Building From The Back Without A Pivot

Introduction

It seems in the past five years and the past two seasons especially teams have adopted the method of play by using possession to generate advantages starting from their own third. The benefits have been showing undeniably when performed successful. This article will challenge the point of view that the central cooridor and even half spaces to some extent have to be occupied at all times in many systems. This piece will offer an alternative to the standard pivot and double pivot systems. When vacating the pivot area this creates the oppurtunity to disconnect the defense through the center and create dynamic movement into these areas with your momentum taking you upfield allowing for a faster breaking of the defense. Before really getting into the article I would like to say that my biggest concerns on this idea is properly preparing for transitions with secure rest defense and may lead to isolated attack if the movements are fluid to enter space at the right speed and time. On top of this the article will feature the high block defensive diagrams that were used in the premier league on Saturday, 09–14–2020.

Principles Behind The Idea

In the modern game at the highest level most teams will play the ball short from the back at least initially. This pass is more often then not a pass into the center or half space. When the ball is played to the pivot area the player receiving the ball has a negative field of view (pressing trigger for the defensive team) which…