Book Revision: "Defensive Systems: a Detailed Example"

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We've discussed how to view defensive systems in light of the qualities you're seeking. Now it's time for an example: a Triangle Three formation with a position-based responsibility plan. All those words are a necessary evil, to distinguish the formation from the responsibility plan.

I settled on this system during my years of playing and coaching, before I begain taking coaching courses. Because the formation and responsibility plan struck me as logical and effective, I was surprised to later learn they were somewhat unique. I’ve contended it’s not the system that matters, but the thought process behind it. That’s why the Triangle Three makes a useful case study.

Triangle Three, like Flat Back Three, is a formation name based on the rearmost defenders. But the Middle Fullback operates in front of the two Outside Fullbacks rather than level with them, creating a triangle that points toward the ball (Scene 15-1). This formation could just as easily be called a Flat Back Two with a Defensive Halfback in front of it. Take your pick, as long as we're clear about who is where.

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What of the other seven field players in this formation? As we'll see later, they can be arranged in several different ways. I most often use a 3-5-2 as in the scene, with two of the Halfbacks operating behind the other three. I call those two Halfbacks Stoppers, but one could instead call them Defensive Halfbacks or Holding Midfielders.

Why do I like this formation?

1. There are two defenders along the offside line. I believe those two can protect the field's width in the back, freeing other players to be placed somewhere else. And a two-player offside line is easier to coordinate than a three-player or four-player offside line.

2. The three defenders in the back are arranged in the shape I believe is critical--a triangle pointing toward the ball. The Sweeper issues are avoided, and there are always two layers to get past.

3. Each Fullback is easily backed up by a comrade. If the Middle Fullback is beaten, the Left or Right Fullback can intervene. If the Left Fullback is beaten, the Right Fullback can intervene, and vice versa.

4. Three defenders—the Middle Fullback and two Stoppers—are patrolling the vital central area in front of the Fullbacks. Opponents will have a tough time dribbling through that area or shooting from it.

5. Adding the three Halfbacks, we've got six players who are fairly centralized and who can transform quickly from defenders to attackers.
As with any formations, there are trade offs. In exchange for great control of the center, we’ve lost some protection of the field’s width along the back line. Coaches who find that a problem—I never have—might prefer a Flat Back Three or Four.

The Defensive Triangle and the Middle Fullback Role

Now we need a responsibility plan to set the formation in motion. Let's visit some typical scenarios, describing the Fullback responses first and then adding the Stoppers, Halfbacks, and Forwards.

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Scene 15-2 shows our Fullbacks in preparation mode, as they are still further from the ball. Our Middle Fullback is on the line between the ball and our goal, forming the point of a triangle. He’ll get to the ball first should it reach our Fullbacks. Our Left and Right Fullbacks are hanging back a bit, forming the triangle's base and the imaginary offside line. If a long pass is sent toward Opponent A, our Right Fullback can easily intervene. Our three Fullbacks might also want to pull forward in this situation, forcing Opponent A further from our goal due to the offside rule.

In the next few scenes, our Fullbacks are in direct contact with the ball. To examine our Fullbacks in detail, our other defenders have been removed from the scene. And to convey the defensive triangle’s power, our three Fullbacks are facing six opponents. That doesn’t mean the other defenders just watch, or that a 3 v 6 approach to defense is being advocated!

Our Middle Fullback is expected to get to the ball first, which is reasonable given his more central location (Scene 15-3). He halts the ball's progress as far from our goal as possible, and looks for an opportunity to win the ball. In other words, he provides pressure.

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Our Left and Right Fullbacks, rather than going directly to the ball, have allowed our Middle Fullback this honor. They keep a broader perspective, hanging back a bit on either side of the ball. Now, they're killing two birds with one stone. They're backing up the Middle Fullback in case he's beaten, and they're also protecting vulnerable spaces. In other words, they're providing cover.

