Zonal defending flat back four book

This book offers an inside look into the tactical training of the back four and midfield units, using zonal defending exercises from italy. The coaches have moved to a compact and organized flat back four. We look at how your players should organise themselves, what are their roles and responsibilities as defenders, and how they should react in different defensive situations. The flat back four by jim disalle fixing kids sports by peter cary.

To provide a training environment that will foster a flatter, zonelike defense, especially in the back. In this book, gray looks in detail at what turns eleven men in shorts into a soccer team. Based on the book by jack detchon technical director, tony waiters the success of brazil with a zonal system in the 1994 world cup where they were the best defenders as well as the best attackers has focused attention on this method of defending. Zonal defending was brought into the main steam, by arrigo sacchi of ac milan, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Defending near the sideline and close to the penalty area 6. I have purchased more than a dozen soccer coaching books, many of which are. Zonal defense belt helps players understand defensive shape and zonal defending principles. Does the traditional diamond defense still live in youth. Layout 3 vertical lines of cones about 25 yards out from the goal line. We started using a flat back four in defence this season for no reason. Pressing creating a strong side and making play predictable 9. In activity 3 the defending team showed a flat back four what would. The second, third and fourth diagrams show positional plays for defending, transitioning and attack ing. The third team is placed on the half way line they will commence as attackers initially.

Sweepers and individual zones for the marking backs is still by far the norm. Buy flat back four zonal training belt from soccer. White 8 to shuffle inside also, to provide cover on blue cmf. Zonal defending book 48 pages by jack detchon contains sections on. In playing the playing many modern formations such as the 433 of 442, most coaches have abandoned the diamond defensive formation that emphasized preventing an opponents attack often at the expense of other phases of the game. Alternatively, the defensive midfielder 6 can drop in and start the moves off if the opponents only have two strikers pushed on the back four. The defenders have also to read the body shape of their direct opponents. These last seasons, beside the 3 man defense, the coaches have moved to a compact and organized flat back 4.

Zonal defending, the italian way book the best aspects. Players will look at the flat back 4 as 1v1 marking. Thats what sets great managers apart, and the 4 51 has almost come to serve as a virtual litmus test in this respect. So the central defenders drop back immediately into the yellow area in order to retain an advantage in case of a pass behind them. Soccer learning system zonal defending the flat back four.

The flat back four is rarely flat if done properly. If players understand how to play effectively in a manmarking sweeper. It also describes how the midfielders and forwards have to move. The flat back four by jim disalle fixing kids sports by peter cary games vs. Flat back four defend groups of attackers who come from end line with the ball.

They perfected the use of space and positioning in their defensive tactics. Sacchi deployed a flat back four, in a 4 4 2 formation, that would prove enormously. Mar 17, 2019 for example, a center back moves to the flank to defend the rightattacker and the left defender runs toward the center to cover the center back position, while retreating. Sacchi made the flat back four and zonal marking in a 442 formation into a science. I have purchased more than a dozen soccer coaching books, many of which are system specific e. Either the sweeper or the flat back four system can be utilized. Play begins with the middle team who look to attack one of the goals. Soccer tactics zonal defending 07 flat back 4 versus different. If the last are positioned with their back to the goal and there is no way to move towards it, the defender has to stay close to him.

I recently read a book on how to train the flat back four, coaching the 442, by. With a lot of illustrations and a bit of text, detchon explains the zonal concept and builds it up from 1v1 through 3v3 and finally to a flat back four zonal system. I think coaching the combination of zone and man marking to all players is. The key to a flat back four and zonal defending is team shape. It will also leave space open at the top of the penalty area when defenders track opponents away and midfielders dont cover. Youll learn here how to start teaching your soccer team how to defend as a team. The majority of teams nowadays seem to be playing without a.

Collaboration of the fullback with the winger and the defensive midfielder 7. Based on the book by jack detchon technical director, tony waiters the success of brazil with a zonal system in the 1994 world cup. Zonal defending the italian way provides an indepth look at the italian back four and their philosophy of total team defending. The italians focus on a zonal defense, and in general flatback defense is detailed. Zonal defending requires focus, discipline, athleticism and quality defensive. Of the scores of books i have about soccer, this one provides the most comprehenisve. The book starts by looking at why italian coaches prefer a flat back four. In youth soccer the man marker and sweeper system gives each player very simple, welldefined. The book begins with an explanation of why italian coaches prefer to play with a flat back four.

Mids should, especially in the center, capable of switching positions with the central two defenders. Soccer zonal defending flat back four training dvd soccer. Zonal defending by jack detchon and a great selection of related books. They can attack in combination play up the center of the field or they can send the ball to the flank zone that is free of defenders. The following information is produced for your benefit by the wisconsin youth soccer association. The pewaukee way teaching the zonal flat back four. Lots of communication between the back four, the keeper, and the midfield is essential. Soccer defending with a flat back four knowing when to drop off press duration. This book is dedicated to all coaches, players, parents and officials without whose passion for soccer the greatest game in. Mar 09, 2014 the science of soccer team defending marcus dibernardo. Drill defending in numbersdown situations, such as 3v2, 4v3, 7v4, etc. Ball is crossed quickly and attackers attempt to score.

