Defending in the Defensive Third "Role of the Defensive Block"
Defending in the defensive third falls primarily on the fullbacks as they for the ones who form the defensive block. The role of the defensive block is the most complex because their responsiblities change as the ball moves through different thirds of the field. As the ball moves through the field the defensive block must adjust accordingly.
Working as a defensive block when the ball is in the Attacking third
When the ball is in the attacking third, the ball is pretty far away so the situation is less dangerous for the fullbacks. The defensive block must be cautious to maintain focus though as a quick win and counter attack by the opponent can change a game. A counter attack goal as the only goal of the game has been the difference between a win and a loss on more than one occasion When the ball is in their attacking third, the defensive block needs to maintain focus on where the forwards are, what they are doing and what the opponent is doing in the attack. If a long ball is played, through the air, into the defensive third the players in the defensive block must be able to step up and challenge for the ball, if not outright win it. When the ball is in the flanks, if a long cross is attempted the fullbacks must be able to adjust and challenge this as well.
When the ball is the attacking third, the opponent's forwards will be looking to either check back to the ball or be trying to work behind the defense. To restrict the forwards movement and limit their attacking space, when the ball is in their attacking third, the defensive block should pick their line and hold it somewhere near the top of the attacking third or in the middle third. By holding their line they are accomplishing two things. First and foremost holding a line limits gaps behind the defense which the forwards can move into while staying onside. This is extremely dangerous because the player will remain onside but be in a position where he can get in towards the goal with little or no pressure. When stepping and playing flat there are no gaps as the back line is "holding their line" and all players are horizontal across the field.. Secondly by pressing and holding their line, they force the forwards away from the goal. This compacts the attacking space for the opponent, putting more pressure on them due to the tighter spaces. (Diagram 1)
It is important to understand that as the ball approaches the defensive block, this flat (horizontal) line can work into a diagonal to provide pressure cover and balance to the defensive system of play. Not all teams need to play an agressive flat four. The flat four is designed to offer cover and balance to all player putting pressure on the ball. At times this means playing flat, such as when stepping and holding the line, while at other times it means being on a diagonal to give cover to a more dangerous attacker(Diagram 1a)
Finally, stepping when the forward checks is a great way to limit the attacking space. When the defensive block is holding the line against the forwards and the forward checks into space, it is important for the fullbacks to step with the forwards. As the forward checks into this space and receives a long pass from the fullbacks, the defensive block can step to pressure the ball as well as provide cover. The other benefit to stepping is that a deep checking forward will withdraw into space and as the defensive block steps the other forwards will be forced to step with them, else they will be offsides. (Diagram 1b and 1c)
Diagram 1: Pressing, playing flat and holding the line |
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Pressing as a defensive block. As the ball is with the fullback in the attacking third the defensive third has pressed and taken away space. The outside fullbacks are stepping to hold with the central fullback to prevent the forwards from pushing into space behind the central defenders. It can be seen that the back four our now holding the line. This is one of the occasions when the flat four is truly flat. Before stepping, the right fullback had left space between himself and the central fullback which could allow an attacker to maintain onside position yet be behind the central fullback. |
Diagram 1a: Defending versus diagonal runs behind the defense. |
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As the forward make the diagonal run behind the defense the outside fullback goes with and forces him back inside preventing him from going endline and serving a ball. Certainly he should win it when possible, but when not possible, he should position himself to not be eliminated from play and should pressure and show to cover forcing back to the inside. As the outside fullback goes with the ball the left central fullback is providing cover but is still in close proximity to the other forward; provides cover while still marking the central fullback. The right central fullback does the same and the outside right fullback tucks in to balance the line. It can be seen that they form a diagonal and are not flat. |
Diagram 1b: Pressure / Cover / Balance off the receiving forward |
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A long ball is knocked into the target forward. As the ball is played in the central fullback steps into the space to challenge and wins the ball. The central fullback should be fairly certain that when they step they are going to win possession. Otherwise staying goal side but challenging in the air or on the ground with a tackle will be the smarter decision. If he doesn't win it and is beat he has left his teammates with a bit of a struggle. As the fullback steps the rest of the block curves into cover and balance again forming two diagonals or a "V" |
Diagram 1c: Stepping with the checking forward |
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The attacking forward checks into space to win the ball from the left fullback. As he checks the central fullback goes with attempting to keep him from turning. If he can step and win of course he should, but not at the expense of being beaten. As he steps the rest of the block steps providing cover and balance, again forming two diagonals or a "V" Notice the second forward must step as well in order to say onsides. The defensive block is able to pressure the ball, maintain cover and take space away by playing aggressively and as a unit. |
Working as a defensive block when the ball is in the Middle Third
When the ball is in the middle third, the forwards are far more dangerous because the ball is closer to the goal they are trying to score on. Because this is the case, the defensive block must be far more attentive as the forwards are only one pass away from receiving and going to goal. The central backs are the core of this block and are responsible for marking the opponents forwards much of the time. Any time the forwards work centrally the central fullbacks must be providing pressure and cover off the forward closest to the ball. Because space is so tight, communication is very important; the two central backs must mark the forwards and be able to shift and move effortlessly between pressure and cover while marking the opponents forwards.
