Defensive systems
An overview
Defensive system
• Before we can develop our defensive system we must have players that are proficient in
1 on 1 defending.
• This should be developed throughout the foundation phases, so that by 13-14, players
are comfortable in 1v1 defensive situations.
• We can then introduce basic tactical concepts such as coverage, exchanges.
• Technical training should be integrated into tactical training.
• By under-19s / adult futsal, players will be able to fit into a coach’s system of play.
Coaching syllabus
• Important to have an idea of
what needs to be covered.
Aims of defending
• There are two main ideas when defending
[Link] the other team from scoring
Prevent the attack from getting in goal scoring positions
2. Win the ball back
We want the ball back – either if we’re in a losing position or we want to
set the pace of the match
Aims of defending
• Win the ball back
We want the ball back – either if we’re in a losing position or we want to
set the pace of the match
• How can we? This is a system that takes training and requires certain
characteristics. We have to:
• Press the ball
• Cut off and threaten the passing lines
• Anticipate and intercept
• Break out – leaving our player to cause more pressure
• 2v1s
• Anticipate balls to pivot
Frequent errors
Recovery runs without thinking about the game situation
Changes of player at the wrong moment
Being beat 1v1 or diving in with lack of cover
Giving the ball away in attack when there is no defensive balance!
Not applying pressure on the ball - this allows player to pick out a pass
Not pressing strong foot OR not being in sync with the system of defence
Player focuses on the ball allowing attacker to get in behind
Phases of defence
• 1. When we have possession
• We have to be conscious of a potential turnover of possession with “safe pass” or
“defensive balance”.
• 2. Slowing down the counter attack
• Prevent the quick progression of the attack. Someone should close the ball down
while team mates recover into favourable positions.
• The recovery runs are important to prevent the attacking team having a numerical
advantage.
• 3. Organising the defence
• The opponent didn’t manage to get a counter attack under way. Now we have to
attempt to organise, according to our system.
• 4. Consolidating the defence
• Now we’re all in our correct position and the attack has to try to break us down.
When we have possession
1. When we have possession
We have to be conscious of a potential turnover of possession
with “safe pass” or “defensive balance”.
Just after we lose the ball
2. Slowing down the counter attack
Prevent the quick progression of the attack. Someone should
close the ball down while team mates recover into favourable
positions.
The recovery runs are important to prevent the attacking team
having a numerical advantage.
2 options with recovery runs.
Do we go back to our position or the closest position to where
we were?
Recovery runs
• After losing the ball regain the defensive structure as soon as possible
with the aim of preventing a numerical advantage for our rival.
1 – each player goes to his favoured 2 – each player goes to the closest position
position
• Advantage: Quicker and less physically
• Advantage: if you have specialist players demanding
e.g. Pivot. Requires little communication • Disadvantage: Requires more
• Disadvantage: Slower and more communication & training
physically demanding.
Recommended for senior teams in high
Recommended for new teams and younger level competition
players
We’ve prevented the counter
3. Organising the defence
The opponent didn’t manage to get a counter attack under
way. Now we have to attempt to organise, according to our
system.
This is a critical moment as we’re still relatively
unorganised. It requires a leader on the court to organise
his teammates.
Individually we must now know our role. We’ve done the
hard work in recovering, but we’re still vulnerable.
Now we’re back in control
4. Consolidating the defence
Now we’re all in our correct position and the attack has to try
to break us down.
This should be a “calmer” moment. Normally the ball will have
gone out of play or have been played all the way back to the
attackers half.
If possible we can return to our favoured positions.
We can organise and consolidate our defence.
Who/what dictates the defence
• Coach
• It is the responsibility of the manager to design a system of defence according to
your beliefs.
• Players
• Our own and the opponents. Who do we have available on the court. Should we
change the system to suit the players?
• Sendings off
• Obviously with a player (or 2) less, we need to change the system to zonal and
apply a particular defensive
• Score / foul count
• If we’re winning or losing we can adapt to a system more or less risky.
• Similarly if we have accumulated 5 fouls can we afford to risk pressing?
How to coach a defensive system
• First of all you need to be clear in your mind of everyone’s exact role in different
moments of play.
• Tactics board demonstrations, along with videos, before entering the court.
• Written resource for players
• Online videos on a private link
• Walk through phases of play in defence on the court.
• Design exercises with real game situations (broken down).
Different defensive systems
• Man marking
• Zonal marking
• Man marking with changes
• Full court
• ¾ court
• ½ court
• Closed (10m)
Advantages and
disadvantages of each
system
Man marking
• Advantages • Disadvantages
• Less demanding mentally • Very demanding physically
• Easy to get used to • Can leave space for the attack
• Perfect for young players, new • Passing lines are open
teams • No cover or help
• Clear roles • Low level of team ethic
• If we’re better players we can • If lower level to each player, difficult
dominate 1v1s to perform
• It adapts to any opposition tactic
Zonal
• Advantages • Disadvantages
• Less demanding physically • Requires a high level of coordination
• Can dominate space between team mates
• Can keep pressure on the ball • Difficult to close all spaces if the
opponent moves the ball quickly
• High level of team ethic
• If we have lower level players can
• If two attackers enter a zone it can
cause problems
frustrate attack
• Favours counter attacks
• The first line of defence has a higher
physical demand
• Reduces number of fouls
• More coverage and help
• Players are in the favoured position
Man marking with changes
• Advantages • Disadvantages
• Excellent defensive solidarity • Requires a high level of reading of
• Difficult to be exposed to numerical the game.
inferiorities • Needs a high level of team ethic
• Allows changes of players AND individual responsibility
• Always cover and pressure on the • Takes a lot of training and
ball coordination between players
Individual defence – full court
Individual defence – technical training
• First of all we need to know how to defend 1v1.
