फुटबॉल रणनीतियों का विश्लेषण
फुटबॉल रणनीतियों का विश्लेषण
Formations: football tactics explained - The Coaches' Voice
We dive into the strengths and weaknesses of the main football tactics and formations: 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2, 4-4-2 diamond, 3-5-2 and 3-4-3.
the full-backs
The support and security provided by a double pivot allows <anchor>the full-backs</anchor> to push forward more effectively. They will often do so at the same, which may not be the case from a 4-3-3 formation. The defensive midfielders in a double pivot also protect the spaces between the lines and ahead of the centre-backs. They are able to move across to cover the wide areas more quickly and more effectively than a single pivot would be able to. This means they can get across following a switch of play, or cover the spaces an advanced full-back leaves vacant.
Coaches' Voice |
# The modern full-back: explained

Getty Images

SHARE

Powered by

What is a modern full-back?

The modern full-back is a wide defender in a back line of four who, as well as defending the wide areas, is also responsible for joining attacks and creating chances. This is done primarily through forward runs that either overlap or underlap a winger or wide-midfield teammate. The modern full-back’s duties are at both ends of the pitch; they must support attacks and defend in almost equal measure.

Where does the term ‘modern full-back’ originate from?

Full-backs were originally the deepest players in the 2-3-5 formation that was common in the early 20th century, but as the four-player back line grew in popularity, the full-backs moved out to the sides. These players have traditionally tended to be defensive players, but there have been some notable exceptions – such as the Brazilian side that won the 1958 World Cup, with full-backs Nílton and Djalma Santos playing in attack-minded roles. As the game has developed, full-backs have grown in importance in attack: the term ‘modern full-back’ highlights the position’s all-round contribution in the modern game.

What are the in-possession responsibilities of a modern full-back?

A modern full-back must make constant overlapping and underlapping forward runs ahead of the wide teammate ahead of them in midfield. After getting into attacking areas, it is the full-back’s job to provide crosses, cut-backs, through balls into wide areas – or to run on to through balls – and switches of play.

Dribbling and driving forward runs over larger distances are also important, while the ability to beat an opponent in one-on-one situations and create is also useful.



Modern full-backs also have to provide their team’s width in attack, with wingers or wide forwards often taking up more narrow positions (such as Mo Salah, above). Full-backs often take up positions to receive switches of play, with this positioning also useful in that it takes opponents away from their wide-midfield teammate, who will usually be more dangerous in possession.

What are the out-of-possession responsibilities of a modern full-back?

Full-backs in the modern game are often tasked with playing a supporting role in pressing high up the pitch by moving into advanced areas, especially out wide. After pushing up high, the full-back tends to need to try and cut off direct balls down the touchline into the space behind them, with the aim of forcing play into more crowded areas.

Modern full-backs have to be extremely fit and hard-working, willing and able to chase back after a loss of possession to protect the areas outside the centre-backs. They need to cover long distances to chase the ball down after an opposition switch of play.

The modern full-back also has to be agile, fast and smart with their defensive positioning, and therefore able to defend effectively in one-on-one situations.

Who are the best modern full-backs?

Trent Alexander Arnold

In Liverpool’s 4-3-3 under Jürgen Klopp, Alexander-Arnold provides world-class crossing from a variety of positions. He is able to deliver dangerous balls from a static position a long way from goal, but also capable of making overlapping runs to the byline before picking out a teammate. He offers exceptional ability when it comes to making accurate switches of play, and he can break lines with through balls from wide areas and with direct passes over the top of the opposition’s defence.



Andy Robertson

Robertson provides a similar attacking threat to Alexander-Arnold in the same Liverpool side, but is more penetrative with his runs and offers a greater threat in one-on-one situations, able to push the ball past an opponent and beat them before crossing (above). He isn’t as technical as Alexander-Arnold, and offers less variety in his creative passing, but he’s more athletic and can cover ground more quickly both with and without the ball.

Jordi Alba

A key cog in the legendary Barcelona and Spain sides of the 2010s, Alba’s deep overlapping runs offer a constant threat down the left flank, and he benefits from the brilliant passing ability of his teammates. He is often found via direct passes through and over the opposition, but he can also receive on the turn, usually before putting a cross along the ground. He enjoys plenty of success in creating through cut-backs for Lionel Messi, who pulls back to the edge of the box. Alba’s vision, awareness of his teammates’ runs and ability to adapt his crossing depending on their position are some of his standout traits.

