How to defend like England: space in behind
- The Boot Room
- 12 March 2021
In a series of articles, we look at how our England national teams defend and explore how you can use this approach to prepare your players for the modern game. Here, we look at defending the space in behind.
You lose possession in the opponent’s half and they start a counter attack. As they race forward, one of your defenders decides to press them. You know this might delay the attack, but it will also leave space behind your defender. Plenty of room for the opposition to exploit. Closing down opponents with urgency is on the rise, as more teams, like England, adopt an aggressive pressing style.
However, when pressing, space is created 'in behind' the defence. This gives opposing players an opportunity to hurt you – as they can use this space to their advantage.
Because of this, the physical demand placed on defending players increases. They may find themselves pushing up to press before having to turn and sprint back to mark, cover and defend their goal.
To master the art of defending in this situation, players need to be comfortable defending within central and wide areas. They also need outstanding 1v1 defensive skills and the ability to deal with large spaces in behind their defensive line.
Now that’s a lot to ask – and it won’t happen overnight. Gradual steppingstones are key. In time, you can help your players develop the skills to deal with these situations – just like our men's senior team do here.
Let's pick apart that clip to really highlight England’s strategy with defending the space in behind.
How do England attempt to delay the attack?
As the ball travels across the pitch, the England team move in relation to this. This maintains a compact shape and applies pressure on the player in possession. As a result, the opposition are forced to play around England’s shape – which delays the speed of their attack.
What influences the defender’s decision to step up or drop?
England’s defenders need to assess whether the player on the ball has time or is under pressure. They should also consider the striker’s movement and what space they’re trying to exploit.
If the opposition player has time on the ball and their striker makes a run in behind, England might drop to defend the space. However, if the opposition player is under pressure and the striker is coming short, they may decide to step up the pitch.
How do the players respond to the ball in behind?
As the ball goes in behind the defence, players sprint back to mark, cover and defend their goal. The team works as one and recover their shape, which limits the opposition's progression. In this state, England can be more strategic with their press and increase the opportunity of launching their own counter attack.
What this means for you
So that’s how our England teams do it, but how could the same approach help your team?
Using this exact strategy with young players might not be the best way to go. But snippets of it can help develop their ability to press and defend the space in behind.
Here are three examples:
- Encourage your players to stay positive when they lose possession. No one wants to give the ball away, but if they channel any disappointment into tracking back and helping their teammates, they’ll soon have it at their feet again. As transition frequently happens within match play, using a games-based approach will naturally foster these actions.
- Expose your players to bigger areas that replicate the demands of the game. Try experimenting with different pitch sizes, such as long and thin. This allows players to experience tracking back over bigger distances, plus getting back into shape as they quickly change from attack to defence.
- Provide your players with the opportunity to practice when to press, cover and balance. Working on these can help players to build a bank of problem-solving experiences across a variety of scenarios.
These tips will help your players develop valuable skills that can be sharpened on the next stage of their journey.
For more defending content like this, take a look at how to defend like England: transition.
