Attacking from the Flat Four
When attacking, all eleven players must think and play as attacking players. Though different players have different roles the risks taken by the attacking team vary based on field position, all eleven players must think as attackers, especially the defenders as they are key in unbalancing the opposition, and an unbalanced team is one that can be scored upon.
The beauty of the flat four is it gives defenders the freedom to push forward while thinking and playing as an attacking player without the hindrances of worrying about the defensive responsibilities which normally restrain them. With four capable defenders it is reasonable to expect the remaining three defenders to be capable in preventing a counter attack. The aggressive attacking back can vacate his defensive responsibilities without concern as he trusts his teammates to hold down the back line.
The flat four, by nature is dynamic attacking system in that the defenders can attack from the left, right, or central without leaving the defense vulnerable. The defender getting involved in the attack is constantly changing throughout the match depending on where the ball is on the field. If the right fullback pushes into the other thirds the two central and the right fullbacks will hold defensively. Along the same line of thought, if the central fullback releases into the middle third the outside fullbacks and the remaining central fullback will hold. As the defenders attack, their attack will vary based on the position of the players in front of them and the position of the ball as well as the actions of the other fullbacks. (See Diagrams 2a, 2b, 2c and 3a, 3b, 3c for examples of various attacks with the fullbacks).
Attacking with one fullback with the midfielders playing inside
Diagrams 2: The ball begins in defensive third and advances into the middle third. The outside midfielders have worked to the inside leaving the flanks exposed for the fullbacks to attack in. |
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It can be seen the central fullback is in possession and both outside midfielders have worked inside to form a diamond midfield, leaving the outside flanks vacant for the outside fullbacks. The central back plays to the outside right midfielder, who is able to find the right fullback pushing forward into the attack. The opponents left midfielder must choose between marking the midfielder or the fullback. If he marks the midfielder, there is a clear alley for the layoff to the fullback. If the midfielder steps to the fullback, the midfielder can turn. Thus the opponent is unbalanced. Finally, the remaining fullbacks push to the center. |
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Continuing with the above sequence, the ball is in possession of the right midfielder and the right fullback is in an advanced position. The opponent’s left midfielder has stepped to the midfielder in possession leaving an easy pass to the right fullback who can attack into the middle and attacking third. The remaining fullbacks are compact in the middle to prevent the counter attack. The left fullback has moved inside and the central fullback has moved slightly more center. Staying compact is key to preventing the counter attack. |
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Attacking from the left side is similar in nature, unbalancing the left side of the field. Adapting the above sequence, the ball is in possession of the right midfielder, but again has worked inside. As the ball is played the holding midfielder works quickly into support where the right midfielder finds him. The right fullback attacks the flank aggressively in anticipation of the thru ball. The holding midfielder understands his fullbacks roles and as he works into support see the run; with a one or two touch ball he is able to exploit the space and unbalance the opposition. Again, the remaining fullbacks push to compact in thecenter. |
Attacking with one fullback with the midfielders playing wide |
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Diagrams 3: The ball begins in the final third and advances to the middle third with the outside midfielders playing in the flanks. The central part of the field is exposed for the fullbacks to attack and unbalance. |
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Adapting the above sequence, the ball is in possession of the right midfielder, but he is wide, near the line this time The outside fullback has now worked inside to support the attack. As the ball is laid off the right fullback is now attacking in the central midfield. The outside fullbacks and the outside midfielder are on a swivel. If one is outside the other works to the inside. This creates the needed angles which allow a dynamic attack. The remaining fullbacks push to compact in the center. The options for the fullback are now plentiful, he can play a long ball to a forward, combine with the midfielders or attack with the dribble. |
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Adapting the above sequence, the ball is in possession of the right midfielder, yet now the central fullback runs the way he plays to support his own pass. In this scenario the central fullback is now releasing and attacking in the midfield. The outside fullback must now realize his attacking options are limited and pinch to the middle. The left fullback does the same to compact the defense. The central fullback now has complete freedom in the attack. The remaining members of his defensive block are holding allowing him to attack with limited defensive responsibilities. |
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The left center full back sees the holding midfielder slide to the right and fills into the attacking space vacated by the holding midfielder. As the ball works forward to the attacking midfielder, he can lay it off to the central fullback, now in the midfield in support. And the attack continues, maybe with a thru ball to the left midfielder down the flank. Again, the remaining fullbacks push to compact in the center. |
As play advances tactically some more advanced teams will also push a second
defender into the attack. The Brazilians, for instance, expect both outside
fullbacks to be involved in the attack at all times. Though this only leaves
two fullbacks on defense, the reality is that a third player is focusing on
defense; the holding midfielder who must recognize that both fullbacks have
released and he must hold the central ground in the back and prevent the counter
attack (sometimes with a professional foul, if needed). When the second fullback
