Inspira(on

The  Defending  Con(nuum  

 
By  Kelly  Cross  
©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
 Outcomes:  

• To  propose  a  ‘defending  con(nuum’  

• To  look  closely  at  the  ‘man-­‐oriented’  
end  
• To  consider  the  implica(ons  for  the  
coach  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

1.  The  Objec(ve  of  Defence  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

‘You’ve  got  to  put  it  in  
the  old  onion  bag’  

Tommy  Smyth  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 Basic Objectives in the Main Moments

Counter-attack

BPO to BP

Prevent
BPO
BP
Score

Goals
Goals

BP to BPO

Counter the Counter

© Kelly Cross 2010

 Ball Possession Opponent

How does the opponent score

goals?

Prevent
By getting the ball into your goal

Goals

© Kelly Cross 2010

 Ball Possession Opponent

How does the opponent get the

ball into your goal?

Prevent
By getting the ball and one of
Goals
their players into a position
where they can put the ball into
your goal

© Kelly Cross 2010

 Ball Possession Opponent

How do you stop them getting

the ball into your goal?

Prevent
By stopping them getting the ball
Goals
and one of their players into a
position where they can put the
ball into your goal

© Kelly Cross 2010

 Ball Possession Opponent

Who can stop them scoring goals?

Your outfield players

Prevent

Your goalkeeper

Goals

Referee

© Kelly Cross 2010

 Ball Possession Opponent

So, how will you stop them

getting the ball and one of
their players into a
Prevent

goalscoring position, using
Goals

your outfield players and
goalkeeper within the Laws of
the Game?

© Kelly Cross 2010

 BPO

Objective: Prevent Goals

How: Stop them getting the ball and one of their players into a goalscoring
position

What we know:

Where is a goalscoring position?

83%

inc Direct FKs and
Penalties 91%

Long-range shots: 7%

Direct FKs from distance: 2%

© Kelly Cross 2010

 How do you stop the opposition scoring?

Stop the ball getting into a
goalscoring position?



Stop an opponent getting into a
goalscoring position?



Stop an opponent with the ball
getting into a goalscoring position?

© Kelly Cross 2010

 Can you stop the opposition scoring?

Or is it....

Reduce the number of goalscoring

opportunities they can create?

Influence the type of goalscoring

opportunities they can create?

Defend in such a way that our strengths

are highlighted and their strengths nullified?

© Kelly Cross 2010

2. Defending Philosophies

© Kelly Cross 2010

 How are goals prevented?

The Million Dollar Question!

© Kelly Cross 2010

 The Two Million Dollar
Question!

How do you prevent goals being
scored against you



without reducing your
own ability to score?

© Kelly Cross 2010

 WC 2010 - all goals

91% of all the goals in the 2010
World Cup came from getting the
ball and a player in here

121

+ 9 penalties

+ 2 direct FKs

© Kelly Cross 2010

 © Kelly Cross 2010

A continuum in attack

As proposed earlier in ‘Ball Possession’

Possession-based
Direct Play

Patient
Impatient

 © Kelly Cross 2010

A continuum in defence?

What would you put at each end of the scale?

???
???

 © Kelly Cross 2010

A continuum in defence?

A suggested way of looking at the extremes

Man-marking
Space-marking

 © Kelly Cross 2010

A continuum in defence?

Mark every
opponent
tightly
wherever they
are, over the
whole field

Man-marking
Space-marking

 Mark every
opponent
tightly wherever
they are, over



the whole field,
AND follow
them wherever
they go

© Kelly Cross 2010

 © Kelly Cross 2010

A continuum in defence?

Drop off and
Mark every mark the space
opponent near our goal,
tightly regardless of
wherever they where the
are, over the opponents are

whole field

Man-marking
Space-marking

 © Kelly Cross 2010

Drop off and

mark the space
near our goal,
regardless of
where the
opponents are

 © Kelly Cross 2010

What are the strengths and

weaknesses of each extreme?

Drop off and
Mark every mark the space
opponent near our goal,
tightly
wherever they
Feasible?
regardless of
where the
are, over the opponents are

whole field

Man-marking
Space-marking

 © Kelly Cross 2010

What happens when you move away

from the extremes?

Mark every
opponent tightly
wherever they are,
over the whole
field, but keep
one spare at
the back

Man-marking
Space-marking

 © Kelly Cross 2010

Mark every
opponent tightly
wherever they
are, over the
whole field but
keep one
spare at the
back

 © Kelly Cross 2010

What happens when you move away

from the extremes?

