Soccer – Tactics

Basics of the Back Four

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Practice Examples (2)

B2. Defensive conduct in attacks via center positions

Defensive conduct in attacks via center positions

B2

In our example, the coach gives the command “2”. The attack takes place on the left center position. A general movement of the players in the back four versus the ball occurs.

Defender B attacks attacker B. The defenders A, C and D orientate in direction of the ball and at the same time observe the attackers located in their starting zone.

The sequence in our illustrated example:

  • The coach cries signal “2”.
  • Defender B attacks attacker B.
  • Defender A advances to the left side of zone 2, in order to secure the left back space behind defender B. At the same time he keeps an eye on attacker A, to be ready for a timely reaction, if need be.
  • Defender C advances to the right side of zone 2. At the same time he keeps an eye on attacker, to be able to react on time if required.
  • Defender D advances in zone 3. At the same time he keeps an eye on attacker D, to be able to react on time if necessary.

Attacker D may be neglected at this point in time. He is essentially more dangerous as in an attack from the other side of the field but still the attacker with the largest distance to the ball.

And this is how the defence shift if the attack occurs from the right center position.

Attack occurs from the right center position

B2

C. Dynamic shifting of the defence

Dynamic shifting of the defence

C

The defenders pass a ball to each other within the marked zone.

This requires a dynamic shifting of the individual defenders.

The sequence in our illustrated example:

We again start with an attack whereby the ball is located in zone 1. Attacker A passed the ball to attacker B in zone 2. The defenders shift in direction of the ball. We already learned in example B which positions are to be taken in these conditions.

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