is involved in the attack, the holding midfielder must understand his role
in the unfortunate event of a turnover and prevent the dangerous balls thru
into his final third where only two fullbacks remain. Now it can be seen that
the flat four is a truly dynamic system allowing fullbacks to progress into
the attack from any point on the field, with multiple defenders joining the
attack when needed. (See (Diagrams 4a, 4b for various patters of attack with
two fullbacks)
Attacking with two fullbacks
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The scenario is similar to 2c, then progresses. The ball advances out of the defensive third; the right midfielder combines with the holding midfielder; he connects with the overlapping right fullback. At the same time the left fullback and left midfielder are reading the game. As the ball advances into the middle third, the outside midfielder begins pushing central and forward. This opens up the left flank for the left fullback. As the right fullback receives the left fullback must recognize the attack is on and get moving. The right fullback connects with the attacking midfielder; he then has the ability to reverse the point of attack to the left fullback, now in space as the left midfielder has worked inside and brought the defender with him. |
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The scenario is similar to 3b but progresses. The ball advances out of the defensive third and the right midfielder (in the flank) combines with the holding central fullback in support; he connects with the attacking midfielder. At the same time the left fullback and left midfielder are reading the game. As the ball advances into the middle third, the outside midfielder makes a run down the line taking the opponents outside midfielder with. This opens up the left center for the left fullback to fill. The left fullback is now attacking in the central midfield. If either of the opponent’s midfielders step he can find their previous mark. If neither step he attacks unimpeded, forcing a fullback to step and freeing up space for the forwards. |
This is in contrast to a sweeper/stopper system or a three back system which is more static in nature as a defender vacating to attack leaves the defense vulnerable to the counter attack. In the sweeper/stopper system the stopper is free to push forward into the attack and the systems plays similar to a 3-5-2. It is static due to its limitations, only the central back can release without leaving gaps. By nature the sweeper won’t leave as he is the safety valve and the outside fullbacks cannot release without leaving glaring weaknesses in the flanks.
The three back system allows the team to play another player forward in the midfield or forward roles systems such as the 3-4-3 and the 3-5-2, however with only three backs an attacking fullbacks again leaves a gap somewhere on the field as only two would remain. This is not to say a three back system is inferior to a four back system, it is simply different in that the fullbacks will face challenges in getting forward in the attack as it will leave the defense vulnerable.
The flat four, having four players as defenders lacks the extra attacking player that three back systems use, however it makes up for it in that two of the defenders can release and attack from the defensive third. Thus the flat four has all of the benefits of a three man defensive block (extra attackers) since the defenders will be pushing forward. Yet it does not have the limitations of being static as some of the three man systems are, as the extra attackers may come from anywhere in the back line. Furthermore the defensive block is made up of four defenders so at full strength incorporates an extra defender in their final third, one more than a three back system.
The flat four can be an amazingly complex attacking system when trained properly allowing teams to attack and unbalance the opponent from anywhere on the field. It is truly dynamic in nature in that the attack is flexible and constantly changing.
All scenarios show below are shown attacking to the right but can also take place on the left side of the field. For reading ease these will not be shown. Two different scenarios are shown. The first has the outside midfielders working towards the inside. The second has them staying outside in the flanks. Various attack patterns are show for both scenarios.
Attacking with the multiple fullbacks: Defensive Comments |
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The defensive liability for the fullback block in now quite extensive as only two fullbacks remain as two are approaching the attacking third. The holding midfielder must read the game, and if the counter attack begins, be a third defender. With the two central fullbacks he forms the vertex of the defensive triangle responsible for limiting, slowing down and preventing the counter attack. |
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If the fullback loses the ball in the attacking or middle third the opposite fullback must be aware of his responsibilities and recover to balance. The defensive triangle now separates as the central fullbacks step to pressure and cover. As the right fullback returns to balance the holding midfielders is free to return to defense in the midfield block. See The Art of Training Defense, Training a Team in the Flat Four for more details on defending in blocks and zonal defense |
It can now be seen how dynamic this system is. This system allows fullbacks to attack in the flanks. It provides all four defenders the chance to get forward by combining with the midfielders and it provides a strong defensive base to fall back upon. The flat four allows for each of the four fullbacks to fully engage in attack with minimal defensive liability (if the remaining defenders in the defensive block are capable defenders).
Throughout the course of a game the outside fullbacks will be found in the center of the middle third, or the flanks of the middle third. They will also be found in the attacking third both creating and supporting the attack. Both center backs have the ability to push into the attack and can unbalance the middle of the field. The flat four, by its dynamic nature will allow the attack to be unpredictable and ever changing. Incorporating an attacking fullback into the attacking scheme opens up the attack and unbalances the opponent. With the flat four this can be done in a dynamic and unpredictable manner unbalancing the opponent creating scoring opportunities by the attacking team.
Attacking in the Middle Third
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