Defending With a Back Three
Back Three?
Qualities Needed By Back Three
Defenders?
Back Three
“Personnel” Requirements – Physical
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Pace (Speed and Explosiveness)
Acceleration/Deceleration
Height/Spring
Agility
Mobility and Adaptability (Left/Right)
Body Strength
Cognitive Requirements?
“Personnel Requirements – Mental
1 “Scanning” ability
2 “Awareness”
3 Reading the game (Eyes, head, ball-holder/movements)
4 Anticipation
5 Mental Agility
6 Decision-making ability
7 Prioritising from alternatives
8 Action
Psychological Requirements
Psychological Factors
1 Concentration/Focus skills
2 “Cunning”
3 Composure
4 Fortitude
5 Determination
6 Discipline
7 Mental toughness
8 Rigour
9 Creativity
Factors involved
1 “Distance” (influenced by pressure/angle of pressure)
a) From the ball
b) From the goal
c) From the Goalkeeper
d) From next defender in back 3
e) From opponent who is your responsibility
f) From the Midfield unit (wing backs)
2 Will vary in different phases/situations in the game
3 Influenced by position of the ball, likelihood of delivery
and where ball could be delivered to.
Essential Defensive Skills?
Defending Skills
1 Marking
2 Tracking
3 Pressing from both front and rear
4 Intercepting
5 Spoiling
6 Challenging
7 Heading
8 Covering/Balancing
9 Sliding/Reaching?
10 Blocking crosses/shots (defend to the END)
Attacking skills
1 Receiving skills-all surfaces
2 Distribution skills-both feet/all ranges
3 Carrying/RWTB
4 Heading to clear the ball/pass the ball
5 Clever turning skills
6 Support skills-behind/around/ahead of ball
7 Combination play skills
Defenders Sequence
1 Read the play
2 Positioning
3 Anticipate events
4 Awareness
5 Prioritise
6 Decision making
7 Defend
• Back 4 v Back 3?
What are the Strengths and Weaknesses of these types of
Defending Units?
Back Four
Strengths
Weaknesses
1 Defend the width of
1 Vulnerable if the ball is
the pitch
switched quickly
2 Can deal with combinations 2 Problems if a Central
of Strikers
defender is pulled out of
3 Can keep distances uniform
a central area
4 Clear marking/covering
(Holding mid-field player
roles
No 10/Shadow Striker)
• Back Three
Strengths
Weaknesses
1 Strong in central areas
2 Allows the coach to pick
various types of defender
1 Vulnerable to attacks
“down the sides”
2 Clever strikers who play
in between the 3
3 Combinations of Strikers
(3 strikers/1 central and
1 behind)
4 Wing backs work load
Knowledge Base: Back 3 Deployment
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World Cup Finals 2010: 3 teams
Serie A: 7 teams. Serie B: 9 teams
Barcelona v Chelsea
Premier League: Wigan Athletic
Championship: Blackburn Rovers
OFC Nations Cup: 2 teams
Euro 2012: ?
PLAYING WITH A BACK 4
2
BACK 4 - ITALY
7
5
7
4
9
6
8
1
10
3
11
2
BACK 4 – BRAZIL YOUTH
7
7
5
9
4
8
6
10
11
3
1
BACK 4 - ARGENTINA
7
7
2
4
9
5
6
8
1
10
3
11
BACK 4 - UKRAINE
7
7
2
4
5
9
6
8
1
10
11
3