Theres plenty of Goalscoring tactics out there, but very few solid, defensive tactics.
This is because it takes more thought and effort to create a brilliant defence than to bang goals in up top.
People rarely look past Stopper/Cover in modern day football. This is an effective system if done well, but does not combine well with a high D-line or High Pressing football.
Im going to show you different ways of setting up your defence, to get the most out of them in your prefered tactic.
Route 1-Stopper/Cover
I know, seems abit strange to start with the system I just critiscised above. I wasn't criticising the system itself, only the way its become abused in most tactics.
Stopper/Cover is a fairly self explanatory system. One Centre Back with a STOPPER duty and their partner on COVER. The Stopper aims to Move slightly ahead of their partner, cutting out attacks at the source, while the Cover man aims to do just that, Cover the stoppers aggressive defending. He will look to sweep up through balls and crosses that get past the stopper.
To get the most out of this system it is important to follow these guidelines-
-Zonal Marking, Not Man or the cover defender will not function correctly.
-NEVER play offside trap with Stopper/Cover, its highly ineffective due to the mixed aggression line.
-Do not play a hugely high D-Line or again the Cover Man wont perform properly, Normal or Deep are recomended.
If done properly Stopper/Cover can be hugely effective, providing a solid defence against a large variety of Attacking lines.
Best Used in formations like the 4-4-2 or flat 4-3-3 doesn't require a Defensive Midfielder and allows for a fairly attack minded midfield. A good system for those who seek balance.
ADVANTAGES
- Good Defence against Variety
- Balanced Backline
- Sets up Counter Attacks well
Route 2-The Offside Trap
For those who love attacking, high pressure football the offside trap defence is for you.
It allows for a high pressure, High d-line defence while keeping you safe in the knowledge that most counter attacks/through passes from your opponent will be stopped almost immediately through the offside trap.
Another that is easy to set up. 2 LIMITED DEFENDERS (Important) on defend, with a High D-Line and High Pressing. Using Limited defenders is important as they will concede less fouls/cards that usually come with a high pressure system.
For this system MAN marking is recomended so your CB's will stick to there man and then step forward at the correct time, resulting in the trap.
Best Used in High Pressure systems. Attack Minded 4-2-4, 4-5-1 and Flat 4-3-3 will benefit best from this. Again, defensive midfielder not required in the 4-5-1 so you can really press the assault.
Advantages of the Offside Trap Defence are as such
-Allows for a high pressure game while keeping a strong defence
-Higher D-Line will result in your Cb's winning the ball higher up the pitch therefore increasing pressure
-Slow Strikers will be decimated by this system as they dont have the pace to 'Break' the offside trap
Route 3-Superdeep Defence
A rarely seen system in Modern Football, Most recently used by Jose in his Chelsea days.
The Superdeep Defence is Incredibly hard to breakdown and initiates Counter-Attacks like no other system.
To set up a SD defence your going to want to-
- Play a deep D-line
- Play it Narrow and through the middle
- More Cautious Tackling and Stand Off Pressing
All of these allow the opponent to play football ahead of your D-Line yet will run into a wall of Bodies when they try to play towards goal. It will make your team super difficult to break down at the expense of pressure higher up the field. Its important to have the Counter attack option ticked with this system to give you maximum benefit of drawing you opponent on to you. Again, as above, the Double Limited Defenders on defend are the partnership of choice.
Best used by weaker/counter attacking teams. Will need a Defensive Mid to stop the opponent waring you down to much and to provide the link between attack and midfield. 4-5-1, 4-2-3-1 Deep and the 4-1-1-3-1 will all benefit from this system
Hope this helps you lot.
Feedback Please
This is because it takes more thought and effort to create a brilliant defence than to bang goals in up top.
People rarely look past Stopper/Cover in modern day football. This is an effective system if done well, but does not combine well with a high D-line or High Pressing football.
Im going to show you different ways of setting up your defence, to get the most out of them in your prefered tactic.
Route 1-Stopper/Cover
I know, seems abit strange to start with the system I just critiscised above. I wasn't criticising the system itself, only the way its become abused in most tactics.
Stopper/Cover is a fairly self explanatory system. One Centre Back with a STOPPER duty and their partner on COVER. The Stopper aims to Move slightly ahead of their partner, cutting out attacks at the source, while the Cover man aims to do just that, Cover the stoppers aggressive defending. He will look to sweep up through balls and crosses that get past the stopper.
To get the most out of this system it is important to follow these guidelines-
-Zonal Marking, Not Man or the cover defender will not function correctly.
-NEVER play offside trap with Stopper/Cover, its highly ineffective due to the mixed aggression line.
-Do not play a hugely high D-Line or again the Cover Man wont perform properly, Normal or Deep are recomended.
If done properly Stopper/Cover can be hugely effective, providing a solid defence against a large variety of Attacking lines.
Best Used in formations like the 4-4-2 or flat 4-3-3 doesn't require a Defensive Midfielder and allows for a fairly attack minded midfield. A good system for those who seek balance.
ADVANTAGES
- Good Defence against Variety
- Balanced Backline
- Sets up Counter Attacks well
Route 2-The Offside Trap
For those who love attacking, high pressure football the offside trap defence is for you.
It allows for a high pressure, High d-line defence while keeping you safe in the knowledge that most counter attacks/through passes from your opponent will be stopped almost immediately through the offside trap.
Another that is easy to set up. 2 LIMITED DEFENDERS (Important) on defend, with a High D-Line and High Pressing. Using Limited defenders is important as they will concede less fouls/cards that usually come with a high pressure system.
For this system MAN marking is recomended so your CB's will stick to there man and then step forward at the correct time, resulting in the trap.
Best Used in High Pressure systems. Attack Minded 4-2-4, 4-5-1 and Flat 4-3-3 will benefit best from this. Again, defensive midfielder not required in the 4-5-1 so you can really press the assault.
Advantages of the Offside Trap Defence are as such
-Allows for a high pressure game while keeping a strong defence
-Higher D-Line will result in your Cb's winning the ball higher up the pitch therefore increasing pressure
-Slow Strikers will be decimated by this system as they dont have the pace to 'Break' the offside trap
Route 3-Superdeep Defence
A rarely seen system in Modern Football, Most recently used by Jose in his Chelsea days.
The Superdeep Defence is Incredibly hard to breakdown and initiates Counter-Attacks like no other system.
To set up a SD defence your going to want to-
- Play a deep D-line
- Play it Narrow and through the middle
- More Cautious Tackling and Stand Off Pressing
All of these allow the opponent to play football ahead of your D-Line yet will run into a wall of Bodies when they try to play towards goal. It will make your team super difficult to break down at the expense of pressure higher up the field. Its important to have the Counter attack option ticked with this system to give you maximum benefit of drawing you opponent on to you. Again, as above, the Double Limited Defenders on defend are the partnership of choice.
Best used by weaker/counter attacking teams. Will need a Defensive Mid to stop the opponent waring you down to much and to provide the link between attack and midfield. 4-5-1, 4-2-3-1 Deep and the 4-1-1-3-1 will all benefit from this system
Hope this helps you lot.
Feedback Please
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