Defensive Rotational Recovery Positions - Training Center Exclusive

Due to our attacking rotations players are often out of position defensively when we lose the ball.

Here we show how players position to help each other and eventually work themselves back to their own natural positions on the team.

If they can learn this approach and understand how to cover for each other immediately this then really gives the team a wonderful means of attacking freedom and expression.

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We are in attacking mode: both wing fullbacks attacking

This is our attacking set up we are attacking in numbers, we have players in different positions from their traditional ones because we allow freedom of rotation. But here (8) passes to (10) but the ball is intercepted by opponent's player (A). Not enough room to put all opponent's players in but you get the idea.

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We attack and lose the ball

We lose the ball to player (A) who plays it forward to player (E). Now showing the start positions for the recovery and changing of positions depending on where the ball is played. This shows their positions initially and where they will move to. Its imperative (4) delays (E).

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We condense our defensive shape

This shows them after they have moved into their new defensive positions. Player positioning is now different defensively but it doesn’t matter as long as we can create our defensive shape which we have. Players recover in straight lines or the shortest route back to goal; or to the ball.

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How we press and recover and who does what, where and why?

Changes: Our Center back (4) is now a left wing fullback (3); our central defender (6) is a left center back (5); our left defender (5) is a central defender or deep defensive midfielder (6); our left back (3) is a center midfielder (8), our central midfield (8) is now defensive midfielder (6); our right wing fullback (2) is a right midfielder (7); our striker (9) is a number (10); our attacking midfielder (10) is in the wide left (11) position (and double teaming) and our wide left (11) is in the (9) position.

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Changes in previous diagrams:

To recap on the previous defensive recovery set up which was our offensive set up initially:

1. Our Center back (4) is now a left fullback 3;

2. Our defensive midfielder (6) is now a left center back 5;

3. Our right center back (5) is the same (or a deep lying number 6 position);

4. Our linking midfielder (8) is a defensive midfielder 6;

5. Our left back (3) is a center midfielder 8,

6. Our striker (9) is now a number 10;

7. Our attacking midfielder (10) is in the wide left position 11 and double teaming;

8. Our wide left striker (11) is in the (9) central striker position;

9. Our right fullback (2) is in 7s wide striker position but tucking in;

10. Our wide right striker (7) is in right fullback 2s position.

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How we press and recover and who does what, where and why?

Ball goes out of play, for example, the players then rotate back into their own positions; or any part of the game they have time to do this they must try to work back into their own positions. Here we are playing with the defensive midfielder (6) in behind the center backs but could also have him or her in front per the norm.

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The Moral of this?

• In developing and actively encouraging a team to play with incredible freedom and fluididity within the team framework set by the coach; we must also address what can go wrong defensively using this method of playing.

• It can leave us vulnerable to a counter attack especially.

• Through the freedom of movement players are often out of their own positions and may feel a little lost if we lose the ball as to where they need to go next?

• Often; for example: a fullback will attack up and down the field making a 50 yard run but dreading the 50 run back to their position if we lose the ball.

• If this is not addressed with the fullback; then that fullback may be less effective offensively; as the thought of all the recovery runs may put them off, plus it may also be too physically challenging for them over the course of a full game.

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By showing here how players can compensate for this, how to cover for each other, how to save energy; it will therefore encourage them to continue with their offensive style knowing they know how best to defend if they lose the ball.

And then that PERCEIVED WEAKNESS in the system of play may in fact be transformed into a REAL STRENGTH of the team.

To make this work though we need a team of UNSELFISH PLAYERS PREPARED TO WORK AND HELP EACH OTHER.

COACHES SHOULD SET THESE SITUATIONS UP IN TRAINING TO SHOW THE PLAYERS WHO DOES WHAT AND WHEN.

ATTACKING SHAPE, WITH MANY INTERCHANGES, THEN STOP THE ACTION, THROW ANOTHER BALL INTO THE OPPONENTS; AND THEN HAVE THEM STAND STILL IN POSITION; GIVING OUR TEAM TIME TO SEE HOW THEY CAN POSITION DEFENSIVELY IMMEDIATELY THEY LOSE THE BALL.

ONCE THEY CAN SEE HOW TO DO IT THEN MAKE IT LIVE AGAIN; AND THEN LET IT GO FREE.

Teaching Defending as a Team in an 11 v 11

The best form of attacking is expert defending.  As a team we need to improve on this. Therefore a big part of our game MUST be heavy pressing all over the field with ALL players tuned into the way to do it. Players on the opposite side of the field when the ball is with opponents especially should understand their roles and the need to condense the spaces.

