A thread on my basic defensive principles:

“If I have to defend all this blue, I’m a very bad defender. But when I have to defend this table, I’m the best defender. So it’s not a question of if I’m a good or bad one, it’s of the area. The meters. What you have to defend.” https://twitter.com/futbolypizarron/status/1252395677255995392

“You’re only job is to get your other two midfielders. One here, one there. Now you defend the table. It’s not a question of hitting somebody, it’s the area you have to defend.”

This quote reminded me of Jose Mourinho talking about a basic principal of play:

“There are principals of play that have to be permanent. One of them is compactness. Higher block or lower block, but ALWAYS in a block. You have to defend compact.”

There are 4 moments of the game:
-in possession
-defensive transition
-non possession
-attacking transition

Now, while all these intertwine, 2 moments specifically are defensive (non-possession and defensive transition).

First, Non-possession:

As Jose says, you achieve defending the table instead of the room by being in a block. For me, the higher the block is = a higher chance of scoring; because if you win the ball back, you are closer to the goal-but it is crucial that in this press, everyone is coordinated.

The pressure on the ball has to be intelligent-not just fronting the man on the ball. The best pressure is closing distance at speed while blocking a large area (can be nearly 180* of 360* total). The less space the defender has = less time to think = higher % of forcing error.

This is where pressing cues come into play: reception on sideline, poor touch, horizontal pass, reception with back to goal, etc.

These all are cues for a presser to start the press and for his teammates to then join, jumping lines to create overloads and compact the space.

If the pressure on the ball is at the correct angle, the ball can be won back so many times by a presser with a last bit of acceleration. Even if it’s just a block tackle, it’s likely to rebound back at the defender [win thrown in/corner (situational)]

At worst, you reset the press by facing a goal kick or you pin the opposition in a corner with a throw in.

Great individual pressers are intelligent, energetic, positive-intented, and hardworking.

An example of a great presser is Riqui Puig.

His energy and intelligence drives teammates forward to join the press correctly, which are just as crucial as the presser.

The pressure on the ball must occur with the preparation and intensity from teammates to cut passing lanes (dangerous spaces). The more players that are able to jump in unison [step line(s) to close space vacated & form defensive overload] =the harder to play out of the pressure.

An initiation of pressure from a player w/o the necessary teammates closing spaces will allow the opposition to destroy the high block. This leads to attacking overloads for the opposition higher up the pitch. This is why a high block is seen as “more attacking/more aggressive”.

That is the main risk for high blocks. It is critical that the pressure on the ball is followed by condension of space.

If the high block is beat, you are vulnerable. Even if a recovery is able to be made, the block is deeper-> further away from goal -> less chance of scoring.

For me though, if you set up in a deep block and it gets beat -> clear cut opportunity for opposition to score.

If you set up in a high block and it gets beat -> you have the chance to recover (higher up the pitch).

Second defensive moment, Defensive Transition:

Some prefer to immediately drop back into a block and compact space, while others prefer to try to win the ball back right away. Of course there are different methods of this.

For me, I idealize countering the counterattack. The advantages that come with this are massive.

As soon as a player wins the ball back for his team, that is when he is the most disorientated. This provides a high chance of regaining ball possession if immediate pressure is applied to the player on the ball.

This high chance of regaining the ball + the concept of the other team converting into their offensive shape (leaving guards of dangerous spaces) = a fantastic opportunity to use momentum against opposition and attack the prone spaces to arrive at the goal.

Immediate pressure on the ball (from closest to ball in terms of time) forces an action from the disorientated player. This is where it is crucial that other teammates prepare to cut passing lanes off and intercept the forced action from the player on the ball.

When would I want to stop the counterpress? 5 seconds, or common sense.

If the counter press is broken before the 5 seconds or if the ball is retained by the opposition comfortably for 5+ seconds, it’s best to reset into the block and restart press based on pressing cues.

Counter pressing can use a lot of energy (it’s an immediate action after losing the ball) but rest can come to a player during the in-possession phase.

For me, it’s not a question of your legs, but rather of your mind.

It’s the immediate reaction and capacity of the mind to realize that the attack is not over yet. The chance of scoring is still there, it even could be bigger than it was before.

If the sprinting by all required is done intelligently for the 5 seconds, there is a high chance of regaining possession of the ball and entering the attacking transition phase, which can lead to a high caliber of goal scoring chances.

As I said before, all 4 moments of the game intertwine. It’s crucial to remember that how a team sets up in possession dictates a good/bad counter-press & out of possession set-up, which is why just my basic principles are described here as there is no real players or team.

End of thread.

All feedback greatly appreciated.
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