Space Artists

The idea for this piece came from a discussion between Yiannis Tsala and myself where he provoked some thoughts and provided me with his concepts of space artists which will heavily influence the analysis and theory in this article. Though this piece is a stand-alone it is also a follow up to the previous two pieces: Restattacke which can be read here and Tactical Adaptions which can be read here.

What Are You Doing When You Don’t Have the Ball?

In the game of football everyone is an artist of space in some way. Just like in art however you have varying techniques, methods, mediums, as well as various skill levels. Some dabble in several mediums, and some are maestros at one. This is no different than in football. Some players prefer to play on the left some on the right. Some prefer to play higher up, some deeper. Some can play in tighter spaces, some like to play with their backs to goal, others prefer to have the game in front of them. Some go in behind, some drift wide, some drop deep. It’s about understanding how and when to utilize the spaces available in certain positions and situations.

The varying spaces that can be occupied in relation to the opponent all have their advantages and (maybe) disadvantages of receiving for each position. What’s most important is understanding the effect the position is going to have on the opponent and utilizing the positioning in the proper moment for it to have its proper effect on antagonizing the defense to manipulate and exploit them. One positioning isn’t better than the other per se when used in the proper context of the situation at hand to best exploit/manipulate the opponent. It’s key for the players to understand in each position on the field which spaces they would be looking to play in the most in relation to the opponent which will vary depending on the behavior of the opponent and the situation. It’s important to understand as well why we would want to play in the different positions/spaces in relation to the opponent and what these positioning do for the collective and the team structure.

· Playing off the shoulder: allows for ball reception past pressure/balls between lines. Can also draw out defenders positioned deeper/invite pressure which opens space and gaps higher up the field/in behind. Also used to force direct opponent to drop deeper or freeze him momentarily creating time and space for the player on the ball

· In line: allows for the player receiving to take their first touch into space in behind their nearest opponent. This positioning can also draw the opponent out which can open a gap to play through.

· In front: positioning or receiving here looks to draw out the opponent from their position opening space in behind them.

· In a window: creates a decisional dilemma for the two players, if either moves towards the player in between then it opens up space/channels into other players (winger, center forward etc.).

· In the covershadow: keeps out of opponent’s eyesight and gives flexibility to pop out on either shoulder of the opponent depending on the situation and space.

· Pinning: holds back the opponent which can be done on the individual and collective level.

· Pocket/behind window: when being pressed can then look to exploit key spaces depending on which player presses. Options for receiving in a pocket: turn in diagonally, break the line in behind, move out wide (opposite movements with another player moving in),

· Working a triangle: usually a deeper positioned player i.e., a #6 playing as alongside support and underneath looking for the second pass as opposed to being the initial support option (3rd man).

Bayern Munich vs Leverkusen Tactical Analysis

In the game against Leverkusen there were small details in Bayern’s positioning and movement that led to break downs in possession and in attacks which, with better awareness of positioning and orientation, could be fixed. In this match Bayern played a 4–2–3–1 against the ball which became an interesting 3–1–3–3 or an asymmetrical 3–1–4–2 depending on the positioning of the left fullback and how high he was positioned. The right attacking mid would move high and wide when in possession to play like a winger or wide forward in the last line to stretch the Leverkusen defense. The second holding midfielder would then play more advanced in the right half space playing as the right attacking mid though through some positional rotations players popped up in different areas of the field at times.

Here we have the second holding mid for Bayern dropping into a pocket looking to support. The movement from the #6 of Bayern to drop closer to the ball drags his opponent with him giving just that little extra space for the Bayern midfielder to receive. The two attacking players higher up are both playing off the should of the Leverkusen midfielder forcing him into deciding who to mark and whether or not to step to the ball. With the two options and focus of play in the center this opens lots of spaces on the wings. With a pass on either side of the Leverkusen midfielder open the orientation of the receivers should be to play out to the space on the wings as quickly as possible with a third man combination to exploit the space and drag out the Leverkusen defenders from the backline. Instead, however Bayern combines with three passes in the middle before finally playing the ball out to the fullback on the right. This was too slow and allowed time for Leverkusen to recover and get organized defensively.

