When I play a back four, with a sweeper, it is really a back three with a single player behind the three man line, my plan is that this will be a good solid defender but also, a ball playing one to initiate attacks, they should have many attributes, the key ones being

• Ability to read the game well

• A great organiser

• A good passer

• Quick

• All the other defensive requirements

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The more forward of the two centre backs, the stopper, is the marker, and all the defenders have a primary responsibility for marking a player, as opposed to true zonal play.

But I don't want the full backs too wide - when we are defending I expect the wide midfield players to drop into a full back role.

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I don't worry too much about opposing teams trying to overload the defence, because I have the sweeper to cover anyone who comes free or leaves their area.

Most opponents will also play either 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 so we will have at least one spare player at all times!

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The sweeper ideally shouldn't have to touch the ball. However all players make mistakes sometimes.

The sweeper should simply clean up the garbage and continue to provide knowledge and instruction through their vision and communication.

The sweeper doesn't mean that the other defenders don't develop. But it does mean that they don't necessarily get punished on the scoreboard when they make a mistake.

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If the opposition push on to you (as I want US to do against opponents who have a sweeper) you need to step up and play opponents offside BUT your other defenders always need to be in front of you!!

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Playing a sweeper, really requires a great player to be that sweeper, someone who can win the ball, distribute well (forwards, sideways back), fill the gap between the defensive line and our keeper and most importantly can communicate decisively and assertively!!

Ideally someone who has played midfield (CDM especially) in the past!

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When we are attacking I want my sweeper to be organising to prepare for any counter attack!!

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I believe that the sweeper position is becoming obsolete, as a great deal of teams rely on the offside trap as a defensive strategy. Needless to say, the offside trap only works with straight back line, which needs a mobile/fast keeper who is quick off the line, so you cannot have both a sweeper and operate the offside trap.

 

The sweeper's ability to read the game is even more vital than for their central defensive partner as they also have to utilise the "marking defenders"

 

The sweeper is a defensive position in football, so called because their job is to 'sweep up' any attacking moves which pass other defenders.

 

It is generally considered a highly specialized position. The sweeper is usually placed between the goalkeeper and the defensive line, this is in order to get the best from players in front of them and also the keeper

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ANY questions - talk to your coach

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