Defending as a team in a 1-3-3-1-3 

Our set up is keeper (1), three center backs (4), (5) and (6) three midfield players (2, 3 and 8), that is right, left and center midfielders; a false nine (10), two wingers (7 and 11) and our central striker (9). I am avoiding calling (2) and (3) fullbacks or wingbacks because I want an attacking mentality in the players playing these positions. You could call them a “hybrid” of a wingback and a wide midfield player.

We set up in our defensive shape and the opponents pass the ball around. The coach decides when the pass is made to give our team time to adjust their positions and be able to show the players what is needed. So for example, (B) receives the ball and must keep it until we get our defensive team shape correct. Once the shape is correct the coach can shout go again.

Rules:

• Our team cannot tackle just shadow the ball to begin.

• Opponents must play 2 touches.

• If we win the ball to pass it to their keeper and they opponents start again with it OR we counter attack.

• It depends on What you want out of the session.

• For this I like the opponents to have the ball as soon we gain it to test our defending shape again.

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Set up cones for opponents to stand still beside

Opponents continue to stand still beside each of the designated cones. You can set up the cones based on the formation of the team you are playing next. We are marking both players and spaces.

Here we are a 1-3-4-2-1.

Movements of our team. (7) shows INSIDE to our Strength in numbers. (9) covers the back pass.(5) marks (K) CHANNEL side to put off (D) paying the long ball into the channel for (H) or (K) to run into. (11) drops in to add an extra player into midfield. OR, (11) can become part of a back four and (10) drops into midfield. If (F) pushed on then (11) or (3) would drop into a back four so we are 4 v 3 at the back.

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Try to close down “passing lanes” as well as closing down players. (10) For example is doing a good job of this knowing (8) behind is marking (E) anyway.

Here we are a 1-3-3-3-1.

(9) Immediately presses to show one way in this case wide. (11) hedges their bets by half supporting but ready to press (A) if (A) receives it. (10) supports (9). Midfield three move across and close down the spaces that side of the field.. Three Center backs move across to fill spaces (B) may play the ball into. (7) has a choice of dropping back and inside to aid the 3 midfielders to staying up but inside to support (9).

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Once you get your players positioning correctly wherever the ball goes and they understand their individual and team roles you can now let the opponents move. Our team can press and intercept but not tackle. Opponents are still 2 touches maximum. Now it becomes more of a game situation.

Here we are a 1-4-4-1-1.

(2) Can only press and show down the line. Three center backs drop back and across and (5) fills the open space CHANNEL SIDE of (K) that (H) can see to pass into. (3) drops in to make a back four to give us extra strength.   (8) slides across to support (2) and either (10) or (11) whoever is closest will make up a midfield defensive three. OR both drop in to make a midfield four. 

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(7) Can only show outside and not stop the delivery

Before the ball is delivered; in fact as the ball is travelling to (D) the back three should be adjusting already. Now we mark through (5) the big SPACE down the side; NOT the player (K). (3) Now can drop in to make it a back four for extra security. If (D) passes down the line then as you see, we will be first to the ball.

Now with a free ball down the line if (K) is quick we can be in trouble therefore (5)’s positioning is REALLY VITAL now. He MUST defend CHANNEL SIDE or more or less where the ball is likely to go. Most coaches will tell defenders to always defend GOALSIDE, this is one occasion where that instruction would be wrong.

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(5) Out of position as happens with us

(5) Is still marking GOALSIDE and allowing a long pass down the line to (K). (K) Is fast so now we have a very dangerous 1 v 1 in a wide area against us. So our wide center back on each side where the ball could be delivered this way MUST mark CHANNEL SIDE of the striker not goal side.

We do not adjust quickly enough and see AHEAD of the play. This is especially so when we attack with numbers and our vulnerability is usually in wide areas on the counter attack.

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There must be real condensed team shape closing down immediate spaces around the ball.

Now we are a 1-3-3-3-1.

The ball is forced to be played back to (D). (7) is the VITAL pressing player. If possible (7) should close down to force the ball “Inside” to our strength in numbers. A pass to (H) should be totally blocked now so (2) can tuck inside to where we want the ball to go. Three Center backs push up as does the keeper. (9) is ready for a back pass. (8) and (10) condense across the field to the ball. (11) also but also pushes forward.

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Throw in

There must be real condensed team shape closing down immediate spaces around the ball. Man marking now is imperative and we get tight to the opponent to allow no time on the ball.

Here we see we MUST get as many players around the immediate area the throw in is as possible. This makes it VERY difficult for the opponents to regain possession from their OWN throw. Even wide left (11) can run across the field to add an extra player to the mix. (7) shadows the thrower incase they throw it and look to get it back.

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