With the left fullback playing high and wide the left attacking mid at times looked to fill the vacated space from the fullback, either playing off the shoulder of the forward or looking to drop in front of the midfield to draw out pressure and open space between the lines. The center forward and the holding mids diagonal movement over to the left helps open the middle which enables the left attacking mid to dribble inside. Continuing in the second picture above, as the attacking mid cuts inside with the ball the center attacking mid in the opposite half space looks to receive but should move just slightly deeper with his movement to better dismark from his direct opponent and be able to receive facing forward. Instead, the midfielder is too close to his marker and the defender is able to step in.

At times in the buildup Bayern could have used a bit more patience however instead of recycling play or looking to switch fields when unable to create an attack they would often look to launch the ball direct and hope to force something or win second balls. Here the center back looks to play direct over the top to the wide attacker. However, with the winger running in behind dragging his opponent and the holding mid playing in a pocket pinning the defender ahead of him forcing him to tuck inside. This opens space for the Bayern fullback (highlighted) playing in line with the Leverkusen forward. This would allow him to take a touch forward past his nearest defender into the open space. The center attacking mid in the middle could then make a run in behind with the fullback facing forward and plenty of space with Leverkusen’s backline at uneven heights.

Here with the center back in possession on the right side of the field. The left attacking mid should look to move a few yards into the pocket with space in front to receive a diagonal pass into the center of the field. Or this movement could have the effect of attracting the nearest opponent towards the center of the field which opens up more space for Bayern to circulate the ball along the backline to play to the opposite side.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs West Ham United Tactical Analysis

The recognition of space and positioning is key to be successful in possession. Here we are going to look at a few moments where the Wolves players could have done better in recognizing open space to advance play quicker.

Here as the midfielder receives the layoff from the forward dropping into the pocket his poor orientation and lack of scanning in the center of the field doesn’t allow for as quick of a progression to exploit the space in the middle or on the opposite side and the midfielder instead plays a negative pass on the ball side which for many defenses can be a trigger to step up and close space.

Despite the above Wolves still do well to progress on the opposite side shortly after. The left forward moves out from the center to the left half space to play in a big pocket of space. His orientation to receive on the half turn allowed from the diagonal pass enables him to progress forward quickly on the dribble. As the ball is switched from the left half space to the right half space the positioning of the Wolves wingback and the Wolves center forward pins the backline. The issue arises in the movement of the center forward and the decision making of the ball carrier. As the right forward receives in the half space on the right-hand side the Wolves wingback positioned in line with his counterpart would be able to take his first touch into the space to get behind the opponent if he were to receive. The center forward could make a run in behind from the pocket between the middle and left center backs for West Ham. In the end neither happened and the Wolves forward dribbles into two defenders.

In these two pictures notice the lack of recognition of the space in the center as the forward receives in the middle. A simple scan would show that he could turn into space with a teammate positioned in space himself. This would prompt the opposition midfielder to step out opening more space for the midfielder in the right half space or more direct options depending on the midfielder’s behavior and decision making.

Here the center mid drops in front of the forwards to receive. This can have benefits in opening space in the center and drawing out an opposition player but it can also have a negative effect of having too many players behind the ball and not enough progressive options or players pinning opposition players back. Here the space out wide is key and should be occupied by either the right center back pushing forward which would allow for the right forward to push higher. This would then open more space in the pocket for the midfielder in the center of the field to move into. Or the right forward in his position should move a bit wider into that space which would either drag his direct opponent out opening a pass between lines or a diagonal pass out wide could be threaded with the center mids timed movement into the right half space for a third man combination.

Here Wolves look to play out from the back with the opposition pressing high. The wingback receives under pressure in tight space on the touch line. Wolves could have played out of this pressure with better recognition of the space and timing of the movement from the Wolves midfielder in the center to move just a few yards into the space in front of him to support the wingback under pressure.

Tactics Board: Manchester City Example

One of if not the best teams in the world at space artistry: pinning opponents, playing in pockets, off the shoulders, and timing their movements to manipulate the opponent and exploit space is Manchester City under Pep Guardiola. A constant theme Manchester City did tactically against their rivals Manchester United was using their center forward as a false nine to drop into pockets in the center and help to overload the opponent’s midfielders while the two wide forwards would stay high pinning United’s backline. City’s false nine allowed them to overload the wings and create 2v1’s out wide. The 8’s would play in slightly wider positions which would allow the space for the center forward to drop into the midfield. When the center forward drops, the opposition gets attracted to him and closes the space in the middle opening the space out wide for the fullback/wide forward who can then combine with the ball near #8. Or if the opponent doesn’t orientate towards the center forward that leaves him free to receive in the middle.