Mark every
Drop off and mark the
opponent tightly space near our goal,
wherever they are, regardless of where the
over the whole opponents are but
field, but keep press the ball carrier
one spare at when he is in our
the back
defensive third

Man-marking
Space-marking

 © Kelly Cross 2010

Drop off and mark

the space near our
goal, regardless of
where the
opponents are but
press the ball
carrier when he
is in our
defensive third

 © Kelly Cross 2010

What happens when you move away

from the extremes?

Mark every
Drop off and mark the
opponent tightly space near our goal,
wherever they are, regardless of where the
over the whole More opponents are but
field, but keep feasible?
press the ball carrier
one spare at when he is in our
the back
defensive third

Man-marking
Space-marking

 Mark every opponent tightly wherever they are, over
the whole field but keep one spare at the back

© Kelly Cross 2010

 Mark every opponent tightly wherever they are, over
the whole field but keep one spare at the back

© Kelly Cross 2010

Drop off and mark the space near our goal, regardless of
where the opponents are but press the ball carrier
when he is in our defensive third

© Kelly Cross 2010

Another way of looking at the ends of
the continuum?

Man-to-man, Deep, zonal

full-field defending with
pressure
all players back

© Kelly Cross 2010

 A  fact  to  
remember  
© Kelly Cross 2010

Space  has  never  
scored  a  goal  
© Kelly Cross 2010

Zone Defence versus Man-to-man

At a certain moment ‘mark the

space’ has to change to ‘mark
the man’

And, at a certain moment ‘mark
the man’ has to change to ‘mark
the space’

© Kelly Cross 2010

When should‘mark the space’ change to ‘mark the man’?

© Kelly Cross 2010

When should‘mark the space’ change to ‘mark the man’?

© Kelly Cross 2010

When should‘mark the space’ change to ‘mark the man’?

© Kelly Cross 2010

When should‘mark the space’ change to ‘mark the man’?

© Kelly Cross 2010

When should‘mark the space’ change to ‘mark the man’?

© Kelly Cross 2010

When does ‘mark the man’ change to ‘mark the space’?

Opponent Di Maria
Argentina - WC 2010 (v Korea Rep)

Man-to-man plus sweeper, but Di Maria decides not to mark his
opponent tightly
© Kelly Cross 2010
 The  Defending  Con(nuum  

• The  ‘man-­‐oriented’  end  

• Familiar?  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 The  ‘Man-­‐Oriented’  end  

• Greece,  European  Champions  2004  

(OTo  Rehhagel)  
• Clips  from  the  Final  v  Portugal  
(Greece  won  1-­‐0)  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010   Observe  these  three  defenders  

Alterna(ve  approaches  
 Three  seconds  later,  s(ll  marking  (ghtly  
Looks  like  man-­‐to-­‐man  plus  sweeper  at  the  back  

Alterna(ve  approaches  
Huge  space  at  ‘right-­‐back’  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 Full-­‐backs  man-­‐mark  and  follow  Portugal’s  wingers  Figo  and  Ronaldo  
Here,  the  le[-­‐back  and  right-­‐back  are  about  5m  apart,  10m  from  the  right  

Alterna(ve  approaches  
sideline,  since  Figo  and  Ronaldo  obviously  try  to  drag  them  out  of  posi(on  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 Alterna(ve  approaches  

The  huge  space  therefore  created  in  le[-­‐back  area  

can  be  exploited  by  Portugal  right-­‐back.  
Greece’s  le[-­‐winger  has  to  track  him.  
Observe  nature  of  marking  off  the  ball.   ©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
 When  the  approach  fails,  the  sweeper  has  to  come  across  and  deal  with  it.  
All  10  field  players  are  in  view;  you  can  see  this  is  not  a  tradi(onal  zonal  team  with  ‘lines’  

Alterna(ve  approaches  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 The  ‘Man-­‐Oriented’  end  

• U-­‐20  World  Cup  2007  

• Brazil,  Portugal,  Mexico  
• Argen(na,  Champions  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

BRAZIL BRAZIL
- More of aof‘man-to-man’
- More approach
a ‘man-to-man’ approach

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

BRAZIL BRAZIL
- More of aof‘man-to-man’
- More approach
a ‘man-to-man’ approach

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

BRAZIL BRAZIL
- More concerned
- More concerned with attackers
with attackers thanthan
space. Man-
space.to-man
Man-to-man with a sweeper
with a sweeper

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

BRAZIL BRAZIL
- More concerned
- More concerned with attackers
with attackers thanthan
space. Man-
space.to-man
Man-to-man with a sweeper
with a sweeper

©  Kelly  Cross  2010vv  

 BRAZIL - With a more ‘man-to-man’ approach, spaces are
BRAZIL allowed
- With ainmore
central approach,
areas. Not compact,
‘man-to-man’ spaces
not zoning up.
are allowed in central areas. Not compact, not zoning
up.