Note that our Right Fullback in the previous scene must attend to a centralized opponent as well as a wider opponent along the imaginary offside line. If the wider opponent receives the ball, our Right Fullback will have plenty of time to recover. If the centralized opponent receives the ball, it’s smooth sailing to our goal. That’s why our Right Fullback must shade toward the centralized opponent.

The previous scene also shows our defensive system at its best. The ball’s forward progress has been stopped, and there is cover on each side. As long as the ball is triangulated in this way, our opponents probably won't score.

But what if our opponents probe for an opening by passing the ball quickly? Here's where many coaches prefer a pressure/cover/balance formula based on proximity to the ball. The closest Fullback pressures the ball, the next closest provides cover, and the roles rotate quickly from player to player. I prefer a more position-based plan.

As opponents pass the ball, our Middle Fullback continues providing pressure (Scene 15-4). He remains the point of the triangle, moving quickly as the ball is passed. I tell this player: "Your job is to stay on the line between the ball and our goal. Don't guard a specific opponent. When the ball goes, you follow it. Any opponent wishing to dribble through the middle or shoot from the middle must do so through you."

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The Left and Right Fullbacks continue shouldering the responsibility for cover. As long as they see that the Middle Fullback will get to the ball on time, they remain at the triangle's base. They may pressure the ball if they're sure of winning it, or if the Middle Fullback won't arrive on time. But even then, they’ll return to the triangle’s base once the Middle Fullback arrives again at the ball.

Since our Middle Fullback in the previous scene is going to the ball, our Right Fullback doesn’t have to. Our Right Fullback can instead protect that very vulnerable space where an opponent is lurking.

Coaches who haven't seen the system in action raise three doubts about these position-based responsibilities:

1. Shouldn't the Fullback closest to the ball always provide the pressure? In other words, why can't an Outside Fullback become the triangle's point, while the Middle Fullback shifts to the triangle's base? That approach is fine in theory, but I prefer mine for two reasons. First, when the plan is to rotate around the triangle, moments of confusion are more likely. Second, I want to make sure my two fastest defenders are always at the triangle's base, where high-risk 1 v 1 showdowns are more frequent.

2. If the Middle Fullback must get to the ball every time it's passed, won't he have too far to run? But he doesn't have to get to the ball every time! When the ball is passed in the dangerous central areas, he usually will get there in time because he has less distance to travel. This is easily proven with activities like the Triangle Scrimmage (see Chapter 8) or Dizzy Miss Lizzy (see Chapter 16). When the ball is passed wide, he might not get there but no problem. There is less danger when the ball is wider, and other defenders will be there anyway—leading us to the next doubt.

3. Why must the Middle Fullback pressure the ball everywhere while the other defenders watch? The other defenders don't just watch! The Middle Fullback specializes in pressure, but our Halfbacks and Forwards will also pressure the ball when it's in their vicinity. The Outside Fullbacks specialize in cover, but the whole point of cover is that it might suddenly become pressure—as when the Middle Fullback can't get there in time or is beaten.

Don’t feel sorry for our Middle Fullback. His responsibilities are very manageable, and he’ll have plenty of help. Even if he’s one of our slower players, his impact on the match will be profound.

Still struggling with this role? Try a little thought experiment. Imagine sitting the Middle Fullback on the bench, and letting the other ten players defend—a 2-5-2 with two Stoppers. Many different defenders

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will pressure the ball at different times, and you’ll have a decent defensive system. Next, tell send your Middle Fullback back in with instructions to continually swing to the ball. Obviously, a decent defensive system just got much better.

An Exception to the Rule

Scene 15-5 shows an exception to the rule. Normally, our Middle Fullback would pressure the ball so that our Left Fullback could protect vulnerable space behind and to the left of the ball. But because the ball is near our goal line, there is no space behind and to the left of the ball. Our Left Fullback is therefore free to pressure the ball, leaving our Middle Fullback free for another task. But what?