Here in the buildup to City’s first goal against United the center forward drops down on the inside of the opponent center mid to play off his shoulder. This causes the opponent center mid to orientate to the City false nine while the City left #8 drops to play off the opponent center mids opposite shoulder. This movement from the #8 draws the opponent winger inside opening space for the fullback to receive out wide.

Once the ball gets played out to the City full back this draws out the winger to press freeing the left #8 of City with the center mid for United orientated to City’s false 9. The positioning as well of the full back to be inline with his nearest opponent creates a better passing angle for a diagonal pass to the left #8.

With the false nine’s vertical run back into the last line this pins the opponent center back to stay in his position in the center further helping the creation of the 2v1 for City out wide against the fullback.

Here again the center forward drops into the midfield to receive inside a pocket with the near side #8 pinning the opponent’s holding midfielder and the Manchester City near side fullback playing off the holding midfielder’s shoulder. The wide forward on the ball side playing in line with the opponent fullback pins him deep while the center back follows the center forwards movement momentarily creating a hole in the center of United’s backline.

This is a moment City didn’t fully take advantage of. Once the ball gets played out to City’s fullback, he has huge amounts of space in front of him with the wide forward pinning the opponent fullback and a 2v1 is created if the space is attacked dynamically. As well, with the mispositioning of the two center backs who were dragged out of position, this opens up space for vertical and diagonal runs from the #10 and the wide forward on the opposite side to exploit the space in behind.

Hypothetical Cup Final: Bayern Munich vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

A big function for Manchester City above was the use of a false nine. We don’t have to play with a false nine per se, but we should ask ourselves how do we want to function to the opponent(s) positioning to overload and manipulate them? How will we pin back the opponent? How will we create space? For these actions to be effective it’s important that we focus on the timing of our movement and what the effect our movement has for our teammate and the opponent. Some players pop in front of the opponent looking to support/receive and it kills the space available to play in. At times patience is needed and we need to think about the effect of our positioning to influence the opponent to pin them back or forcing them into making a decision in staying or pressing by keeping distance from the ball carrier. Also keeping this space/distance to receive allows us to better lay off to a third man or if the defender steps up in front, then we can now play off the shoulder/in a pocket, higher up with more space.

Looking to utilize these positionings in front, in line, in pockets, pinning etc. it’s important that we understand their use in relation to the pressing structure of the opponent as well as in relation to our teammates with coordinated movements to create space and provide constant support/outlets. Example: playing in pocket while another player plays alongside his direct opponent setting up a third man combination. Given the situation players should look to play off the shoulder to force their direct opponent to drop deeper or look to play in front to draw the opponent out. Instructions may be needed for how you want x player to position against his opponent most consistently (i.e. off the shoulder) but still every game is going to have moments and situations that call for flexibility and improvisation into different positioning and spaces to look to manipulate the opponent or react to the opponents movement/behavior and players need to be able to read and analyze the game situations and be able to adapt their positioning accordingly. Through the use of these positionings and movements in relation to the opponent we can give more details to players roles, positioning, and movements depending on their position in our structure in relation to the opponents structure and further depending on the area of the field, the situation, and/or the behavior of the opponent (individually and collectively). So, we must think: what positioning do we want in relation to the defender and the space we are in? what does this positioning do for us or our teammate (another teammate in support or the ball carrier)? Pin a defender? Create space? Force decisions? All this will change depending on the situation, the position of the player, the space on the field, the positing of the opposition, their formation, their pressing style and a big one: the player’s profile. Not all players are comfortable receiving in certain situations or spaces and will position themselves accordingly.

