PRINCIPLES OF A DEFENSIVE BLOCK
WIDTH,, HEIGHT & SPACING
STAGGERING
SHIFTING
COMMUNICATION
COGNITION
PRESSING
REFERENCE POINTS
TRIGGERS
[SHIFTING]
Principle that comes into effect in reaction to ball movement; either out wide (horizontal shifting) or backwards (vertical shifting).
Defensive lines move along to mark opponents in newly assigned zone, to cover after ball movement (trigger). Defenders leave original position to shift to another.
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[Horizontal SHIFTING]
belenenses vs sporting screenshot
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[Vertical SHIFTING]
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[STAGGERING]
A set-up in which players defend on different heights and widths in order to defend spaces and lanes more efficiently. This is done in relation to teammates, ball, opponent and space.
In practice, the defensive shape looks tilted towards the ball, denying inward or diagonal passing lanes.
Staggering is naturally linked to pressing; as the shape traps the ball out wide (in a 180° environment).
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[STAGGERING]
STAGGERING (easier to close down passing lanes & press in between)
NO STAGGERING (distant pressing & out-to-in passes allowed)
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[WIDTH]
The horizontal length of the pitch a team defends, directly linked to compactness.
This dynamic is balanced out by the amount of defenders; e.g. 40 metres is more easily occupied by a backline of five rather than four.
One or two lines (defensive or midfield) defend width with subsequent pressing traps out wide (for example versus creative full-backs).
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[WIDTH]
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[HEIGHT]
The geometrical height (determined by the space vacated in behind) the last line holds.
Traditionally, low blocks stay on the penalty box line (as a reference point).
Line height changes as teams shift vertically; after regaining possession or back pass.
Line height influences the space in which opposition players can run or attack.
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[HEIGHT]
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[SPACING]
Geometrical distances between players in a structure. Paramount foundation for good pressing and denial of space between the lines.
Spacing is defined by the formation (4-2-3-1 or 5-3-2).
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[SPACING]
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[TRIGGERS]
Action (loose touch/pass) or pattern (pass to full-back) of the opposition which triggers the team into a counter-action (press).
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[TRIGGERS]
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Matic has a limited turning radius and limited passing angles, so him receiving is a trigger to press.
[PRESSING]
Compressing the comfort zone of a ball carrier by intruding it.
Limits space and time of player, forcing into losing ball or harmless pass.
Consequence after unsuccessful press: recovery - limit time span needed to recover/fall back into original shape after press.
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[PRESSING]
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During this higher press, the passing lanes are cut off by others or the pressing player (in this case #32 = shadow cover). Others remain in access in anticipation of breakthrough pass (#28/#8).
[REFERENCE POINTS]
Consistent points on the pitch to which players can reference themselves to in order to press or position.
Fixed: lines (penalty box) or goalposts (youth football: wide players don’t come inside the posts)
Moving: ball, teammates (straight lines in 4-4-2: easier to coach), opponent, space
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[COGNITION]
Mental aspects for players such as concentration, coordination and discipline.
CONCENTRATION stagnates after ~70 minutes, goal: extending its span.
COORDINATION is helped by reference points.
DISCIPLINE stimulated by interest/investment in coach’s philosophy or game importance.
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[COMMUNICATION]
Communicating on the pitch; passing on moving opposition players (for example striker dropping between the lines: centre-back tells midfielder).
Goalkeeper can never remain relaxed/out of the game: his/her task is to transfer information (space-, opponent-, teammate-related) due to naturally broad field of view.
Non-verbal communication: pointing and signalling (initiation of pattern)
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[COMMUNICATION]
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Capoue points to Lingard and notifies Hughes of him roaming in his blindside; in this zonal set-up, opposition players are passed on to be marked in the defending side’s separate zones.