Some coaches would prefer that the Middle Fullback move closer to the ball—perhaps to location Y or Z—to provide cover for the Left Fullback. I’m content to let my more distant Right Fullback provide cover. My Middle Fullback has two more important concerns. The first is obvious. The dribbler might lay a pass back into central space for one of his teammates. Were our Middle Fullback not protecting that space, the ball would soon be in our net.

The second, more subtle concern is materializing in the scene. Opponent A is dribbling toward the top of the penalty area, presenting our Left Fullback with a dilemma. If he follows the dribbler aggressively to prevent a shot, the space he vacates will again be vulnerable. But if he stays behind to guard the vulnerable space, the dribbler will soon have an open shot. Fortunately, his Middle Fullback is perfectly positioned to prevent a shot and take over the pressure role. Dilemma solved.

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Soccer coaches develop such preferences based on their real-life experiences. I remember too many times when the Middle Fullback wasn't there and a goal resulted. If you predict a different outcome, you'll want a different plan. That's the challenge of our job!

More on the Outside Fullback Responsibilities

One advantage of our defensive triangle is that the Left Fullback and Right Fullback can provide cover for each other. If the ball gets past one as in Scene 15-6, the other must cut all the way across the field to prevent a breakthrough. That's why the two mustn't be too far apart. Each must continually ask, "If my counterpart is beaten, can I get to the ball on time?"

This responsibility might also puzzle coaches at first. Isn't that a long way for an Outside Fullback to run? Isn't cover supposed to be provided closer to the ball? But a responsibility plan need not meet some official definition of cover. It need only work. In those rare instances where our Left Fullback is beat—remember, he's taking a cautious, sag-back approach!—our Right Fullback can indeed arrive on time.

When facing this system, opponents might attempt to get past our Middle Fullback with a wall pass. Scene 15-7 on the next page examines this possibility. Opponent A passes to Opponent B, breaks past our Middle Fullback, and receives a one-touch pass from Opponent B. Our Middle Fullback is supposed to follow the ball as it’s passed to Opponent B. But by the time he gets there, won’t the ball be long gone?

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A wall pass is a great way to break through any defensive system. Remember, though, that our Middle Fullback simply represents the first layer of defense. If the ball gets past him, another defensive layer awaits. In the scene, our Left Fullback cuts to the middle and easily prevents a breakthrough. Also, anticipating and intercepting the wall pass is entirely within our Middle Fullback’s job description!

“Not so fast!” says the skeptic. “If your Left Fullback cuts to the middle, that opponent to his left will be wide open!” Perhaps, but a defensive system need not account for every three-step passing sequence imaginable. Such sequences are easier said than done, and your opponents won’t have time to choreograph them. And just in case, we’ll now introduce our other defenders.

The Outside Halfbacks

To the positions of Left Halfback and Right Halfback, a critical balance role is attached. If an Outside Fullback must cut across the field in response to a threat, who protects the space he’s left behind? Outside Halfback to the rescue (Scene 15-8)!

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When the ball is on one side of the field, the Halfback on the opposite side must guard the back door, that dangerous area near the far post. In the scene, the ball is on the left side, so the Right Halfback has back door duty. An opponent has run there hoping for a crossing pass. Were the Right Halfback not present, a goal would surely be allowed.

Now you see why only two Fullbacks need be assigned to the imaginary offside line. Quite often, they'll be joined there by an Outside Halfback.
What if the ball is on the Right Halfback's side, or in the middle? He then works with defenders in the vicinity to win the ball back.

What if our team has the ball? Our Right Halfback can then join in the attack, but with one stipulation. He should stay in contact with his position, however loosely, so that he can get to the back door once we lose the ball. That's why the Outside Halfback position has strict job requirements: speed, fitness, and a sense of responsibility. Players who want only to score goals need not apply.

The Defensive Halfbacks (Stoppers)

Those players between the Fullbacks and Halfbacks are nicknamed Stoppers, a good reminder of their two major responsibilities: stopping the ball, and stopping up holes.

