Developing Play from the Back with Right Center Back (5)
/Showing how we can attack from the back through the right center back (5). The same can happen with our left center back. This is not an expected play so it can catch opponents out if we develop this idea.
We start with our attacking team shape of Phase 2 of the 5 phases. I am showing potential options of attack we can use and develop knowing we are covered behind so whichever center back gets forward they are confident they are covered. Here opponents play 4-4-2 then 4-3-3.
This is the attacking team shape (attacking “start position”) for a 3-3-1-3. Zone 14 is the area between the opponents back three or four and their midfield.. Here we develop play through (5). (2) and (7) go touchline wide to open up space inside / OR receive the pass wide. (5) has options, Pass wide, pass inside or run forward with the ball.
(5) attacks the open spaces created by teammates in front of him
Space clears for (5) to push up and attack. (8) clears the space inside by taking defender (F) away. (10) makes a
diagonal run into space to get free of (E). Either (2) or (8) drops in to fill in for (5) so (5) knows he is covered behind
so he has FREEDOM TO ATTACK.
Right center back (5) attacks from the back
(5) can feed (10) play inside defender (J) for (7), can play the diagonal pass to (9) who is off the shoulder of (H), the
long switch to (11), or continue his run and play combinations with his players around him. (2) covers for (5).
Opposite left center back (4) tucks inside once (5) has started to attack.
Combinations as (5) advances up the field
(C) presses (5), and (5) can now play a give and go with (10) or even (7). But here, (7) stays wide to keep defender (J)
wide. If defender (J) marks inside then (5) can play with (7) wide and continue you his run into the attacking third.
Striker (9) makes the blind side channel run
(9) Makes the diagonal run and (5) plays him in. (5) can advance into the box or be on the edge of it for any potential
clearances.
Combinations as (5) advances up the field
Defender (J) marks inside so now (7) is free. (5) attacks and plays to (7) who is free due to positioning on the
touchline, and (5) can still continue into the attack knowing he is covered behind. Now we have a 2 v 1 against defender left back (J).
Not showing the dropping back of defenders just to show how we can develop this this shows how we can attack
with a right center back from back to front but still be covered at the back. If it breaks down (5) just drop backs into
(2)s position. Now a shot or cross is available to (5).
We lose it but it’s just a small adjustment to recover back
Simple adjustment if the move doesn’t work so nothing is lost with allowing this freedom of movement forward.
The good part is this type of attacking movement is NOT EXPECTED by opponents.
Opponents play 4-3-3 / 4-5-1
This is the attacking team shape (attacking “start position”) for a 3-3-1-3. Zone 14 is the area between the opponents back
three or four and their midfield.. Here we develop play through (5). (2) and (7) go touchline wide to open up space inside /
OR receive the pass wide. (5) has options, Pass wide, pass inside or run forward with the ball.
Here are 9 ways to distribute from the keeper and play out from the back. We owe it to the players to teach them this as Young as is possible.
I work on this initially practicing all ways to get out. Have opponents only intercepting passes to begin. Then let it go free. When opponents win it back we work on the defending team condensing and defending correctly.
If three or four ways to develop play are done very frequently then it becomes a subconscious decision to move into position so no decision making required as such.
Subscribe to the Soccer Awareness Training Center to get access to all premium Training Center Exclusive articles.