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

BRAZIL - BRAZIL
Pushing- Pushing
up on a up
USAon
throw-in. Almost man-to-man.
a USA throw-in. Almost man-to-man.
7 Brazilians in USA half
7 Brazilians in USA half

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 BRAZIL - (cont’d from previous slide). Of the 3 remaining
Of the Brazil
3 remaining
field Brazil field players,
players, 1 is marking
1 is marking striker
striker nearnear halfway,
halfway-line, 1 is
1 is marking USA right-winger, third is sweeping (out of picture)
tight with USA right-wing player, and the third is sweeping
(out of picture)

Compact, zonal teams

tend not to allow so
much space in central
areas

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 BRAZIL - Not overly concerned with cover or second defender,
BRAZIL - Not overly concerned with ‘cover’ or ‘second
prefer to mark players tightly
defender’, prefer to mark players tightly

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

MEXICO - Tight
MEXICO man-to-man
- Tight man-to-man in midfield
in midfield

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

MEXICO - Tight
MEXICO man-to-man
- Tight man-to-man in midfield
in midfield

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 MEXICO
MEXICO - Front
- Front 3 3pushed
pushedup
up on
on 33 of
ofPortugal’s
Portugal’sback four
back four

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

MEXICO (cont’d)
MEXICO man-to-man
(cont’d with
from previous sweeper.
slide) man-to-man with
sweeper. ‘Spaced out’ defence
‘Spaced out’ defence

Left-back
just out of
shot

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

MEXICO (cont’d)
MEXICO man-to-man
(cont’d with
from previous sweeper.
slide) man-to-man with
sweeper. ‘Spaced out’ defence
‘Spaced out’ defence

Left-back
just out of
shot

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 ‘Spaced out’
‘Spaced defending
out’ defending

Left-back

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 MEXICO -- 2v1
MEXICO 2v1 on
onthe
thestriker;
striker;
man-to-man, ‘spaced out’ otherwise
man-to-man, ‘spaced out’ otherwise

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 MEXICO -- 2v1
MEXICO 2v1 on
onthe
thestriker;
striker;
man-to-man, ‘spaced out’ otherwise
man-to-man, ‘spaced out’ otherwise

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

PORTUGAL - man-to-man
PORTUGAL - man-to-man with sweeper
with sweeper (versus Mexico)
(versus Mexico)

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

PORTUGAL - man-to-man
PORTUGAL - man-to-man with sweeper
with sweeper (versus Mexico)
(versus Mexico)

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 PORTUGAL - man-to-man (versus Mexico)
PORTUGAL - man-to-man (versus Mexico)

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

ARGENTINA - Not compact,
ARGENTINA 2v2 at back
- Not compact, 2v2 atwith
back screen in front;in
with screen
left wing-back is wing-back
front; left just leavingisPRK
justright wing;
leaving theright
wideback
rightis PRK player;
near halfway, close to wide
right wing-back lefthalfway,
is near PRK player.
close to wide left PRK
player.

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 ARGENTINA - PRK throw-in. ARG more concerned with players
ARGENTINA - PRK4throw-in.
than space. attackers,ARG more
so only concerned with
5 defenders.
players than space. 4 attackers, so only 5 defenders.

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

CONTRAST: Slovenia defending a throw-in

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

Contrast: AC Milan defend
Man U throw - 2004 ©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
 COMPARE: Argentina U20 defending a throw-in

Big  Centre-­‐back  Fazio  tracks  his  

man  all  the  way  to  the  sideline  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 ARGENTINAby
Shape determined - Shape determined
opponent’s positions by opponent’s positions
(man-to-man
(man-to-man
approach). 4 players inapproach). 4 players
a vertical line, in athe
rather than vertical line,
typical rather than
horizontal the typical
back-four, horizontal back-four, or midfield
or midfield.
zone. Balance in defence?

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
Similarities between Brazil and Argentina defence, shown above.
Both are only narrow and compact when opposition attack like that.
Both have a ‘man-to-man’ approach, with a spare player at the
back. They are also prepared to be without a sweeper if necessary.
Both defend with the minimum number of players, which leads to
more attacking options when they win the ball.

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

9v4 DPR KOREA

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

USA 4v0
5v2 AUSTRIA
©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
5v4

ARGENTINA
©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
 How  you  defend  affects  how  you  aTack  

Is  ‘man-­‐to-­‐man’  a  founda(on  for  those  with  an  

‘aTacking’  philosophy?  
 
