This document discusses strategies for beating defensive blocks. It defines the block as having 9-10 players behind the ball in the defensive and midfield thirds. To beat the block, teams must retain possession, switch play quickly to expose gaps, and attack the spaces around and behind the block with overlaps, combinations, and runs in behind. Playing into the feet of runners in the holes between lines or combining short passes to penetrate through the block are effective tactics. Accuracy is essential to bypass a packed defense.

1. Beating the Block
UEFA A Licence Part 1

2. Beating the Block

3. What is and where is the block?

4. Beating the Block
Nine player
block
DMF areas

5. Nine in the block In the DF 1/3 Defensive 1/3rd

6. 10 player DMF 1/3 block

7. Meeting the Block
WHEN?

8. Facing the Block – When?
• Opposition defend deep as a strategy.
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• ?
• ?

9. The Block
• Where is it located?
• How many in the block?
• Orientation of the block?
D ½
DM ⅓
AM ⅓
DF ⅓
8 + GK
9 + GK
10 + GK
Where is the first defending line?
Two banks of 4?
Back line of 3 or 4?
High back line?
Deep back line?
Sweeper behind marking defenders?
4 or 5 midfield line?
Screening MF player?
Spaces between units and individuals?
Space behind the back line?
Coach & “Quarter Back”!
Read the block!

10. Strategies for beating the block?

11. Strategies for Beating the Block?
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5. -
6. -

12. Consequence of the Block
• Reduced spaces between defenders.
• Reduced space between defending units.
• Reduced space behind back line and GK.
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Operate instantly, at speed
with deception, accuracy
and measured subtly!

13. Necessities to play against the block ?
• Capability to retain possession – ALL PLAYERS
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14. The Defending “Block”

15. “There is a lack of space in the UEFA Champions League – the
continuing trend towards block defending, squeezing the space
and overloading the midfield also make it difficult to find space
and time especially in the opponents half of the field.”
Arsene Wenger – Arsenal FC Manager 1996 -

16. 7
1
4
2
10
8
5
11
3
9
6
How many in the
block?
Where does it start?
Italy with Sacchi!
Rubin Kazani
THE SHIFTING DEFENSIVE BLOCK!
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17. Beating the Block
10 player DMF 1/3
block

18. Back Players in Possession
(in Defending Mid – third)

19. 7
1
4
2
10 8
5
11
3
9
6
How many in the block?
Where does it start?
CB’s Approach Play
Options ahead of the ball
Likely Passing
Requirements?
THE DEFENSIVE BLOCK!
1

20. Coaches work with
defenders!
Likely Passing Requirements
•Straight “driven” over 50 – 60 yards to change play – trajectory!
•Driven with backspin on the 30 – 40 yd diagonals to CF
•“Clipped” up to strikers chest / feet – 30 – 40 yards
•Disguised ground diagonal to MF or “shadow” off the front
•Fast ground pass to strikers / No 10 feet “W” infield
•Measured to space for runners e.g. FB – outside of foot or “chip”
•Wall – passes with MF players on carrying ball forward

21. Playing Across The Block

22. Factors Involved?

23. Across the Block
• Across the back-line
• Across the midfield line
Factors Involved?
Factors Involved?

24. “It is difficult to break down the block – two keys are
fast switches and quick wing play.”
José Mourinho – Real Madrid 2010-

25. 7
1
4
2
10
8
5
11
3
9
6
Across the back line
BRING THEM OUT!
SWITCH & RAID
Depth, relationships
Speed of passes- INTENT?
Targets for passes
Awareness
Receiving skill
How far will they come
forward?
Do they all come together?
Do they come at all?
Do they leave vulnerable
spaces?
-Behind the back line?
-Inside the block?
THE DEFENSIVE BLOCK!
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26. 7
1
2
10
8
5
11
3
9
6
Fast last ground pass!
Significant Factors in
changing the play?
THE DEFENSIVE BLOCK!
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27. .
Playing Around The Block

