Defending from a 4-2-3-1 formation

Defending from a 4-2-3-1 formation

Coach Ian Barker

Provided By - National Soccer Coaches Association of America - www.NSCAA.com

Organization:
40 yds of width, 35 yds of length
Servers on each side of the space
Servers are targets for the team defending the big goal

Attacking team (white) sets up in a 2-2
Defending team (black) sets up in a 2-2

Key Coaching Points:
Block of 4 defenders move as a unit as the ball moves
Maintain a quadrangular shape with pressure to the ball and cover
Be aware of weak side opponents, but remain compact
Force play outside of the area and do not allow penetration into the center of the "box" of 4 defenders

Organization:
40 yds of width, 35 yds of length with wide space beyond the cones
Servers on each side of the space
Servers are targets for the team defending the big goal

Attacking team (white) sets up in a 4-2
Defending team (black) sets up in a 4-2

Back four is restricted to the space until the ball is played wide. Then they can go out to defend

Key Coaching Points:
Starting position is compact
Pressure and cover at the ball with balance to the threat elsewhere
As a unit force the ball away from the central space and be able to effectively pressure a
ball played wide
Weak side full backs must balance the threat of the cross to the back post

Organization:
Phase of play

Attacking team (white) goes to big goal
Defending team (black) goes to counter goals

Attacking team (white) has two servers/(center backs) and is in a 4-4-2
Defending team (black) is in a 4-2-3 with a target player to play off before going to counter goals

Key Coaching Points:
Maintain compactness
Bring pressure from both sides of the ball when the ball is played beyond OCMs
Shift as a unit and as three distinct lines
Cover of full backs comes from center backs and OCMs with DCMs remaining central
OR
Cover of full backs comes from center backs and DCMs with OCMs recovering centrally

Organization:
11 vs. 11 full game

Identified important defending space
W= wide channel (exposed due to no wide mid fielders)
Red arrow= central attacking channel (when full backs are drawn out)
Z14= zone 14 the space between the CBs and DCMs

Key Coaching Points:
In the full game identify key defending themes and areas based on the formation and the personnel employed
In the full game identify defending themes and areas based on the opposing formation
W Wide space in front of full backs who do not have wide mid fielders to cover the space in front of them
Inside channels/arrows, the space opponents will exploit if compactness is lost
Zone 14, the critical space behind the screening mid fielders and in front of center backs