Match moments / They have the ball
Ball over the top
Their midfielder looks up and their striker is on our shoulder. The centre-back's first steps, the cover from the other defender and the keeper's call decide whether it becomes a chance.
In the match
- Decision 1Centre-back
- Decision 2Centre-back
- Decision 3Keeper
You are 5, our left centre-back.
Their midfielder is about to kick it over the top. What do you do?
Play the build-up, then choose.
Best choice
Dropping a little before the kick gives you a head start, and standing side-on lets you run back without turning all the way round.
It can work
You can still get back, but square-on you have to turn all the way round, and their striker gets a yard on you.
Costly
Offside needs the second-last defender ahead of the striker. 4 stays deep, so the striker is onside and now has a clear run behind you.
In the match, play carries on from the best choice.
You are 4, our right centre-back.
5 is racing their striker. Where do you go?
Play what happened next, then choose.
Best choice
This is cover. If their striker gets past 5, you are between them and the goal.
It can work
You are back, but if their striker beats 5 they beat you too. Cover means being behind.
Costly
Their winger is far from goal. The danger is the striker in the middle, and 5 is on their own.
In the match, play carries on from the best choice.
You are our goalkeeper.
The ball bounces into our box, ahead of everyone. What do you do?
Play what happened next, then choose.
Best choice
Inside the box you can use your hands, and you will reach it first. The shout tells 5 to leave it and stops the two of you colliding.
It can work
5 may still win it, but you have left the race to them, and if their striker gets there first they are one against one with you.
Costly
Without the shout, you and 5 both go for it. A collision or a mix-up gives their striker a chance.
How you know it is happening
- Their midfielder has time on the ball and looks up.
- Their striker is on the shoulder of our last defender.
- Our back line is high with space behind it.
Why it works
A ball over the top is a race. Whoever is already moving wins it. Defenders who drop and turn side-on before the kick get a head start, a covering defender behind them stops a second chance, and a keeper who calls early can sweep it up.
The tactics behind it
Your job, by position
- CBCentre-back
- When the passer looks up, take two steps back and turn side-on.
- Never step up on your own.
- If you are not racing, cover behind the one who is.
- GKGoalkeeper
- Start a few metres off your line when our back line is high.
- Call "keeper" or "away" early and loudly.
- DMHolding midfielder
- Press their passer, so they cannot look up and pick the pass.
- FBFull-back and wing-back
- Tuck in towards the centre-backs when the ball is on the other side.
How to explain it
- Show the difference between square-on and side-on: ask a player to sprint back from each.
- Give the keeper and defenders two words: "keeper" and "away". Practise them.
On the training pitch
- On your ownTurn and recoverThe technique underneath it, with a ball and some space.
- The practice2v2: pressure and coverThe same decision, over and over, with a little pressure.
- The gameEnd-zone gameA small-sided game set up so the moment keeps happening.
Set the game up so it keeps happening
- Attackers score by running onto a pass into the end zone.
- Defenders win a point for every ball over the top they win.
Three things to say
- Drop before the kick.
- Side-on to run.
- Cover behind.
- Call early.
On Saturday
Tick them off on the day. Nothing is saved: print the page if you want to keep it.
After the whistle
Ask yourself
- Were you side-on before the kick?
- Did you step up alone at any point?
What to look back on
- Which side did the balls in behind come from, and who was covering?