Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): 3 phase push up defensive line

1st phase push up

The first phase push up is the first stage to move away from the goal playing the remaining opponents in the box in an offside position. The picture shows the corner being taken, cleared to the opponents but all the defenders push up out the box to the 1st stage push up line putting the remaining blue attackers offside. If the player crosses the ball they will be offside and a free kick awarded. It is up to the opponents to drop back and get to an onside position. Although i have not shown the red midfielders because i wanted to make the picture simple to understand, in a real game their would be midfielders in the box too. These midfielders should carry on pushing up beyond the edge of the box to press the ball to try and win possesion. Only the defenders push up to the 1st phase line and hold there. It is important to communicate with all players in your team to push up out the box otherwise if one player is not concentrating then they could play the opponent onside and a cross into the box would not be offside. Being one as a team is very important.

2nd phase push up

The rough rule for the next phase is when the ball is near the halfway line then look to push up to the 2nd phase line. There are a few scenarios where the ball is near the halwat line. The opponent may pass backwards to keep possession, they may dribble with the ball into space or they may be tackled and the 2nd ball bounces in that direction or maybe your team has won possession and are starting an attack. For any reason you would look to push up to the 2nd phase line and any blue opponent players are offside and need to get back onside. Now you have achieved the 2nd phase push up line and the ball is now a long away away from our goal. Like with the 1st phase the midfielders which are not shown would be pressing the ball near the halfway line so the midfield are the next phase line ahead of the defensive line.

Exeptions and key points

Exception

There may be situations where you can bypass 1st phase and head straight to 2nd phase. This is because the ball has quickly gone from the penalty area or corner areas (shaded area) high up the pitch beyond the halfway line. A good example is the goalie catching the ball and kicking long, along pass from a player or a long clearance. There is no need to stop at 1st phase so go straight to 2nd phase. Once you get to 2nd phase, assess where the ball is and if it is in the opponents defensive 3rd then go to 3rd phase.

Key Points

Working as a defensive unit, communicating and being in sync with each other are key for pushing up to work as a defensive tactic. If players are not inline with the rest of the defensive unit then they could be playing players onside and the unit breaks down. Normally you will have 1 player in the unit controlling the line and making sure the other players are pushing up and are not left behind. To recap the rough rule is when the ball goes out the box past the 1st phase line push up to 1st phase. When the ball goes deeper than halfway line push up to 2nd phase and if the ball is in opponents defensive 3rd, push up to 3rd phase.