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DEFENDING WITH A SYSTEM

Penny entered Oodles of Poodles for her first day of work. After graduating from the poodle hair styling academy, she had finally found a job. Soon, she’d be cutting the hair of her fellow poodles.

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Business was slow, but Penny finally had her first customer. She hacked through the poodle’s hair as best she could, and sent him back for a shampoo. He soon returned, and Penny held up her mirror for the final okay.

The butchered beast howled, and the manager came running. Penny was fired on the spot, despite her protests. From the shop door, a Help Wanted sign again hangs upside down.

Clippings on the floor? Enforced tipping? Haircuts before shampoos? No wonder the shop was always hiring. It had serious system problems.

System problems might also be to blame for those 7-0 losses you’ve endured. Poorly positioned players? Confusing responsibilities? Not enough layers? You need a thoughtful defensive system.

A thoughtful system puts players where they’re needed most. The responsibilities fit together like the parts of a machine. When one part of the machine breaks down, another kicks in.

There’s no such thing as a perfect defensive system. Every system has weak spots. And you might use different systems on different days, depending on your players, your opponents, and the match situation.

Not all defensive systems are created equal, though. Some have more weak spots than others. To choose wisely between systems, you must understand the qualities a system should have.

Imagine the Possibilities

A defensive system begins with who plays where, but includes more. Three numbers spell out how many players are in each position. The first number is for Fullbacks, the second for Halfbacks, and the third for Forwards. In Scene 14-1, a 4-4-2 is to the left, and a 3-5-2 to the right.

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Not every 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 is the same, though. As the 4-4-2’s below show, players in each position can be staggered differently, producing different systems (Scene 14-2). To the left, the four Fullbacks are staggered, with one (a Sweeper) positioned behind the other three. (You could call the system a 1-3-4-2, but most soccer people don’t.) To the right, the Fullbacks are lined straight across the field (a Flat Back Four) while the Halfbacks are staggered.

Here’s one more variable to consider. Two systems might stagger players the same way, but assign entirely different responsibilities. The 4-4-2’s below look the same, because each has a Sweeper behind three Fullbacks (Scene 14-3). But to the left, the Fullbacks are covering zones. To the right, they’re covering specific opponents and would be called Marking Backs.

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Don’t Neglect the Middle

Your defensive system should place enough players in the middle areas of the field. Middle players are always close to the action, while players near the edge get left out now and then. Middle players can more easily shift between offense and defense. And they can protect your goal from two serious threats: the dribble up the middle, and the shot from the middle.

Middle players are always close to the action, while players near the edge get left out now and then.

You might want to rule out the 3-3-4 in Scene 14-4. Only the Center Halfback is positioned in the middle. The other Halfbacks are spread wide, and the Center Fullback is sagging back. The Center Halfback has too much to do and too little help.

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Reconsider That Sweeper

Many coaches believe a defensive system must have a Sweeper—that defender behind the other Fullbacks. But a defensive system should allow an effective triangle in the back. The triangle created by a Sweeper tends to point in the wrong direction (Scene 14-5)!

A triangle like that creates three problems:
1) Opponents dribbling through the middle have only the Sweeper     to beat. The other Fullbacks are too far forward to provide     backup.
2) Opponents can move behind the other Fullbacks without being in     an offside position, since the Sweeper determines the offside     line.
3) Only the Sweeper is covering the width of the field in the back.     If the Sweeper is pulled to one side, the other side is unguarded.

Such problems can be overcome if your players know how, or if your Sweeper is outstanding. But if a Sweeper makes more problems than it solves, why use one? Maybe you can find a better spot for that player.

But if a Sweeper makes more problems than it solves, why use one?

The Problem With Marking Backs

What about a defensive system with Marking Backs and a Sweeper? The Marking Backs cover specific opponents—Forwards, usually—until the ball is regained. The Sweeper provides backup. Sounds reasonable, but here are two problems.

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First, opponents can create open spaces too easily. Forwards aren’t required to stay in set positions. If a Forward cuts to the other side of the field, and your Marking Back follows, an open space has been created (Scene 14-6). The same is true if a Forward swaps locations with a Halfback.

Second, keeping possession is a challenge. Since your Marking Backs follow opponents all over the field, they won’t be in the best spots once your team has the ball (Scene 14-7). And before they reach the best spots, your team might lose the ball again. Run to your opponent, run to your best spot, run to your opponent—is all that running really necessary?

