing combinations, may lure our defenders out of position. Below there are three scenarios that are more likely to happen in this zone of the field:
- Ball played to the striker who comes short, he lays it off to a teammate, teammate then plays a direct ball;
- Ball played to a striker, striker lays it off to the second offensive player dropped back in support;
- Ball played to a striker while the other offensive player performs a counter-movement to attack the space in behind.
SCENARIO 1
The first situation is a classic scenario also known as: “ Ball forward – Ball back – Ball in behind”.
It is probably the most efficient play to destabilize the defensive unit since there are passes at different “heights” that can confuse the defenders. The defenders have to decide whether to step up for the short pass, or run back and cover the depth (Img. 7).
(Img. 7)
Respecting the principles explained to this point, the defenders will react to the short pass by creating the defensive pyramid, forcing the striker, who has gone short, to play into traffic.
As soon as the offensive player (number 10 in the image above) lays the ball off to a teammate, the defensive line will recognise it as the trigger to drop and cover the depth.
The centre-back who stepped out of the line to put pressure on the striker who went short, quickly passes on the striker to the holding midfielder (number 4 in the image), to then return to the defensive line (Img. 8).
(Img. 8)
The fullback on the side of the ball (number 2 in the image above) has to be patient and react to the development of
the opposition’s manoeuvre.
In fact, if he drops towards goal as soon as the striker lays the ball off, he would allow the winger on his side to receive the ball and attack the goal. In case of lay off on his side of the field, the fullback has to change his posture, almost getting in line with the ball, while he faces the winger.
This change of posture is needed if the centre-back on his side manages to drop back in time and helps the other central defender. If the centre-back is unable to drop in time, the priority of the fullback will be to support the central defender who follows the striker that attacks the depth.
The priority is always to prevent being beaten in the space in behind.
SCENARIO 2
In this situation, we will discuss a quick combination that involves both strikers in the proximity of the penalty box and. The ball is played to one of the two offensive players, marked from behind by one of our two centre-backs. As the ball is played, the other striker drops and turns towards goal, in support of the other offensive player receiving the ball (Img. 9).
Since the rotation of the second striker is under the line of the ball, the defenders can be a little bit more aggressive. This is because nobody can attack the space in behind the defensive line at this stage.
(Img. 9)
The rotation under the ball will engage the other centre-back (number 6 in the image 10) to pressure to the striker that provides support. The full back on his side will also shift over to provide cover.
Once the second offensive player (number 9 in the image 10) receives the ball, the priority is to defend the space in behind since he will be facing our goal and the striker who has laid off the ball will be keen to attack that space.
There is a strong possibility that the striker will use an ‘off-line’ manoeuvre to get behind the central defender that has engaged him.
At this stage, the centre-back (number 5 in the image below) must adopt a stance which limits the chances of the offensive player to get to his blind side, and also grant him to still have the ball in sight. The defender should never lose sight of the ball.
(Img. 10)
As illustrated in the image above, the first step of the centre-back, engaged by the first offensive player (number 5 blue and red number 10), is diagonal back. This instruction is to prevent a quick run to his blindside.
In fact, by moving diagonally back, the defender forces the striker to either widen his offline run or to change the type of movement, forcing him in front of the centre-back, where he will have a limited angle to shoot on goal.
Maintaining a posture that allows the defender to still have the ball on sight, the centre-back could also go for an interception, only if the fullback on his side grants him cover by absorbing the run of the striker.
The third option for the centre-back is to mark the striker tight, forcing him to step back receiving the ball into his feet. It is vital for the centre-back to establish early contact with the opponent, following him until he can be passed on to the full back.
The striker will be passed on only if the fullback is definitely able to absorb the run. At this stage the centre-back becomes responsible for the central channel, reducing the angle for a possible shot of the player in possession and also positioning himself in a great place to make an eventual interception (Img. 11).
Additional support can also be provided by the goalkeeper, who can come out and either anticipate or contrast the striker receiving the through pass. With the ball positioned so close to the box, the priority will be the defence of the goal.