Stopping the ball—i.e. providing pressure—is priority number one. A Stopper must never allow an open shot from the middle, or a dribble through the middle. Like the Center Fullback, he continually moves to the ball until it's regained. When two Stoppers are utilized, one of them closes on the ball while the other operates to one side or the other. The Middle Fullback's role, obviously, is getting more and more manageable. Three of our defenders are now controlling the middle, and our opponents will have little time for passing or shooting. Scene 15-9 shows priority number two:

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A Stopper can transform into any missing defender, and temporarily take over that player's responsibilities. In the scene, the ball is on the left side. Our Left Halfback is returning from an attacking excursion, and won’t get back in time to protect the back door. Our Stopper on the left side thus transforms into a Left Halfback and the back door is protected.

The Middle Halfback

All this control of the middle frees up our Middle Halfback to take a more offensive role. But once we lose possession, he's also a key defender. He must immediately get back between the ball and our goal, creating at least three layers for the ball to get through.

Generally, the Middle Halfback is another player who gravitates toward the ball rather than guarding a specific opponent. Four players now control the middle in this way: our Middle Halfback, our two Stoppers, and of course our Middle Fullback. When all four are in the vicinity of the ball, one or two can pressure the ball while the others mark nearby opponents. Possession will soon be ours!

The Forwards

Once we lose possession of the ball, what are the defensive responsibilities of our Forwards in this system? As is often the case in soccer, the best answer is it all depends.

In some situations, one or both Forwards could remain in attacking locations rather than coming back to defend at all. Perhaps the other team’s attack is so weak that our Forwards aren’t needed on defense. Or perhaps we’re desperate for a goal late in the match.

Normally, though, our Forwards apply the finishing touches to our defensive system. As the other team’s possession continues, our Forwards make recovery runs to bet back between the ball and our goal. They often gravitate toward the middle, where they’ll have the biggest impact—pressuring the ball or depriving opponents of open space.

How do our Forwards react when our opponents have the ball near their own goal? Once again, it all depends. If we're trying to contain the ball, our Forwards might drop back toward the halfway line, conceding possession for the time being and setting up multiple layers. If we're trying to pressure and regain the ball, they might close in quickly on the ball and nearby opponents. The reward for such pressure might be a scoring chance of our own. Remember that Plan to Plan scrimmage, from Chapter 9? With the help of our Forwards, its lessons can be applied.

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Keeping Possession

To describe the Fullback responsibilities, many words are required. That might create the false impression that our Fullbacks only play defense. But when we have possession, our Fullbacks will usually have more open space than our other players. They’ll receive drop passes, switch the ball from one side of the field to the other, and even pass to our Keeper when necessary. No defensive system can be scored upon while in possession of the ball!

The Triangle Three formation puts players in great spots for keeping possession. A typical possession moment is shown in Scene 15-10. The Right Fullback has the ball. The middle players provide passing targets. The Left Fullback is in 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 settled on a basic formation, it's wise to have a few variations up your sleeve. Then, you can pick a variation based on your personnel, your opponents, and the match situation. These 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 15-11). The attack is a little stronger, but the Stopper has many holes to fill.

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3-4-3 With One Stopper

Moving three players to Forward can create a stronger attack. Three Forwards can also pressure the ball well in the other team's end. Although fewer middle players remain, the risk might be acceptable if you're playing a weaker team or losing the match.

3-4-2 With Shadow

What if the other team's superstar forward regularly shreds our defensive system? We need the 3-4-2 With Shadow. The numbers add up to nine, because the tenth field player is the Shadow (Scene 15-12).

The key to this system is the responsibility plan. The Shadow marks the superstar all over the field, even when our team has the ball. What's the point? The star must struggle just to touch the ball. He tires more quickly. And when he finally does touch the ball, at least two layers are always in the way—the Shadow, plus the defender of a particular zone. Even a star needs open space.