Think Twice About a Flat Back Line

Your defensive system should set up layers between the ball and the goal. That can be tricky with Flat Back systems, where the Fullbacks are aligned

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flat across the field. The Flat Back Four is the most popular variation, with the Flat Back Three a distant second.

In the Flat Back Four below (Scene 14-8), the Sweeper and its related problems are gone. The space behind the Fullbacks is off limits because of the offside rule. Four Fullbacks can easily cover the field’s width. And players are well situated for keeping possession. Now for the problems.

First, the offside line can easily get out of sync. If one of the four Fullbacks sags too far behind the others, a goal might be allowed.
Second, there’s only one layer of defenders. Defenders along a flat line have trouble backing each other up. A nice pass or dribbling move can beat all four at the same time (Scene 14-9).

Fortunately, Flat Back is just a name and not a rigid requirement. One Fullback can step forward to the ball, while others prepare for backup duty.

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As Scene 14-10 shows, a triangle is even possible. In this 4-4-2, one of the Halfbacks is a defensive Halfback in front of the Fullbacks. That player can swing from side to side, like the point of a triangle, as the two Center Fullbacks provide the base.

This picture shows another advantage of a Flat Back Four. When the Outside Fullbacks and Outside Fullbacks push forward, eight players can join in the attack—a 2-4-4, in effect!

The Unique, Logical Triangle Three

So far, we’ve mentioned six qualities a defensive system should have:
1) Players in the middle areas
2) A triangle in the back
3) Width coverage in the back
4) An easy-to-move offside line
5) Players well situated for keeping possession
6) Players free to join in the attack

The Triangle Three is a Thoughtful Soccer favorite because it has all these qualities. The system is named after the three Fullbacks, who aim a triangle at the ball. The basic setup is a 3-5-2 (Scene 14-11). Two of the Halfbacks are staggered behind the other three. Each position has responsibilities attached.

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The Fullbacks

The Left Fullback and Right Fullback sag behind the Center Fullback, creating the triangle. The base of the triangle should usually be even. In other words, the Left and Right Fullbacks should be at the same level, forming a two-player offside line. A two-player line is easily pulled up and back. Two players can also handle the field’s width.

The triangle shifts with the location of the ball (Scene 14-12). The Middle Fullback is usually the point, swinging from side to side as the ball is passed, and the Outside Fullbacks are usually the base. These players may swap roles at times, but doing so invites confusion. The system works best when the Middle Fullback is the point . . . with one exception.

In the triangle to the lower left, an Outside Fullback is confronting the ball near a corner. The Middle Fullback keeps focusing on the ball, though. If the opponent dribbles back toward the middle, the Middle Fullback must prevent a shot.

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The Left and Right Fullbacks mustn’t be too far apart. If one is beaten, the other must cut across and break up the play (Scene 14-13). This maneuver allows the Left and Right Fullbacks to back each other up. Unlike a Sweeper system, there are always two layers to beat.

The Outside Halfbacks

Let’s follow the above example a few seconds into the future. The Right Fullback has cut across to the left. Won’t the right side be wide open? Right Halfback to the rescue! (Scene 14-14).

When the ball is on one side, the Halfback on the opposite side must cover the back door, that dangerous area near the far post. Since the ball is on the left side, the Right Halfback has back-door duty. An opponent has run there, hoping for a crossing pass. Only the back-door defender can prevent an easy goal.

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Outside Halfback has strict job requirements: speed, fitness, and a sense of responsibility. Lazy players who only want to score need not apply.

The Defensive Halfbacks (Stoppers)

The two Halfbacks to the rear are nicknamed Stoppers. That name is a good reminder of the position’s responsibilities: stopping the ball, and stopping up holes.

Stopping the ball is priority number one. The Stoppers must never allow an open shot from the middle, and never allow a dribble through the middle. Much like the Center Fullback, they swing from side to side as the ball is passed, rather than latching onto specific opponents.

Priority number two is stopping up holes. If a Halfback can’t get back, a Stopper can jump into the open space (Scene 14-15). In fact, a Stopper can transform into any missing player, and take over that player’s duties.

The Center Halfback

The Center Halfback is another player who gravitates toward the ball rather than covering a specific opponent. Four players now control the middle in this way: a Center Halfback, two Stoppers, and a Center Fullback. The middle won’t be a breeding ground for scoring threats.