Which other players are examples of modern full-backs?

• Dani Carvajal and Marcelo for Real Madrid under Zinedine Zidane.



What are the benefits of playing with a modern full-back?

Playing with an attack-minded full-back allows the winger or wide midfielder to move inside and attack more directly towards the opposition’s goal, while also creating overloads in central areas that are likely to be more threatening than those in wide areas. Modern full-backs also provide an option to attack around the outside of an opposition block; their high and wide positioning can also stretch the opposition’s back line and create more space in central areas. This positioning can also drag the opposition’s winger or wide midfielder back towards their own goal, thereby limiting their own attacking threat.

What are the disadvantages to playing with a modern full-back?

Playing with a modern full-back can leave big gaps in wide areas into which the opposition can counter-attack. If they can access this space, the centre-backs may be left exposed with a fast attacker dribbling towards them at pace.

If a coach asks the full-back to contribute to both the attacking and defending phases of the game, but the player isn’t capable of doing one or the other adequately, the team can suffer. The position requires immense physical capacity, particularly in terms of speed, stamina and endurance; if the player selected cannot keep up with the pace of the game, their team can be left with serious deficiencies at one or both ends of the pitch.

To learn more about football tactics and gain insights from coaches at the top of the game, visit CV Academy.

Author:
Tony Hodson



Popular

Newsletter

The Coaches' Voice WeeklySuperb insights and stories from the top names of football delivered to your inbox weekly.

Coaches' Voice Icon
© Coaches' voice
2024. All rights reserved.

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

Accept

Close GDPR Cookie Settings



- Privacy Overview
- Strictly Necessary Cookies
- Performance cookies
- Additional Cookies

Privacy Overview

- Our website uses cookies to distinguish you from other users of our website. This helps us to provide you with a good experience when you browse our website and also allows us to improve our site.
- A cookie is a small file of letters and numbers that we store on your browser or the hard drive of your computer if you agree. Cookies contain information that is transferred to your computer's hard drive.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These are cookies that are required for the operation of our website. They include, for example, cookies that enable you to log into secure areas of our website.

Enable or Disable Cookies

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

Performance cookies

These allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors and to see how visitors move around our website when they are using it. This helps us to improve the way our website works, for example, by ensuring that users are finding what they are looking for easily.

Enable or Disable Cookies

Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!

Additional Cookies

This website uses the following additional cookies:

Cookie****Purpose****More informationjoin-mailing-listWordPress sets this cookie when you load any page, We will hide newsletter form after click on close button and it will not show again on any page.Cookie Value: 1

Expiry time: 1 weekgated-list_WordPress sets this cookie when you load an article page, We will hide contact form after you click on the close button and it will not show again on the particular article page.Cookie Value: dynamic cookie value generated here

Expiry time: 1 weekwordpress_test_cookieWordPress sets this cookie when you navigate to the login page. The cookie is used to check whether your web browser is set to allow, or reject cookies.Cookie Value: WP Cookie check

Expiry time: sessionwp-settings-1WordPress also sets a few wp-settings-[UID] cookies. The number on the end is your individual user ID from the users database table. This is used to customise your view of admin interface and in some circumstances the main site interface.Cookie Value: Text indicating your preferred settings

Expiry time: sessionwp-settings-time-1WordPress also sets a few wp-settings-[UID] cookies. The number on the end is your individual user ID from the users database table. This is used to customise your view of admin interface and in some circumstances the main site interface.Cookie Value: Text indicating your preferred settings

Expiry time: sessionwordpress_logged_in_xxxxxWordPress uses this cookie to indicate when you’re logged in, and who you are, for most interface use.Cookie Value: Your login details in an encrypted form

Expiry time: sessionwordpress_xxxxxWordPress uses these cookies to store your authentication details, and their use is limited to the admin console area.Cookie Value: Your login authentication details in an encrypted form

Expiry time: session

- Please note that third parties (including, for example, advertising networks and providers of external services like web traffic analysis services) may also use cookies, over which we have no control. These cookies are likely to be analytical/performance cookies or targeting cookies.
- You can block cookies by activating the setting on your browser that allows you to refuse the setting of all or some cookies. However, if you use your browser settings to block all cookies (including essential cookies) you may not be able to access all or parts of our site.
- Except for essential cookies, all cookies will expire after the expiry periods stated in the table above.

Enable or Disable Cookies

Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!

Enable AllSave Settings