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follow, he'd be guarding the star without help. And our Outside Fullbacks would see their offside line ruined. Instead, the Shadow must wait at the offside line, forcing the star to return.

Here's the beauty of the plan. We need not put our best athlete or most skillful player on the star. Our shadow won't be touching the ball much, and he'll always have help. Any fit, responsible player will do. It will seem like the other team's best player and one of our weaker players were both thrown out of the match—not a bad deal.

Teaching Your System

A well thought-out system is just an abstraction until you teach it to your players. Here's how I teach the Triangle Three formation with position-based responsibilities in a practice or two:

1. First, I walk through the positions and responsibilities.

2. Then, I set up some scrimmages which allow players to experience their responsibilities

3. Finally, I use Coachable Moments during these scrimmages to get the system right.

For the walk through, I add a few players at a time. I bring the Fullbacks out first, as the other players watch, and arrange them in a defensive triangle. With a soccer ball at my feet, I move to different spots and have the Fullbacks react. I dribble slowly past the Middle Fullback, and direct an Outside Fullback to intervene. I dribble slowly past the Left Fullback and have the Right Fullback intervene. I try a few different players in each position, so that all understand.

Next, I add the Outside Halfbacks, and walk through the back-door idea. I bring on the Stoppers, and show how they close in on the ball and stop up holes. And so on.

Next, I take the system for a test drive. I create a scrimmage where one team outnumbers the other, so that the smaller team is usually defending. I might start with a 6 v 3 scrimmage and work with the three Fullbacks. Though seriously outnumbered, they can do quite well by continually triangulating the ball. Next, I might progress to a larger scrimmage—9 v 7, for example—adding Stoppers and Halfbacks to the fray.

During these scrimmages, Corrective Coachable Moments will quickly arise. The Middle Fullback might forget to go to the ball, the Left Fullback might be too wide to back up the Middle Fullback, or a Stopper might fail to plug a critical hole. I freeze the action, walk through a solution, and then yell, "Play on!" Eventually, the defenders will handle a situation in keeping with the system. Time for an Encouragement Como to hasten the indoctrination process!

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Triangle Three With Smaller Numbers

If you coach indoor soccer, or work with younger players, you'll need a formation for smaller numbers. Once again, decide on the qualities that matter and examine the possibilities in light of those qualities. Here’s the Triangle three approach to smaller-sided teams.

What formation works best with five players in the field, the typical number for indoor soccer?

* 2-3 and 3-2 are both very weak. Nobody is assigned to the middle.

* 1-3-1 and 1-2-2 are both weak. One player in the back can't cover the field's width.

* 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.

* 2-1-2 is the Thoughtful Soccer favorite (Scene 15-13). The Halfback controls the middle, and provides the point of a triangle.

What about six players in the field?

* Anything beginning with a 1 provides no width coverage in the back, and is weak.

* 2-2-2, also known as the spaghetti system, is long, thin, and weak. Only two of the six players are centrally located.

* 2-3-1 is the logical choice (Scene 15-14). It provides width coverage in the back, three central players, and a nice defensive triangle.

Try applying the formation qualities you believe in to some other player numbers: 3 players, 4 players (very tricky!), 7 players, and so on.

System Disagreements

Disagreements about defensive systems are sometimes about words rather than substance. Consider Scene 15-13. To the left is a Flat Back Four. A Defensive Midfielder is working in front of the two Middle Fullbacks, and the Outside Fullbacks haven’t gotten back yet to help along the back line. To the right is a Triangle Three. The player operating in front of two Fullbacks is now called a Middle Fullback. It’s the Outside Halfbacks that haven’t gotten back yet to help along the back line. Different words, not-so-different substance.

Disagreements might also result if we forget to distinguish between the formation and the responsibility plan. I’ve made that mistake many times! I once assumed a Triangle Three could only be run with my particular responsibility plan. Obviously, if you like a Triangle Three formation, you can run it however you please.

Go to Chapter 14: The system Side of Defense