28. Factors Involved?

29. 7
1
4
2
10
8
5
11 3
9
6
Overlaps to “cut across”
defenders.
Shorten the service into the box.
Variety of methods to release
overlapper.
Underlaps beyond wide players
AROUND THE BLOCK
ATTACKING FULL BACK
THE DEFENSIVE BLOCK!
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30. 7
1
4
2
10 8
5
11
3
9
6
AROUND THE BLOCK
ATTACKING FULL BACK
THE DEFENSIVE BLOCK!
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31. 7
1
4
2
10
8
5
11
3
9
6
4
Numbers in the block
Penetration to the sides
LIKELY PASS REQUIREMENTS
Measure passes to space with pace
and backspin
Playing off both feet and any surface
Fast and soft returns on wall-passes
Disguise before the wall pass
movement
Ability to play off both feet and with
different surfaces
1

32. Playing Into And Through The Block

33. Playing In Front Of The Back Line

34. Factors Involved?

35. Through The Block Penetrating the back line!
Targets Behind
?
The Passer
?
Targets In front
?

36. Attacking Centrally

37. Methods Of Beating The Defensive Block
UCL 2007-2008 Prevalence Goals That Beat The Block
Getting Free In The Hole 39%
Crosses 35%
Solo Play 34%
Central Through Passes 27%
One-touch Passes 27%
One-Two Combination Play 25%
Long Passes 25%

38. Getting Free In “The Hole”
LW
CBCB
LB RB
CF
CMCM
CF
RW
GK
Almost 40% of all goals scored through long passsing
sequences in the UCL 2007-2008 involved a player
receiving the ball in space in the central zone
just outside the penalty box in between
the defensive and midfield units

39. CBCB
LB RB
GK
How Does He Get Into A Position To Receive?
STAND STILL!
33%
In from The
Wide
9%
Drift Back Off The
Back 4
25%
Movements Inside
The Central Zone
13%
Runs From Deep Central
Areas
16%
In from The
Wide
9%
Getting Free In “The Hole”

40. 7
1
4
2
10
8
5
11
3
9
6
PLAYING INTO THE BLOCK
Fast delivery to feet
Manage the pass for
self & others
Often with disguise
THE DEFENSIVE BLOCK!
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41. 7
1
4
2
10
8
5
11
3
9
6
Fast delivery to feet
Manage the pass for self
& others
Striker is ABLE TO TURN –
options?
PLAYING INTO THE BLOCK
THE DEFENSIVE BLOCK!
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42. Playing Behind The Back Line

43. Factors Involved?

44. 7
1
4
2
10
8
5
11
3
9
6
PLAYING BEHIND THE BACK LINE
GREAT PASSERS
NEED
GREAT RUNS!
THE DEFENSIVE BLOCK!
1

45. 7
1
4
2
10
8
5
11
3
9
6
COMBINATION PLAY
&
THIRD MAN RUNNING
PLAYING BEHIND THE BACK LINE
THE DEFENSIVE BLOCK!
1

46. 7
1
4
2
10
8
5
11
3
9
6
PLAYING INTO & THROUGH
THE BLOCK, LIKLEY
REQUIREMENTS?
THE DEFENSIVE BLOCK!
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47. Playing Over The Block

48. From What Distance & Angle

49. 7
1
4
2
10
8
5
11
3
9
6
Angle to Goal
Position of Back Line
Position of GK
Quality of ball-holder?
Additions!
Attacking the spaces behind
THE DEEPER DEFENSIVE BLOCK!
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50. 7
1
4
2
10
8
5
11
3
9
Angle to Goal
Position of Back Line
Position of GK
Quality of ball-holder?
Additions!
Attacking the spaces behind
Long, late-bending cross
THE DEEPER DEFENSIVE BLOCK!
1

51. Past The Block

52. 7
1
4
2
10
8
5
11 3
9
6
Space for the receiver to set-up the strike
Excellence in the first controlling touch
Strike with “power” technique
Straight or “spin” shots?
Minimal time to prepare
Strike first time to passes
Rebounds!
Scoring from distance
THE DEEPER DEFENSIVE BLOCK!
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