• Put our players through a lot of repetitions of defending 1v1.
• Useful early in the season and with junior teams
• Exercise – 1v1 defending with goalkeeper
• Hundreds of ways to work on this – important is what you are correcting your players on.
1v1s
Defender plays the ball to attacker and moves into a
defensive position.
Attacker must try to score.
Defender and GK prevent the goal.
Repeat on the other side.
• Close down the strong foot
• Low centre of gravity
• Look at footwork
• Use of arms
Individual defence – high pressure
• This type of defence requires a high level of physical endurance and strength.
• As well as good concepts of coverage and recovery runs.
• Extreme – full on Man for Man with no thought to other players
• When might we use this?
• Even though it’s man for man, when will there be changes?
• Get beat 1v1, or a 1-2.
Individual defence – high pressure
• 1 – always pressure on the ball. Without good pressure on the ball carrier, we can be cut
open with a pass.
• 2 – When there’s pressure on the ball, my team mates can break away to help, while still
covering the passing line.
• 3 – Without pressure on the ball. Team mates have to offer more coverage.
• 4 – ALWAYS PRESSURE ON THE BALL FOR OUR SYSTEM TO WORK.
• But this isn’t always possible so we have to adapt.
• Exercise – Pick up the ball.
Pick up the ball
Regular match 4v4 with 5th attacking player holding ball ready
to enter.
Between the edge of the area and half way (or a zone set by
the coach depending on where you want to begin pressing),
the player on the ball may pick up the ball with his hands, only:
• If he is facing forward
• On his first touch (control and then pick up)
If he succeeds, the attack with the ball in his hands becomes
active
What does this encourage?
What if we can’t get pressure on the ball?
Individual defence – not getting beat behind
• While I am pressing, it is important that when my defender makes a forward run, I follow
him.
• Not just follow, but impede him - use of arms
• Important not to dive in, leaving myself vulnerable to be beaten.
• Exercises
• 4v4 with bibs as tails
• 2v2 with floaters
Bibs with tails
Regular match 4v4 with attacking players wear bibs in shorts.
If my direct opponent manages to remove my bib, I am
eliminated, creating an overload.
• Progression: Attacker MUST get my bib before team can
score. Creates more focus on me keeping my bib.
One of the common errors is losing focus of our direct
opponent, turning to face the ball. If we do this, we expose our
back.
Can use this as a warm up without balls, 1v1s, working on body
shape and low centre of gravity.
What does this encourage?
Body shape, basic positioning (if ball is on opposite
side, I tuck in), ALWAYS focused on MY man.
2v2 with floaters
2v2 match with attacking floaters.
• Defenders must be high pressure and are not permitted
to change.
• Goalkeeper cannot pass to floaters and floaters cannot
pass to each other.
• Only attacking floaters are active and have 2 touches.
Defending points
• Use of arms and body to prevent progress
• Not committing and planting our body weight
Individual defence against a
central pivot
Focusing on 1v1s on the wing with a central pivot. Attacker
should try to find pivot to play a 1-2 or pivot can score (1vGK).
Or he can play to GK (Yellow) to switch play.
If attacking pair create a change, defending team stays.
Defenders must defend the pivot, showing the defender away
from the centre.
When pressure is good and we are close and the only option is
for him to dribble, GK must be advanced.
Defending points
• Use of arms to stop progress
• Close strong foot & middle.
• Where is the ideal position/angle?
• Defender and goalkeeper coordination
Individual defence against a
pivot on the wings
2 pivots in the corners. Ball starts at half way and can move
the ball left/right. (Defenders to try to defend pass to pivot
and team mate to anticipate) and try to anticipate.
Attacker can only play with pivot on the same side. When
he does, both attackers can enter for a finish.
Pivot - 2 touches and can either play with either attacker.
Defending points.
• Prevent pass to pivot (block line)
• Use of arms to stop attacker receiving for a shot
Defensive adjustment
It’s important that we are prepared for the inevitable moments
when a defender is beaten 1v1 or with a 1-2.
It’s vital to know what to do in this situation.
The player who is beaten must have cover and must recover as
quickly as possible to the CORRECT place.
Exercise: 5v4. Attack must try to find a pass to the floater. Can
only pass from the same wing – NO DIAGONALS.
When the floater has it, the opposite floater becomes active.
Corrections:
Initial positioning.
Summary
• Important to define your defensive structure at all moments of the game
• Design your defence around the players available and their characteristics
• Consider size of the court and opposition tactics when it comes to preparation for a
particular match
• Design your sessions based on YOUR game model
• Defence isn’t rocket science. It comes down to attitude, concentration and commitment.
• At the youngest ages, man marking/individual/1v1 defence is the most important.
Any questions?