If you are a new soccer coach, or if you are an established soccer coach who needs to find a way to get your youth soccer team to the next level, the section following will help you understand team defense for soccer. This book is an attempt to give a simple explanation of the concept, at least as it applies to the back defenders. The defensive soccer drills and games in this section will help you coach your players to work as a unit at the back. The two wide midfielders are used as wingers, providing automatic width to the midfield shape. Players need to worry primarily about where they are in relation to each other and the ball. In a flat back, the third and fourth back defenders shift towards the ball align. In the us coaching ranks zonal defending has become a hot topic. Zonal defending by detchon,jack and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Zonal defending requires focus, discipline, athleticism and quality defensive technique and decision making. Flat back three, flat midfield, defending midfielder.

This chapter also looks at the key components of a tight defense. The use of four defenders adds more compactness and balance in the back. When ball is cleared a new group of attackers come at the same defenders. Defining the zones marking, covering and balancing the complete back four the flat back four or is it. The decline of the threeman defence march 24, 2010 the reds threeman defence works well against the blues 442, giving a spare man at the back, and a spare man in an attacking midfield role. This will create dangerous space behind the defender furthest from the ball, who will get caught ball watching. But proper use of zonal defending principles pressure, cover, balance and consolidation negates the need for the offside trap. In the adult rec games i play i see maybe 1 in 15 teams playing a unit zonal defense with a flat back four and even more rarely with the backs and midfielders, i. Most often teams will use one central defender stopper as a man for man marker and the. An introduction to zonal defending in a flat back arrangement.

Zonal defending the italian way will give you an indepth look at the italian flat back four and total team defending. Teaches players how to move together and stay connected to maintain a disci. Key pointscompactness you do not want them to be able to play balls through the gaps they need to go over or around the back four. Here we see how the back four should look once the ball has been passed wide and defender 2 has closed the ball down. The misconception exists that 442 relies on a flat back four and a use of the offside trap. We would like to show you a description here but the site wont allow us. The success of brazil with a zonal system in the 1994 world cup where they were the best defenders as well as the best attackers focused attention on this method of defending. Energetic and speedy forwards can quickly close down the opposition and stop them from playing out from the back.

In defence, using the 1966 world cup side as an example, martin peters, bobby charlton and alan ball would all stay back to counter the opposition attack. Soccer zonal defending flat back four training dvd. He describes how systems like 442 and five at the back really work, uncovers the secrets of catenaccio and total soccer and even explores the psychological tactics players use on the pitch. The book covers the basics of positional movement in zonal defending, whether it is with three or four players in the defense. It then describes how the players in the back line function together as well as how they work with the midfielders to form a solid. Notice the back four is not flat but like angled links between each player with the central defender 5 the deepest player. Presented stepbystep from 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 through the complete flat back four. This includes a look at the history of italians dedication to defense above all else. Flat back 4 versus different systems of play with two. Handing off attackers dribbling across zones of coverage in a zonal defense49.

These practices start with 2 v 2 exercises and build all the way up to 11 v 11 conditioned games. As important as the role of the coach in making zonal defending effective is the individual contribution of the players. I have to say, i am totally nerding out on this book. It is a very effective and versatile attacking system based on coming down the sides as well as spreading the defense and then penetrating through the center. Since then most of the worlds top teams now use some form of zonal defending. Marking, challenging, blocking and defending against crosses. Teach your team to play defense like the pros with our flat back four belt. White 6 to move towards wmf to threaten passing line to blue cmf and blue cf.

Additionally to the theoretical background it also describes training exercises used by different italian coaches, like sacchi, lippi, zaccheroni. Developing play with a defending back four soccer awareness. The flat back four that had become so popular remained intact, but the midfield was a freeflowing unit with players given license to attack as the scenario saw fit. Content taken from sarris assistant francesco calzonas thesis. Keeper takes on sweeper role behind the flat back four 4. Sacchi deployed a flat back four, in a 442 formation, that would prove enormously. Zonal defending stage ii small sided activity passon the attacker organization. Roles and responsibilities of a zonal back four, or manforman and free back roles. The flat back four, with zonal marking responsibilities, is perfectly acceptable for highschoolers. Game situations close to goal 2 37 minutes zonal defending 7.

It is very important to work on covering space, not marking, away from the ball, and on getting support for the first defender near the ball, backing. Nov, 20 zonal defending the italian way provides an indepth look at the italian back four and their philosophy of total team defending. Drills by how to keep your team healthy by lani hollenbeck rn, c. His teams of the late 80s and early 90s were some of the best of all time. The best coaches and players will know about both and will be able to play in them and against them. Think of a flat back four, then maybe three dms ore two dms and an attacker who dropped into midfield a few yards in front of them then two wide guys guarding the on running fullbacks and the one attacker pressing. No single system of play zone or man marking is best for. Role of the four defenders the back four defenders must play as one unit around the entire defensive half of the field. Sacchi made the flat back four and zonal marking in a 4 4 2 formation into a science. It then describes how the players in the back line function together.