IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
DEFENSIVE TEAM SHAPE
Neil Warnock QPR
Neil Warnock took up his first managerial post at Gainsborough Trinity in 1981. He moved on to Burton Albion, before guiding Scarborough into the Football League for the first time in their history. Successful spells at Notts County, Huddersfield Town, Plymouth Argyle and Bury followed, before the likeable Yorkshireman was unveiled as Sheffield United boss in December 1999.
A fantastic period of success followed for the Bramall Lane club, including FA Cup and League Cup semi- finals, the First Division play-off final and, in May 2006, promotion to the Premier League.
Warnock switched to Crystal Palace in 2007, taking the club into the play-offs before, in March 2010, being appointed manager of QPR.
Rangers have enjoyed a fantastic start to the 2010/11 campaign and occupy one of the automatic promotion places in the npower Championship.
As a player, Warnock turned out for Chesterfield, Rotherham United, Hartlepool United, Scunthorpe United, Aldershot, Barnsley, York City and Crewe Alexandra.
midfielder in front of the back four to act as a screen, preventing or delaying strikers receiving a pass.
When the ball is served long
If the ball is played in behind, defenders must make a quick decision - mark the man or mark the space. If, for example, the ball is played into the left-hand corner and the right-back cannot get across to press the ball, he must cover the space to defend the near post. The central defenders then retreat to the middle area and the left-back covers the space at the far post. Adopt this principle on both flanks.
What are the key things to look for technically/ tactically?
This is an overload situation, so communication between defenders and awareness of each others’ roles is essential. The decision of when an individual should press the ball or when the defence as a whole should retreat needs to be made quickly, but every decision should be purposeful and aggressive.
No matter what the defence does, it must always look to regain shape quickly, delaying the progress of attacking players. Each recovery run is vital, because the whole defence is put under threat if one player fails to recover effectively.
www.elitesoccercoaching.net 1 KEY
Ball movement
Player movement
Dribble
The ball is served long, putting attacking players in behind the defence
2 KEY
Ball movement
Player movement
Dribble
Defenders either mark space or, if they can get to one, an opponent
3 KEY
Ball movement
Player movement
Dribble
While one defender tackles, others organise themselves to press opponents and cover both posts
Elite Soccer: The Collectors’ Series Volume 1 59
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