By Alex Trukan
With many teams able to defend effectively using compact blocks and denying any available options, it is important to find additional gains attacking team might use to break them down. One of the possibilities to gain further advantage is utilising centre backs higher up the pitch on the opposition half. It is not a new concept, however, it is still relatively unexplored with centre backs stepping in more by chance than after a planned strategy. This article discusses couple of ways how to create opportunities for centre backs to step in and get involved higher up the pitch. This will involve various movements off the ball, passing combinations as well as clever positioning.
As centre backs get in possession of the ball, central midfielders as well as full backs will be looking to push up higher up the pitch and create space in front of the centre backs. This will move the ball closer to the opposition half and provide time and space for centre backs to play. Midfielders will be still looking to receive whenever the opportunity arises but with the emphasis to create space between them and the back line. If the opposition decides to press higher, this is when midfielders might be looking to make supporting movements and create better angles to receive.
As the play develops, centre midfielders might be looking to rotate in a triangle with two of them pushing up higher up the pitch and one dropping deeper (triangle with a point down). This will provide the option to play centrally if needed but will also encourage centre back on the ball to further drive forwards and look to pass into two central midfielders positioned higher up the pitch (8 & 10).
Central midfielder dropping deeper might be used for a combination in a triangle leading to one of the centre backs stepping in. The ball would be first transffered from one centre back into defensive midfielder who will drag opposition midfielders in. After this, the ball is passed straight away into second centre back who will be encouraged to drive forwards into space in front of him that has been just created.
Another opportunity to step in usually arises in half spaces between opposition’s striker (if they play with one) and wide areas. In this situation, centre back on the ball would be looking to involve full back or striker with a longer option. Full back should create good angles to receive and get as high as possible (providing he can receive a pass). Striker should be looking to make a curved run in behind the back line. Midfielder should be looking for gaps to receive and play forwards.
Centre backs should be able to recognise triggers when to join in. One of those triggers might be space in front of them, another one might be opposition players out of positions. Important detail to look out for is the timing of the run. Important trigger to wait for is central midfielder receiving the ball from wide areas on the opposite side. As we can see below, central midfielder gets the ball on a half turn in right side half space and at the same time, left centre back looks to step in and provide a passing option.
Whenever centre backs join in, they will be challenged to play in tighter spaces and under time pressure. This is why, players playing on those positions have to be advanced technically, able to manipulate the ball in tight spaces and make effective decisions under pressure.
By Alex Trukan, Development Coach, Nottingham Forest - @AlexTrukan