(Img. 11)
SCENARIO 3
The final scenario concerns a situation whereby one offensive player moves towards the ball while the second striker attacks the space behind the defensive line, taking advantage of a short-long counter-movement.
With both the offensive players going short, the defensive unit can be tricked by stepping up to both players, allowing more space behind the line.
(Img. 12)
The defensive line must first recognize the type of run that the primary offensive player performs (number 10 red in the image 12). If the run has an angle that allows him a one-touch play behind the defensive line, then the defenders have to be ready to cover that space.
As we can see in the image, the centreback engaged by the first striker (number 5 in the image above), has to and pressure to the opponent. My instruction for both centre-backs, in this case, is to always take control of the inside shoulder of the opponent.
By doing so they will limit the strikers’ chances to create a shot or a through-pass towards the goal.
(Img. 13)
Just like in the previous scenarios, the priorities are to: defend the goal; avoid being beaten by a ball behind the line. In the image 13, we can see the approach of the second centre-back (number 6).
He initially follows the opponent on the short, adopting a posture that will allow him to face the ball, and, at the same time, to run towards the goal if needed.
It is important that, in this case, the central defender keeps the direct opponent (number 9) in his ‘chest’, in order to better control and force his movements.
If the centre-back can benefit from the cover of the fullback on his side, he can be more aggressive on the opponent.
Otherwise, he will have to be more cautious and try to anticipate the counter-movement of the striker by moving towards the goal, just before the opponent attacks that space.
The full backs will prioritize both the cover of the two centre-backs and the space behind the line, more so than eventual balls played towards the wingers.
In a case where the ball is even closer to the penalty box, the line will have to adopt a more aggressive approach, since the safety distance that the defenders will have to prevent a ball in behind will be very limited.
This more aggressive attitude means that the central defender who has to step up in pressure on the striker receiving the ball will have to reduce the gap between him and the opponent as quickly as possible, almost arriving on the ball at the same time as the adversary.
The rest of the unit has to narrow down the distances between the remaining players who must be ready to react to a possible run from the second striker.
One of the two defenders in the immediate proximity of the centre-back in pressure may have to double up on the striker in accordance with his oriented control and movement or attack a possible lay off a pass.
However, if the layoff pass is short and in front of him, the same central defender in pressing on the striker, can decide to continue the pressure onto the player who receives the pass.
It is important to remember that, until the offensive player in possession maintains control of the ball, the centre-back must pressure him, forcing him away from our goal.
I would like to present now a couple of defensive situations against three offensive players (two wingers and a striker).
In the first scenario, we have a central open ball not far from our penalty box.
The winger on the strong side (number 7) stays out wide to receive the ball into feet, the striker (number 9) comes towards the ball, while the winger on the opposite side (number 11) attacks the space behind the defensive line (Img. 14).
(Img. 14)
Even when we face a team who deploys three offensive players, I will ask my team to respect the principle mentioned before: the defensive line works as a unit but always in accordance to the positions of the opponents.
Moving from this principle the distances between the members of the defensive unit will vary depending on the width that the opposition’s attacking front will have.
This will create two situations of 1 vs 1 on the outside (full back against winger) and a 2 vs 1 in our favour in the middle (centre-backs versus striker).
It is clear that the distances between opponents and teammates will depend on: the zone of the field, how close or far is the ball from goal, by the position of the ball, if it is central or in a lateral zone. In the scenario illustrated in image number 14, the most dangerous ball is the diagonal ball to the winger who attacks the space in behind (number 11).
With that in mind, the full back on the far side will assume a posture that will allow him to see the line and the opponents, but always staying closer to the winger on his side, since the 2 vs 1 situation in the middle does not require a cover from the fullback.
The centre-back on the side of the ball will be more aggressive, with the freedom to go for an eventual interception, while the other central defender will stay central. He provides cover of the depth, since the striker’s movement can be preparatory for the run made by the winger on the weak side (number 11).