As the ball works outside into the flanks, and the forwards check outside, the fullbacks are also responsible for marking them. When the forwards work to the outer area of the field and the central backs pass them off, the responsibility of marking falls on the outside fullbacks to mark the forwards. (Diagram 2) If the ball is central, the outside fullbacks should squeeze a bit to the middle to compress the defense. (Diagram 2a) When the ball moves outside they should flex a bit dropping off to gain more width.
The role of the fullbacks becomes more complex as other players join the attack. In the flat back four the outside fullbacks are also responsible for stepping to pressure when the opponent attacks, unpressured in the outside flanks. As there are four players in back, the outside backs can step to pressure knowing three defenders remain behind him. (Diagram 2b)
When the opponent attacks from the central midfield and is attacking unimpeded, the central fullbacks will need to be able to adjust in order to step to pressure this player. This is done to limit the attack from the midfield and to prevent the opponent from gaining more space. It will be more important to delay than to tackle immediately. First delay, then tackle when the opponent makes a mistake. It is better to have the extra man on defense than to tackle carelessly and hopefully win the ball but may also be easily beaten. (Diagram 2c)
Diagram 2: Stepping with checking forwards. |
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The ball is in possession of the attacking right midfielders and the forwards are making runs towards the ball. The left central fullback who was marking the forward passes him off to the outside fullback as that forward works outside. He drops into cover to help his teammate. The right central fullback is marking the second forward and drops in a bit to provide balance but also mark the forward. He can pass the second forward off to the left central fullback if needed. The curved run from pressure to cover by the central backs allows the backs to provide cover but at the same time take away the passing lanes. It can again be seen they form a diagonal in back. |
Diagram 2a: Defending when the ball is in the central midfield |
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The ball is with the central attacking midfielder The left central fullback marks tightly as his forward is most dangerous due to proximity to the ball. The right central fullback is also tightly marking but a bit dropped off to provide cover. The left and right fullbacks have squeezed to provide cover and balance to the central fullbacks. It can be sent that the defensive block forms a "V"and their line is not very steep. This prevents gaps for forwards to work into where they can stay onside yet be behind a mark. |
Diagram 2b: Stepping and pressuring versus attacking fullbacks |
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The fullbacks create and the outside left midfielder attacks unmarked The left fullback must leave his man and aggressively defend into the middle third or the top of the defensive third. As the outside midfielder is attacking unimpeded he must present immediate but controlled pressure. The run is curved to force him back inside where the strength of the defense lies. The left central fullback steps to tightly mark the first forward as he is extremely dangerous now that the midfielder is attacking unmarked. The right central fullback curves to cover, (he is still marking the second forward from cover) and the right fullback provides balance. Notice the right outside midfielder drops in as well to take away the long diagonal ball over the top of the defense. |
Diagram 2c: Stepping to an attacking, unpressured midfielder. |
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A midfielder breaks out of the middle unmarked. The central fullback steps to provide immediate pressure, curving his run forcing the ball back to his strength, the inside where he has numbers. The outside left fullback steps to pressure his forward, the right central fullbacks steps to provide cover (while marking forward #2) and the right fullbacks tucks in to provide cover. The defensive diagonals stay intact, pressure cover and balance is reestablished. Notice also; the outside midfielders are dropping to take away space to get behind the ball. The beaten central midfielder does not chase as he has no hope of catching the attacking midfielder, but instead recovers straight back to the middle. |
Working as a defensive block when the ball is in the Defensive Third
When the ball has entered the defensive third the defensive block must work as a cohesive unit to dictate play and limit quality opportunities for the opponent. When the opponent's forwards possess in the central area, it is primarily the job of the central fullbacks to prevent the forwards from scoring. The two forwards must work together against the opponents forwards providing pressure and cover as the ball moves between the forwards. As the ball moves, the two defenders must track with the forward or switch and then switch from pressure to cover (see role of first defender and second defenders for more specific details on these roles). Because the central fullbacks are marking, the outside fullbacks will squeeze, moving towards the center of the field to provide cover and balance to the central fullbacks. (Diagram 3) The outside fullbacks must also be able to get to the flanks quickly, so understanding the opponents skill and speed and knowing where to be positioned is important for the outside fullbacks. By positioning themselves properly they will be able to provide cover but also be mobile and able to pressure any ball played wide to an attacking player.
