Ideas to help reducing space defending as a team
Currently, in Football, having the control of the game has to be made with and without the ball. Having a good positional balance in the offensive process is key to be safe in possession. However, coordinating defensive behaviours has to be developed in articulation with the offensive process because when the Team defends has to do it preparing the attack. The zonal pressing will be developed in this post because it’s a good support to the attacking behaviours that I like to see.
Defending well relies on some basic principles and is a process with a high level of complexity. We start on solidarity because as part of the team players have to be available to help permanently acting and reacting quickly when the team loses the ball. So before the tactical work in the pitch there has to be a team building process to transform the minds creating availability to help, to cover, overall to build trust between teammates. This process will make all the elements more ready to act in different defensive roles which is important in a dynamic and intense game as Football.
Being available to work without the ball as team doesn’t mean always that we will run 1’30’’ without the ball, for instance. What means is that as a part of the group the player will be activated mentally to act and react quickly without the ball. Sometimes means that reacting in the right context will avoid the defensive block to recover 30 or 40 meters.
As the main references we have the ball area, our teammates, our goal to make decisions and the pressing in the ball. Choosing the zonal pressing as a process will push the players closer to the ball to press with 2 main objectives, conquer the ball or win time to organize lines. Sometimes, after losing possession, reacting to press immediately to win the ball is the best decision but that has to be made based on triggers, because if the opponent has the situation under control holding position and time to reshape will be the best thing to do.