U-­‐20  World  Cup  2007   Shots  on  Goal   Goals  
Argen(na   62   16  
Argen(na’s  Opponents   24   2  

(7  games  played)   2.5  x  beTer   8x  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 The  ‘Man-­‐Oriented’  end  

• Chile,  World  Cup  2010                                  

(Marcelo  Bielsa)  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

The  ‘Man-­‐Oriented’  end  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 ©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

How  you  defend  affects  how  you  aTack  

Is  ‘man-­‐to-­‐man’  a  founda(on  for  those  with  an  

‘aTacking’  philosophy?  
World  Cup  2010   Shots     Shots  on  Goal   Goals  
Chile’s  Opponents   40   12   6  
Chile   64   19   3  
1.5  x  beTer   1.5  (mes  beTer   !!  
(4  games  played)  

Chile  (v  Spain)   9   4   1  

Spain  (v  Chile)   9   3   2  
Chile  played  with  10  men  for  53  minutes  
Bielsa’s  Bilbao  v  Barca  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 ‘Get  between  the  lines!’  

‘Where  are  the  lines?’  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 The  ‘Man-­‐Oriented’  end  

• Argen(na  and  Brazil,  World  Cup  

2010  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 Defend with 7; could soon develop into a 7v7; Tevez looks on;
no sign of Messi or Higuain

HEINZE  
BURDISSO  
DI  MARIA  

DE  MICHELIS  

MASCHERANO  

OTAMENDI  
RODRIGUEZ  

TEVEZ  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

Defend with 7; could soon develop into a 7v7; Tevez looks on;
no sign of Messi or Higuain

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 Defend  with  7  –  3v3  at  back  

TEVEZ  

MESSI  

Messi and Tevez ready to help if needed?

Higuain? ©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
 Do you have to defend in ‘lines’?
Or ‘Keep the right distance between Back Four and Midfield’?

RODRIGUEZ   OTAMENDI  

MASCHERANO  

3v3 at back, Mascherano pushing on, Otamendi

and Rodriguez dropping back
©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
 Basic  defending  unit  -­‐  ‘Back  Five’  

Screen  (‘no.6’)   +   Back  four  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

Full  defending  unit  -­‐  7  players  

Two  ‘50/50s’   +   Screen  (‘no.6’)   +   Back  four  

Messi  (‘(p’  of  the  midfield  diamond)  plus  Tevez  and  Higuain  (two  strikers)  rarely  drop  in  
to  defend:  instead  they  try  to  maintain  aTacking  posi(ons  so  Argen(na  have  three  
forward  op(ons  when  they  win  the  ball  
 Tevez  watching  -­‐  7v7,  but  sees  no  need  to  get  back  

TEVEZ  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 7v7  -­‐  Tevez  gemng  interested,  Messi  s(ll  observing  

TEVEZ  

MESSI  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

Spaced  out,  defending  deep  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

Defending  with  7  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 Defending  with  7  
‘You  can  have  players  who  don't  run.  
 
In  our  team  at  Chelsea  we  have  three  aTacking  players  
but  I  don't  want  them  chasing  full-­‐backs  and  making  
themselves  (red.  
 
So,  for  example,  Robben  might  not  defend  when  their  
full-­‐back  comes  forward  with  the  ball.  That's  OK,  because  
Lampard  will  then  go  across  and  challenge  him  and  the  
other  two  midfielders  will  cover  for  him.’  
   
Jose  Mourinho,  2006  
©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
Brazil,  WC  2010  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 MICHEL  BASTOS  
JUAN  

LUCIO  
RAMIRES  

GILBERTO  SILVA  
MAICON  

Brazil  defending  philosophy  -­‐  defend  with  6  ‘dedicated  defenders’  

Opponents  receiving  the  ball  in  their  half  are  (ghtly-­‐marked;  see  how  
Maicon  was  in  a  posi(on  where  he  could  aggressively  press  the  no.11  if  he  
received  it  (Lucio  doing  the  same).  They  are  not  concerned  with  spaces  
between  the  lines  and  each  other  
©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
 MAICON   LUCIO  
(right-­‐back)   (spare  centre-­‐back)  

JUAN  
(centre-­‐back)  

MICHEL  BASTOS  
(le[-­‐back)  

GILBERTO  SILVA  
(screen)  