The Forwards

The Forwards add the finishing touches to this defensive system. When they set up the first layer between the ball and goal, the other team probably won’t score. The Forwards can also look for chances to pressure the ball, and win it near the other team’s goal.

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Keeping Possession

The Triangle Three is great for keeping possession. Scene 14-16 shows a typical possession moment. The Right Fullback has the ball. The middle players provide passing targets. The Left Fullback is in great position for a drop pass. And on the other side waits the Left Halfback. Time for a drop-and-switch maneuver!

Triangle Three Variations

Once you’ve got a system, devise a few variations as well. Then, you can choose the best variation for each situation. Triangle Three variations keep the triangle, but relocate a player or two.

3-5-2 With One Stopper

Of the five Halfbacks, only one is a Stopper (Scene 14-17). The attack is a little stronger, but the Stopper has many holes to fill.

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3-4-2 With Shadow

Does the other team have a superstar who always scores three goals and beats your team? You need the 3-4-2 With Shadow. The numbers add up to nine, because the tenth field player is the Shadow (Scene 14-18).

The Shadow covers the star all over the field, even when your team has the ball. What’s the point? The star works hard just to touch the ball, and tires quickly. And when the star finally gets the ball, at least two layers are in the way—the Shadow, plus the defender of a particular zone. A star without open space is just a night light!

What if the star runs behind the other Fullbacks? If the Shadow were to follow, the offside line would be ruined and only one player would be guarding the star. The Shadow should stay level with the deepest Fullback, forcing the star to come back onside.

Don’t put your best player on the star. Any fit, responsible player will do, since that player will always have help. You’ll think the star and one of your weaker players were both thrown out of the match—not a bad deal!

Systems for Smaller Numbers

If you coach indoor soccer, or work with younger players, you’ll need a system for smaller numbers. The qualities for eleven-a-side systems also apply to smaller numbers.

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When five players are out in the field, here are some possibilities. The first number, as always, refers to the Fullbacks.

1) 2-3 and 3-2 are both very weak. Nobody is assigned to the     middle.
2) 1-3-1 and 1-2-2 are both weak. One player in the back can’t     cover the field’s width.
3) 2-2-1 is workable, if at least one Halfback controls the middle     and stops the ball. But if both Halfbacks are wide, the middle is     wide open.
4) 2-1-2 is the Thoughtful Soccer favorite (Scene 14-19). The     Halfback controls the middle, and provides the point of a     triangle.

What about six players in the field?

1 ) Anything beginning with a 1 provides no width coverage in the      back, and is weak.
2 ) 2-2-2, also known as the spaghetti system, is long, thin, and      weak. Only two of the six players are centrally located.
3 ) 2-3-1 is the logical choice (Scene 14-20). It provides width      coverage in the back, three central players, and a nice      defensive triangle.

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Try applying the system qualities to some other player numbers: 3, 4 (very tricky!), 7, 8, and up.

Teaching Your System

Once you’ve got a defensive system in mind, how can you teach it to your players? Three steps are required. Walk through the positions and responsibilities. Test drive the system in a scrimmage. And freeze the scrimmage to get the system right.

For the walk through, add a few players at a time. Bring the Fullbacks out first, as the other players watch. With a soccer ball at your feet, move to different spots and have the Fullbacks react. Dribble slowly past one Fullback, and show how another Fullback should back the play up.

Next, add the Outside Halfbacks, and walk through the back-door idea. Bring on the Stoppers, and show how they close in on the ball and stop up holes. And so on. Your players will begin to see the logic.

Now take the system for a test drive. Set up a scrimmage where one team has an extra player or two, and the smaller team is usually on defense—9 v 7, for example. Watch how the smaller team uses the defensive system.

Soon, the system will break down somewhere. A shot from the middle will be allowed, the back door will be uncovered, or the triangle will fall apart. Freeze the action, correct the problem, and play on.

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Trust the Qualities

Don’t be so sure about that system you grew up with, or that everyone else is using. It might have more problems than a poodle barbershop.

Place your trust in the qualities a system should have. Your system must put players in the middle. It must allow players to back each other up. Ignore such qualities at your own risk.

Once you understand the qualities, you can choose wisely between systems. Better yet, invent a system that other coaches don’t understand!