For an example: How many midfielders do we need today and what is their function in relation to achieving the objective? If a team were playing against a 4–3–3 and trying to overload the midfield with a 4-diamond-2, the base positioning of the two #8’s would be looking to play on the shoulder/in line of their direct opponent. The #10 would then look to be pinning his direct opponent, playing in line against the opponent #6 or in the shadow as their base positioning in relation to their direct opponent. From here depending on the situation/scenario/positioning of other opposition players/the space/and area of the field we would either look to position in a window, in a pocket, or work a triangle. Switching from off the shoulder to in front to off the shoulder dependent on the situation and who receives looking to manipulate our direct opponent to get in behind, force decisions on the opponent, and stretch positional pairings to open gaps. The movement from off the shoulder to in front, back to off the shoulder brings this player back to his base positioning and can cause an uncertainty in the opposition’s behavior. This player playing off the shoulder has the flexibility as well to make runs in behind given the situation to help provide outlets and create space. Same for a player playing in a pocket before coming into a window to affect the opponent then the recognition of the moment to reset his positioning back into the pocket to offer a third man option or threaten space in behind.

It’s also important to recognize and understand how you are being marked by the opposition and how to handle the situation. When zonally marked, we can look to position in pockets and off the shoulder to best manipulate our opponent. When man marked, we can use our movement to manipulate our direct opponent and look to move away from the ball to create space. If unable to receive an immediate pass in either situation, then we should think about how we can receive the next pass (third man). How many ways can we play through (a window)? How many ways can we play around (a window)? How many ways can we live in the pocket, and when receiving can we turn inside? How does dropping diagonally low affect the direct opponent? Awareness to what’s happening in a game: what problem are you really facing and how do you solve it?

How can we apply these concepts out of possession when setting up our restattacke? When thinking of setting up our restattacke it’s important to firstly think about how we are going to press. How we press is going to in a way be influenced on how Bayern behaves in attack with their patterns and movement. If Bayern come out and play with heavy positional rotations and lots of interchanging of spaces, then we will look to play in a more passive zonal press in a 5–2–3. If Bayern looks to play with more superiorities in the midfield with attackers playing off the shoulders of their direct opponent, then to neutralize or counteract this we will look to play in a 5–3–2 that becomes an aggressive 4–4–2/4–3–3 press with one of the forwards dropping into the midfield to cover and one of the wingbacks stepping out. While pressing its then the actions and positionings of the two forwards and the orientation of the midfielders looking to either play into or support the forwards with their movement. With the different profiles of the forwards predominately we want the left forward drifting into the half spaces and wide areas looking to be an outlet to progress the ball after winning possession. This player should be looking to play in pockets and off the shoulder of the in-possession opposition players to exploit and manipulate the opponents rest defense. The center forward should look to play in the covershadow of the opposition #6 as often as possible or as close to it as possible to stay out of this players vision and be able to pop up in spaces that open undetected.

Wolverhampton Wanders: 5–3–2/5–2–3/4–4–2 pressing into a 3–4–2–1 attack vs Bayern Munich’s: 4–2–3–1 pressing to a 3–1–3–3/3–1–4–2 attack.

Wolves pressing in a 5–3–2 with the ball side wingbacks ready to step out aggressively to close down the ball receiver wide. This creates a 2v1 against the ball with the ball side center mids ability to join the press and the rest of the backline shifts over to compensate. The left forward is positioned in line with the opposition #6 and looks to roam in the available space to be a direct outlet with the center forward playing in the covershadow undetected against the #6 as he looks to drop in on the left side of the #6 or run in behind off his right shoulder. These positions taken prepares Wolverhampton’s counterattack. If Bayern’s #6 moves closer towards the left forward, that will either free Wolves center forward to drop centrally and be the outlet or the right midfielder can move forward into the space.

After winning possession this triggers the movement of the Wolves attackers to progress the ball forward and exploit the spaces in between the back three and on either side of the Bayern #6.

In possession Wolves wingbacks push forward to play in line with the Bayern wingers while the two center mids position in the gaps on either side of the Bayern central attacking mid. This creates a 4v3 against Bayern’s attacking midfielders. The advanced right midfielder and the left forward on either side of the double pivots. The left forward looking to play either off the shoulder or in a pocket with the right advanced midfielder looking to play in a pocket and threaten space vertically. The center forward continues to play in the covershadow to pop up on either side or look to run in behind. With the movement of the left forward playing off the shoulder, if the Bayern holding midfielder gets attracted to this positioning it can open up the gap to play into the center forward. Dropping into the pocket with both central midfielders in windows allows for third man combinations while the positioning of the advanced midfielder allows for further progress after the third man or potential to be the third man himself with the left forward receiving and turning inside.

