Defending in a back 3 (or even a four)

The 3-4-3 (or a 3-3-2 in a nine player team that is often what junior and females play at grassroots level) offers a 3 “man” backline that is very strong against central attacks but can concede space to the opposition down the flanks.

 

It is important that, in this system, one central midfielder, has the ability to cover in the defensive spots, particularly if one of the central defenders is drawn out wide to pressure the ball, follow a player that they are marking or close down an opposition cross!

 

For this reason, some teams who use the 3-4-3 designate a holding midfielder to shield the back line, and cover when necessary. This was historically, and still today often, known as “The Makalele role” (named after Claude Makalele).

This role allows the other midfielders to join the attacks with less risk of being exposed on the counter attack.

 

In a three man defence the centre-back's main (not not only!) job is to repel the attacks of the opposing team, primarily by tackling and heading the ball out of the danger zone. 

As stated previously this OFTEN (but not always) means conceding the wide space and allowing opposition attacks to get crosses into your penalty area!

 

The defenders in this formation also need to learn when to "shepherd" the attacker and ball away from goal rather than dive in to make a tackle. 

IT’S CALLED “STAYING IN THE GAME”!

 

The rule needs to be - make a tackle ONLY when 100% sure of winning the ball. 

After all a defender "on their arse" is of no value to the team defensively unless the ball is out of play!!

 

A centre-back can mark a player in a certain area (zonal marking) or pick up a designated opposition player ("man"marking).

 

Playing in the centre of defence requires strength, bravery, concentration and an ability to read the game. 

But the most valuable asset for any team defending (and its players) is communication - loud, clear instruction is crucial to the effectiveness of the defence as a whole (but remember, defending is a team activity, not just the back line - this applies in a four man defence too!)

 

While their teammates' passing may be expansive; centre-backs generally keep things simple, distributing short passes, often to the wide players, or into the midfield “creators” early in the attack!

Low risk passing is the priority, as losing the ball in your defending third is more likely to result in a goal conceded than any other area of the pitch!

 

It is also imperative that together with the wide players, and any identified defensive midfielder, they (central defenders - which is ALL of a 3 man defence) implement an effective covering system for each other! 

 

In my teams, I expect one centre back to attack the ball and the others to drop back to cover as this gives defences depth and better shape! 

 

In addition, Centre Backs should go up to attack every attacking corner as they are usually amongst the best headers in the team.

This is as well as defending the area between six yard line and penalty spot when defending corners.

If they are not in that area of their “box”, they should be in front of it rather than behind it as that is where most corners go (i.e. to the front half of the area, not the back)

 

When facing an opposition free kick I expect the central defenders to instruct other players where they want them to be positioned, but note this is not a "would you mind" instruction, but more of a "you WILL go there"!!

 

The only exception should be “direct shot” free kicks (both direct and indirect), where a shot at goal is likely, where I expect the keeper to also have the major say!

 

All the of this information is intended to be "educational" and in the interests of development; so please don't read it as criticism if “you, as a player, aren’t there yet”, because you are probably still doing a great job for the team!!

 

To better understand how to play in a defence, three or four players, I suggest you (as a coach) and your players watch the following four players and treat them as “role models” (on the pitch)

STUDY IN THE GAME (from the past 20 years)

JOHN TERRY (Chelsea)

RIO FERDINAND (Man Utd)

JOHN STONES (Man City)

VIRGIL VAN DYK (Liverpool)

 

So, that’s defending (centrally) in a three man defence, but these principles work equally well when looking at central more backs in a “traditional” four man defence!

And, finally, remember “goal scoring centre backs” are a bonus to your team, their priority is, and should always be, stopping your opponents scoring!