Tactics / Defending

Step up together

When the ball goes backwards, the whole back line steps up at the same moment, which squeezes space and can leave their forwards offside.

Out of possessionFrom 9v9Match moment: Go over themMatch moment: One against the keeperMatch moment: Ball over the top

OUR NEW LINEOFFSIDEGK3452810
  • Us
  • Them
  • Pass
  • Run
  • Dribble

Why it works

A back line that drops when nothing is happening invites pressure. Stepping up together keeps the team compact, and any forward who is slow to come back is offside.

What players do

  • One defender, usually a centre-back, calls the step: "up!"
  • Step on the pass backwards, while the ball is travelling.
  • Step together and in a line. One player staying back plays everyone onside.
  • Never step up when the passer has time and is facing forward.

Common mistakes

  • One defender stepping late and playing the forward onside.
  • Stepping when the passer is unpressed and looking forward.
  • Watching the ball and forgetting the runner.

With young players

No offside in 7v7 and younger, so learn this from 9v9. Before that, still step up to keep the team close 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: Defending crosses

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
    • Come up behind the line, ready to sweep.
    • Shout "step!" the moment their passer turns back.
    • Sweep any ball played over the line.

    Position guide: Goalkeeper

  • DEF
    Defenders
    • Step together on the call.
    • Watch the ball, not your forward, so the whole line moves on the same cue.
    • Stay level: one defender a step behind plays everyone onside.

    Position guide: Centre-back · Full-back

  • MID
    Midfielders
    • Press the passer so they cannot look up.
    • Press the passer so they cannot look up and play over the line.
    • Move up with the defence so the gap stays small.

    Position guide: Holding midfielder · Central midfielder · Attacking midfielder

  • ATT
    Forwards
    • Press the ball so it goes backwards.
    • Press the ball so it goes backwards: that is the cue for the line.
    • Block the pass back to their midfield.

    Position guide: Winger · Striker

Practices that train it

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