Brazil  defending  philosophy:  BACK  FOUR  SPACED  OUT  

Back  four  posi(ons  determined  by  opponents,  not  by  a  desire  to  be  in  pre-­‐determined  lines  
or  zones.  Nearest  full-­‐back  (M  Bastos)  has  advanced  to  mark  his  direct  opponent,  other  FB  
(Maicon)  stays  away  to  keep  an  eye  on  his  opponent,  no.11.  One  centre-­‐back  (Juan)  
marking  near  le[  touchline,  other  (Lucio)  sweeping.  One  screen  (G  Silva)  man-­‐marking  
Chile’s  ‘10’,  other  is  pressing  his  opponent.  
NOT  COMPACT  -­‐  SPACES  BETWEEN  LINES  AND  EACH  OTHER   ©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
 ONE  ‘DEDICATED  STRIKER’  
LUIS  FABIANO  

THREE  ‘OCCASIONALS’   BACK  FOUR  PLUS  TWO  SCREENS  

Brazil  basic  defending  approach  

(Contrast  with  ArgenSna)  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 Brazil  basic  defence  
Back  4  plus  2  screens,  man-­‐marking  with  a  spare  centre-­‐back  
CBs  will  either  mark  or  ‘sweep’  depending  on  where  the  striker  is  
©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
 MICHEL  BASTOS  

LUCIO  

JUAN   RAMIRES  

GILBERTO  SILVA  

MAICON  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 Brazil  defend  a  throw-­‐in  1  
Back  Four  man-­‐marking,  even  on  opposite  side  of  the  field;  
sweeper;    
©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
 RAMIRES  

GILBERTO  SILVA   DANI  ALVES  

Brazil  defend  a  throw-­‐in  2  

(same  instance  as  previous  slide)  
Tight  man-­‐marking,  high  up  the  field    
©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
 Brazil  defend  another  throw-­‐in  (1)  
Tight  man-­‐marking,  even  on  opposite  side  of  the  field;  le[-­‐back  
(Bastos)  not  in  view  as  he  is  close  to  his  opponent  
Lucio  sweeping   ©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
 MICHEL  BASTOS  

Brazil  defend  another  throw-­‐in  (2)  

(Few  seconds  later)  Tight  man-­‐marking,  Lucio  sweeper;  see  
Michel  Bastos  (ght  on  opposite  side  of  the  field,  and  no  
aTempt  to  tuck  in;  leaving  a  big  space  centrally  
©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
Clearly,  the  ‘man-­‐marking’  end  has  
a  different  star(ng  point  

NOT  wedded  to  a  ‘forma(on’  

NOT  locked  in  to  ‘lines’  
NOT  a  preferred  set  of  ‘numbers’  
 
BUT  
Principles  
Guidelines  
Outcomes  
©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
 Different  star(ng  point  
NOT  ‘Mark  dangerous  space’  
 
SPACE  HAS  NEVER  SCORED  A  GOAL  
 
PERHAPS  THEY  WOULD  SAY:    
 
‘It’s  not  dangerous  (ll  someone  goes  there’  
 
‘Don’t  allow  space  to  become  dangerous’  
©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
 Why  this  approach  might  interest  you  

‘Because  it’s  there’  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 Why  this  approach  might  interest  you  

Because  you  might  play  

against  a  team  using  this  
or  a  similar  approach  
©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
 Let  us  not  forget…  

• Space-­‐oriented  defending  isn’t  a  

magic  wand!  
• Gemng  8,  9  or  10  players  behind  the  
ball  isn’t  a  foolproof  method  of  
preven(ng  goals  
©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
 Gemng  9  defenders  behind  the  ball  isn’t  a  foolproof  method    

Ghana  have  9,  Germany  5,  but  Oezil  has  space  and  (me  to  line  up  the  shot  and  score:  
Germany  won  1-­‐0   ©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
 Fundamental  ques(on  
The  first  principle  of  defending  in  most  

people’s  opinion  is  ‘PRESSURE  ON  THE  

BALL’.  

Does  the  ‘man-­‐marking’  end  provide  this  

more  o[en?   ©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 Points  to  consider:  

• If  ‘space-­‐marking’  end  is  done  badly,  

you  don’t  get  REAL  pressure  on  the  
ball  
• You’re  o[en  ‘on  the  way  as  the  ball  
travels’  
©  Kelly  Cross  2010  
Food  for  thought!  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

 Outcomes:  

• To  propose  a  ‘defending  con(nuum’  

• To  look  closely  at  the  ‘man-­‐oriented’  
end  
• To  consider  the  implica(ons  for  the  
coach  

©  Kelly  Cross  2010  

Thank  You  

124
©  Kelly  Cross  2010