Diagram 3 |
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Squeezing to pressure the forwards The ball is with the right attacking forward. The left center back is pressuring, the right center back provides cover and the outside fullbacks squeeze to the middle to add pressure to the forwards. The right center fullback is able to provide cover but also is in position to step and pressure the second forward if he is to receive a pass from the other forward. Notice all four fullbacks are within the eighteen yard box extended. |
Diagram 3a: |
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Adjusting when the ball is played to the flanks The ball begins with a forward who plays to the outside midfielder who tries to create as the forward makes a run to get behind the defense. The outside right fullback steps and pressures the ball. The right central fullback goes with the running forward as he is the man responsible for marking. He is also somewhat providing cover to the right fullback. As the right central fullback goes, the left central fullback and outside left fullback curve their runs to provide cover and balance to the defense. The defensive player's hips should be open to the field to effectively clear a ball wide as opposed to a clear over the endline for a corner kick. |
Forcing the ball inside versus forcing the ball outside
The decision on where to force the ball, when it in the flanks is a difficult one. Should the ball be forced away and outside to prevent a shot on goal but possibility allow the serve, or should it be forced to the middle where the strength of the defense is but also where the goal is? There is no correct answer to this question and it is one that should be decided upon and emphasized. Then this will become the way the defense plays when it can. A team will be known as a team that forces outside and is great against the serve, or be known as a team that forces the ball inside, to the strength of its defense, and is relentless in pressuring the ball, and is, therefore, difficult to score on. Teams will always, over the course of the game, force the ball both towards the middle and towards the flanks, however having a style of play makes it easier to organize the defense over the course of the game.
Diagram 3b: |
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Forcing outside in the defensive third; forcing the ball away from the goal The left fullback is forcing the forward outside away from the goal. The advantage lies in the ball being outside and away from the goal making a shot difficult. However, this makes the serve into the middle of the field more likely. It can be seen that the serve is bending back but is behind the defensive block. It is also clear that as the play progresses the midfielders are framing the goal and defenders will be working back to defend against the serve. The main disadvantage with forcing the ball outside lies with dealing with the serve as it is played in. The runners from the attacking team can run onto the ball moving forward, while the defense will at times be recovering and thereby facing there own goal making it more difficult to clear the serve. |
Diagram 3c: |
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Forcing inside in the defensive third: bringing the ball back to your team but towards the goal. The left fullback is now forcing the forward in possession back to
the inside of the field and to the strength of his defense. The left
fullback has shows to cover where the left central fullback provides
cover. The right central fullback is dropped off a bit balancing his
team and the right fullback is tucked in to provide balance as well. The advantage in forcing inside lies in the strength of numbers. To beat the defense and go to goal the attacker would have to beat at least two and probably three or four defenders. The disadvantage of forcing inside lies in forcing the attacker toward the goal. Quality combination play, or a very good tricky attacker can beat the defense to create a shot on frame. |
The role of the keeper in the defensive block
The keeper is the final part of the defensive block. His role when the ball is in the attacking third is to be active in directing his team's organization on defense, as he can see the whole field. He also serves as a sweeper in this role. When the block presses, he can and should be off his line. He will then be in position to win long through balls which he can either possess if there is time or clear if there is high pressure..
As the ball advances into the middle third, he must be much more aware of being chipped and therefore nearer to his line. He will still have to play the role of sweeper from time to time and use his feet to clear. From time to time he will need to be aggressive off his line to win the long central through ball. He must be constantly aware of what is going on and position himself properly. As the ball moves through the middle third, the keeper is essential in directing his players, especially his defensive block and his midfield block as he can see the whole field. He must be talking, communicating and telling his teammates exactly where they need to be.
As the ball advances into his defensive third, near his goalbox, the keeper must play the role of the true keeper and be solid with both his footwork and his hands. On serves into the box, it must be his box and he must own it. On shots he needs to be solid and make the basic and difficult saves. He needs all the tools of the traditional keeper.
Because of the complexity of the system, a keeper in the flat back system needs all the tradional tools of the keeper as he will be on his line and called upon to make the traditional saves. He must also have the skills of the field player, able to read the game, win through balls and limit the attack.
Ten session progression for training the flat four
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