Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Central defender out of possesion zones

Profile Summary

Name:	Steve Gulliver
City:	Southampton
Country:	United Kingdom
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

Interface Language

Share this Session

Link Session

Build 3D sessions in seconds

Access to 1000’s of sessions

Professionalise and modernise your coaching

Used by the world’s best coaches

US$

per year

Join today

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 9v9 (3 at the back)

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Save Image:

Create Video:

9v9 (3 at the back)

The central defender is the defender who organises the defence, calls and sets the offside line. He is like the conductor in an orchestra. Understanding the tactical side of defending, anticipating where the ball is likely to go, position yourself in a good starting location to react and being a good communicator with your team mates is key to playing this position well.The in possession zones for the central defender are pretty much the same as the in possession zones. The picture shown is for a 9v9 3 at the back formation. On some occasions the central defender may have to come across into the shaded yellow zones to cover the left or right sided midfielder if they are caught higher up the pitch and the opponent counter attacks into their zone. Being alert and anticipating that this may happen will give you a head start to make your starting position to the edge of your zone so you have less distance to travel and communicate with your other defender to come across and fill your zone. (Shuffling across).

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 11v11 (3 at the back).

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Save Image:

Create Video:

11v11 (3 at the back).

The in possession zones for 11v11 are pretty much the same for 9v9. The only differece with 11v11 is you are more likely to stay central and not come out of the central area the width of the penalty area as you have more protection from the left and right defenders. In 11v11 they do not go as far forward to join attacks.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 11v11 (4 at the back)

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Save Image:

Create Video:

11v11 (4 at the back)

Playing 2 central defenders in a back 4 has the same out of possession zones as in possession. The main difference is you would normally come across and cover the full back the same side as you unless your other centre back is marking a striker and you are not marking anyone. In that case you would go across to cover the opposite side full back. The greater change comes when playing 2 central defenders in a back 4 are the split in responsibilities. You will find different centre backs have different things they are good at and having 2 players good at different things gives a good balance to the partnership. For example, some players may be very good at attacking the ball and pressing the forwards quickly and others may be better at reading and sweeping. If you have 2 of the same type then you may find that 2 centre backs that like to attack the ball will both go forward to win the ball leaving space behind in the central area. If both centre backs like to sweep then they stand off which gives the opponent time to get on the ball between the lines unopposed in front of the defence in a central area. They could easily shoot from distance or run at the defence. You would each take a role naturally but if you are similar naturally then you would have to discuss before who would sweep and who would attack the ball. Once again good communication is very important to strike a successful centre back partnership.

Build 3D sessions in seconds

Access to 1000’s of sessions

Professionalise and modernise your coaching

Used by the world’s best coaches

US$

per year

Join today