Defending The 18-Yard Line

This is a situation that probably needs to be walked through by the coach.

The majority of teams these days, no matter what system they play, tend to show players inside when defending. However, once the back four reach the 18-yard line, more often than not the defending player will show the opponent outside. Such a tactic utilizes the end-line of the pitch where the attacking player is running out of space.

In this situation, the attacking team have still to get beyond the 18-yard line and the wide player (O7) in possession is being forced inside. Having done this, X4 needs to get as close as possible to O7. This forces O7 to put his head down and focus on the ball, which will limit his passing options.

The 'line' is now set by X3 who needs to position himself close enough to X4 so that a pass into space A, in order to get past him, has to be so firm and straight that it will either run out of bounds or go through to the goalkeeper before O9 or O10 can get to it.

Because of X3's positioning, which makes it extremely difficult for O7 to pass behind the defense into space A, O7 is more likely to play a pass to the feet of O10 or O9, which invites X3 and X2 to come forward to make a challenge and not find themselves turned and facing their own goal.

If X3 does not move far enough across, then a pass played into space A becomes a real possibility and a well timed run by an opponent (O9) puts them through on goal with only a goalkeeper to beat.