Tactics / Defending

Defend the half-space

The channel between our full-back and nearest centre-back is where runners hurt us. When the ball is wide, the full-back goes to it, the centre-back slides into the gap, and the midfielder tracks any runner all the way.

Out of possessionFrom 9v9

THE HALF-SPACECLOSEDGK254368109
  • Us
  • Them
  • Pass
  • Run
  • Dribble

Why it works

A runner in that gap is easy to lose: the full-back thinks it is the centre-back's job, and the centre-back thinks it is the full-back's. A simple rule for who goes where closes the gap before the pass is played.

What players do

  • Full-back: go to the ball when it is wide.
  • Centre-back on that side: slide into the gap, not out to the ball.
  • Other centre-back and far full-back: slide across too, staying a few metres apart.
  • Midfielder: track your runner all the way into the channel. Do not hand them over to a defender who is already busy.
  • Talk: "I have the runner", so the gap is never left twice.

Common mistakes

  • The full-back and the centre-back both go to the ball, and the gap opens.
  • The midfielder stops running when the runner reaches the defence.
  • The far centre-back stays where they are, so the back line splits.

With young players

From 9v9. In 7v7 with two defenders, the gap is between a defender and the touchline, and the rule is the same: slide over together.

Drawn on a 105 × 68 m pitch, showing the part where it happens. Orange attacks left to right and the other team is in blue; numbers are the usual shirt numbers for each position.

Put it into your own team's plan in the team builder, and see what it asks of each player.

Next: Defend the counter

What it asks of each player

The same idea, from every line of the team. Set it up for your own team in the team builder.

Practices that train it

Start with the first, and build up to the game.