Training

Four Square 8v8+1

This game is an expansion on the 4v4+1 in four square zones that is commonly done. As well, I’m sure, this game has been done before. Here we have an 8v8+1 going to goals with keepers. Inside each of the four squares there is two players from each team making a 2v2. The players are confined to staying inside of their square with the exception being the neutral player (yellow dot) who can join any square to help overload the area. Once in possession the players are looking to complete 5 passes before being able to attack the goal. Play is free once the ball gets played into the attacking zone.

Coaching points: this session design creates lots of moments for players to look to pin players back and create space by playing in line and off the shoulder of opponents. The players off the ball movement influences what the player on the ball can do by either providing an option for the ball possessor to pass to or manipulating our direct opponent to open space/passing lanes for other players. Example: a marked fullback moving in front of his direct opponent to support a center back on the ball. Without this movement the defender can continue to mark the fullback while either blocking a passing lane to a player higher up or can press the ball possessing center back while blocking a pass into the fullback with his covershadow. If the fullback however drops in front to provide an option alongside, this forces our marker to make the decision of pressing the center back and leaving the fullback open to receive or following/blocking pass into fullback while pressing the center back opening a passing lane further up the field.

Second, the use of the neutral player (yellow) looking to overload zones by playing off the shoulder of defenders and looking to receive in pockets. If man marked or pressed, then this opens up a free player elsewhere. This free player should then be aware of the space needed to move into to receive and progress play. If no one presses the ball carrier and players are heavily man marked then these players should look to use double movements against their direct opponent i.e., moving off the shoulder to in front, and opposite movements in relation to their nearest teammate to utilize space.

Players in the three zones without the ball should focus on opening space with their positioning by moving away from the ball/neutral player and prepare for the next pass, timing their movement when needed to support. It’s important that we are aware of our positioning in relation to the neutral player as well as the players in the different zones. With our positioning we want to make sure that we aren’t blocking off passes to players higher up the field. This allows for a better overall structure in our team’s shape and a better and quicker flow of possession.

Once five passes have been completed players should look to make vertical runs to get in behind and penetrative dribbles to attack the space outside of the main playing area. Players positioned deeper should look to step up to maintain good structure and connection with the players ahead of them and prepare the rest defense for a ball loss.

If possession is won by the opposition in their defensive zone, you could implement one of two rules depending on the style of play and attack you want. If wanting to play a counterattacking style, then the rule can be once possession is won in the defensive zone play is free and the team in possession can attack their goal immediately. If wanting a slower buildup, then once possession is won in the defensive zone the team now in possession should look to sustain pressure and look to get positioned back in their respective zones to complete 5 passes before being able to attack.

Observing the graphic above and based off what was discussed, if either of the center backs (two blue dots at the bottom of the graphic) were in possession of the ball what do you see from the current positioning of the blue dots along with the yellow dot? What options are there? What space is being created? What positioning or movement needs to happen to open up space or new options?

A progression from this to focus on/force diagonal play and elicit counterpressing is to diagonally cut out the playing field to create an hourglass shape. How does this change the players behavior? Firstly, progressive passes from wide areas have to be played diagonally (can play vertically through the center). Near the ball we have to look to position diagonally in support. Players in the higher up zones need to position in support diagonally in preparation for the next pass. Orientation when receiving to progress play and scanning is key.

Fullbacks in possession can look to invert while the ball is on the far side to help prepare them for a ball loss and prevent the opponent’s transition. Once ball starts traveling to be switched then the fullback should look to move out to open. While the fullback is opening, they should make sure they are scanning forward and making sure to orientate themselves towards the space/open teammates. On the opposite end of the spectrum in relation to ball travel time, players should look to press using the ball travels time as a trigger to start pressing as opposed to waiting for the player to receive.

The positioning of the ball side fullback to invert helps to prepare the rest defense to counterpress but we can also incentivize counterpressing by allowing an immediate attack/counterattack without restrictions if successfully able to win the ball through counterpressing i.e., winning the ball within six seconds of losing it.

How can we now create a habit of diagonal deep flat passes? To incentivize this we can add a rule that a successful third man combination from passes from zones diagonal to one another followed by a layoff counts as a point and can also look to attack goal without needing to get the amount of passes required.

Want to say thanks to Yiannis Tsala for the discussion to start this piece and the continued discussions and ideas throughout the writing process.

Follow him on twitter @YiannisTsala

Also follow @KentonWinstead

KW

Written March 2022