Tactics / Defending

The low block

Drop deep, close to our own box, in two narrow lines. Give them the ball out wide and in front of us, but no space behind or between.

Out of possessionFrom 11v11Match moment: Shot from the edge

THE BLOCKGK345211867910
  • Us
  • Them
  • Pass
  • Run
  • Dribble

Why it works

Against a stronger team, taking away the space behind our defence is often the best way to stop goals. The shots that are left come from far out, through a crowd.

What players do

  • Back line on the edge of our box; midfield line 8 to 10 m in front of it.
  • Narrow: protect the middle; let them have the wings.
  • Block every shot: get your body in the line of the ball.
  • Leave one or two forwards up to break when we win it.

Common mistakes

  • Dropping so deep that the keeper has no room.
  • A gap between the two lines for their 10 to receive in.
  • Nobody up front, so every clearance comes straight back.

With young players

Useful to understand, but young teams should not defend this deep all game. They learn more from pressing and playing.

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: The mid block

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.

  • GK
    Goalkeeper
    • Command the box; organise the lines in front of you.
    • Talk all the time: who is marking whom, which way to shift.
    • Come for crosses into the six-yard box.

    Position guide: Goalkeeper

  • DEF
    Defenders
    • Hold the edge of the box. Block shots.
    • Stay in a line across the edge of the box, no wider than the box.
    • Block shots with your body, arms behind your back.

    Position guide: Centre-back · Full-back

  • MID
    Midfielders
    • Stay close in front of the defence. Narrow.
    • Stay within five to ten metres of the defence.
    • Stop passes into the striker's feet; let them have it wide.

    Position guide: Holding midfielder · Central midfielder · Attacking midfielder

  • ATT
    Forwards
    • Stay up, ready to break. Block passes into their holding midfielder.
    • One or two stay forward so the clearance has a target.
    • Stand between their holding midfielder and the ball.

    Position guide: Winger · Striker

Practices that train it

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