Defending as a Back Four

This article focuses on defending in a flat line for the back four. A flat line is the formation played most commonly when players graduate up to college or pro soccer. Watch professional games on Television and you will very rarely see a sweeper being used.

Covering Attackers

Covering attacking players is a primary responsibility of a back four. To cover a player, defenders should be within arm’s reach of a player, and be goal side of a player. If a forward is allowed to get level, or behind a defender it could give them an advantage in a foot race for a through ball. A defender should give themselves a one yard cushion, if they see they have a tough matchup speed wise, then they may want to give themselves an extra cushion to not be beaten in behind. A common error made by defenders is to let attacking players float into dangerous areas where an element of doubt exists as to who is covering them. For example in diagram A the X5 defender is covering O9, O10 is drifting into a grey area between X3 and X4, both players may look and assume the other is covering him. This is a danger and one player needs to close within arm’s reach and take responsibility. A goalkeeper should also be coached to recognize this and adjust his defenders.

Diagram A

If defenders find themselves outnumbered they should adjust and communicate with their midfielders. A fullback who is outnumbered should ask the wide midfielder to help him, rather than a central defender coming wide and exposing the team in the middle. A midfield runner joining the attack central should be tracked by a midfielder if the 2 centre backs are occupied with forwards.

Pressure and cover

Ball pressure is the backbone of all defending. Without pressure on the ball attackers are allowed time to pick their options and cause problems for the defending team. A player who is pressuring the ball should communicate “ball” to his teammates to avoid 2 defenders going for the same ball. Defenders who are not pressuring the ball must cover attackers but also provide cover for teammates.

Diagram B

In diagram B X3 must play tight to O11 to pressure the ball. X4 must play ball side of O10 slightly, this allows him to cover O10 if he is passed to, or to cover area A in the diagram which could be a dribble if X3 is beaten, or a through ball in front of O10. X5 fulfills a similar role taking responsibility for O9 and area B. X2 is responsible for O7 and area C. X2 is allowed to play so far from X7 as by the time the ball switches from sideline to sideline he will be able to get into a position to pressure the ball.

Offside

Offside is a rule that can play to the advantage if a flat back four if they are mentally aware and communicate well. Players should assume any player that drifts behind them is offside, this lack of attention to detail can cost a goal. For example, in diagram C X3 is slow to join his team mates and plays O9 onside giving him a head start for a through ball against X4.

Diagram C

Joining the Attack

Playing a back four allows a backline to contribute to the attack, especially in the wide areas. When midfielders have the ball the central defenders should look to provide a safe backwards pass option, and switch the play if the opportunity exists.

Fullbacks in a back four have the opportunity to overlap and create mismatches on the flanks as illustrated in diagram D below;

Diagram D

In diagram D X11 has the ball and X3 has overlapped providing a dilemma for defensive player O7. If O7 tracks X11 with the ball a through ball to X3 is a danger. If O7 tracks the run of X3 then X11 can carry the ball in and create a 3v2 mismatch with the opposition central midfield players.

When X3 overlaps X4 has slid over wide to avoid being hit on the counter attack, X5 and X2 also adjusts. If the switch ball is used X7 will be expected to drop into the right back defensive spot. The time taken to switch flanks will allow time for X7 to do this.

Defending in soccer as a back four.