Game structure / points to consider by Neil Shearer (RCD Rockhampton & Gladstone) 2011

I had recently raised this point with Barry Vohland (Coach Manager Hockey Queensland) regarding the lack of structure by club teams in defence, particularly at junior level. This article explains the deficiencies of playing with 2 fullbacks in a marker, sweeper role.

A growing trend in many areas around the state is the style of play the fullbacks are defending in.
Majority of coaches are playing a high fullback and a sweeper (deep sweeper 20 / 30 metres off the ball).
Also some players are off the page when it comes to their team mates and linking up into attack, not knowing where to go or the type of pass that is on – i.e. no structure.

The sweeper is only defending the middle of the field. The high fullback is man to man marking the opposition centre forward.
Consequently, open space is there for the taking by the attacking team.

Once the midfield is beaten, there is open space for easy entry by the attackers into the circle because of the positioning of the deep fullback.

How and who could prevent this?

Teams may play a deeper centre half, who swings in defence in cover behind their mid fielders.
If you decide to play an attacking centre half because you know the opposition has weaker mid fielders / fullbacks and your teams strength lies in your mid field / fullbacks,
Try playing left and right sided fullbacks to prevent the wide open spaces or learn to sweep closer to your mid fielders.

What happens if?

1. The opposition inside right eliminates your left inside.
The left fullback will now cover this area by tackling the opposition player of holding the player up so your team mates can recover in defence.
That means no free entry into the circle. The same would apply on the opposite side.

2. The ball is on your right side then the right fullback is up and the left fullback swings in behind to cover the right back. Your left half swings in.
The ball is transferred to your left side then the left back moves up to cover the midfield and the right back swings in to cover the left back and marks the opposition centre forward or cuts the line onto the ball.
Right half swings in.
If the centre forward moves towards the left back, the right back should call and direct the left back to where the high forward is now positioned and readjust their own position.

3. The 2 fullbacks must communicate with each other to help cover the opposition centre forward. Defend in this method – tight structure.
If you are playing with your defenders 20 - 30 metres off the ball ask yourself is the player involved in the game, are they being developed and having fun?
By playing with structure all players should be more involved in the game and reduce cheap run away goals.

Your training sessions can be used to introduce this variation by playing small games that encourage ball movement and having your defenders adjust to the transfer. They must communicate with each other and understand that they have a role to play every time the ball is turned over.

The major cause of problems in defence comes from ball watching and not switching on quickly enough to readjust and cover lines. By playing with structure you have a better chance to have everybody on the same page when linking up into attack and defence. I.e. mid fielders move in and strikers lead out, half backs moves up field and mid fielders lead back to the ball.

This should also ensure you don’t have big spaces between lines, especially in deep defence.