By doing so the centre-back who stays back (number 5), can intervene either on a long ball played towards the middle or can provide support to the fullback deployed on the weak side, in case of a direct ball aimed towards the flank (Img. 15).
(Img. 15)
The fullback on the strong side (number 3) will have to be close enough to the winger in order to engage him quickly in case of transmission and take him on a 1 vs 1. However, if the ball is played centrally to the striker going short towards the ball, the fullback will stay closer to the centre-back in pressure on the striker (number 6), to provide support (Img. 16).
(Img. 16)
We will now look at the defensive line’s optimal behaviour when facing a team that deploys three offensive players (two wingers and a centre-forward).
In this scenario, the opposition plays the ball to the winger on the weak side who comes between the lines, while the striker attacks the space behind the defensive line.
This scenario is more likely to occur when the midfielders unit and the defensive line are not short and compact, allowing gaps that can be exploited by the opposition.
(Img. 17)
In the picture above (image 17) we can see how the winger on the strong side (number 7) stays open to receive the ball into feet, to then engage a 1 vs 1 situation against the fullback on his side.
The striker attacks the space behind the centre-back positioned on the weak side (number 5), performing an ‘off-line’ run.
The winger on the weak side (number 11), exploit the space created by the striker to come inside; positioning himself between the two defensive lines. The central defender’s ability to read the game is now crucial.
In fact, considering the proximity to the goal, he must be able to understand the offline run of the striker and, at the same time, the movement of the winger coming inside.
The knowledge and preparation for these scenarios help solve the defensive problem in the quickest and most effective way.
The offline movement must be read and anticipated by the centre-back on the weak side (number 5 in the image 18), but he will benefit of the help provided by the fullback on his side. It is important that the central defender maintains contact with the striker all the time.
The fullback will come inside with the winger for a few yards, without breaking the defensive line. In fact, he will maintain the same alignment of the two central defenders.
In the exact moment when the ball is played to the striker, the fullback will let go of the winger to run towards goal, offering support to the centre-back engaged by the centre forward (number 5 in the img. 18).
(Img. 18)
If the ball is played into the feet of the winger who comes between the lines, the fullback on the weak side (number 2) will pass on the opponent to the centreback on his side (number 5) who will then step up in pressure, reducing the opponent’s time and space on the ball.
The fullback, positioned on the weak side, will then pick up the striker who has performed the offline movement (Img. 19).
(Img.19)
This type of reaction is only possible if the central defender has not already followed the striker moving offline. If the centre-back is already engaged by the striker, the fullback on the weak side will step out in pressure, limiting time and space on the ball to the winger (number 2 in the img. 20).
The central defender on the strong side (number 6) will, at first, support the other centreback, but he will then adjust his run to provide support to the fullback in pressure, once the ball is played to the winger who came inside.
The fullback on the strong side will shift towards the middle to provide extra cover, but he will also be ready to step up in case of an eventual lay off a pass to the winger positioned on the strong side (Img. 20).
(Img. 20)
In both cases, the defenders can decide if it is appropriate to leave the striker, that attacks the space, an offside position.
This choice, though, has to be an outcome of a good read of the scenario and cannot be a systematic decision. Once again, the key to being successful in all the defensive scenarios presented is the clear understanding of the principles, assignments and adjustments to the diverse situations. The players’ by football-intelligence plays a crucial role.
We, as coaches, have the duty to gradually develop, through training, the football-IQ needed to allow our players to put our ideas into actions. On one hand, the intellectual development can take a lot of time and effort.
On the other hand, though, this effort is the key element in providing confidence and awareness to our players. I am firmly convinced that without these qualities players are unable to communicate properly, making it impossible to successfully deliver any type of strategy on the field.
These articles are an expression of the principles that are the foundations of my football philosophy, collected through years of experience. I admit that even though I adjust the assignments and the adjustments based on the players I have available, the age groups (if I work with youth teams) and the league my team plays in, I try to remain true to my principles of play as much as I can.