Manual FIFA - Zonas defensivas

Defensive Zones

The following diagram breaks the pitch down into 5 distinct zones. These zone will help you to better understand what your thought process should be when the ball is in each area of the field. Remember when you lose possession the whole team is on defence and the entire team as a unit must start defending. It is important to keep in mind that you have several layers of defence, not just the backline players.

ZONE 1

In the opposing team’s half of the field, focus on positioning. Start by using your forwards, then the midfielders as your first layers of defence. Light to medium harassment of the opponent here works well, just enough to try and deter their advancement. The amount of pressure you put on your opponent should increase as they approach the midfield line. Once the midfield line is crossed everyone should be accounted for. 

ZONE 2

On your wings above the 18 yard box make sure players running there are covered. The major priority here is to deny them access to ZONE 3 and 5. So keep an eye out for any players on a run into those areas as potential passing targets. Pressing and the Running Jockey work well in Zone 2 and the intensity of your pressure should be elevating. A slide tackle can be used here as a last resort, just be sure your player approaches from the front and touches the ball before the attacker. It is a good idea to make sure you have a support player behind you so you don’t give the attacker clear access to Zone 4 if you miss the slide tackle.

ZONE 3

Often referred to as the hole, this portion of the pitch requires a compact midfield with no holes. The closer the opponent gets to your red zone, ZONE 5, the more compact you should get. A strong possession team can spot holes a mile away and exploit them. Marking should now be tighter and the intensity to win back the ball should be increasing rapidly. Stay on top of the attackers and be physical enough to let them know you are there, but try not to foul. Look to break up passes, try to be first in the air to crosses, and most importantly watch your opponent’s passing lanes carefully (the imaginary line forming possession triangles) and look to break them down. Lastly if you team is caught out of position, jockey and contain to buy time for them to get back.

ZONE 4

This zone is also known as the “passing zone.” Be aware of fast wingers that have great individual ball skill. They will try to break into a gap to launch in a cross or through ball. The best rule of thumb here is to not dive in and allow your opponent to get by. Instead use jockeying and containment to do all you can to force them back into ZONE 2, or better yet ZONE 1. Your wing midfielders should be assisting in the defence of ZONE 4 at all times. Unless you are running 5 defenders then your wing defenders should be providing pressure leaving your center midfielders to stay compact and hold down ZONE 3. Also if you have true wing forwards they to should be involved. Keep a eye for the “big switch” to the opposite side of the field. Make sure that you are covering open players over there to prevent attacks from the opposite side. Stay balanced!

ZONE 5

Also known as the Red Zone for obvious reasons, this is a high alert area for everyone! The number one priority is to force your opponent to either turn the ball over or get them into another less critical zone by cutting off passing lanes and staying tight on the man with the ball. Look for mistakes and exploit them. Things like a poorly touched ball, dribbling too far ahead, a bad first touch and so on are your ideal times to step in to tackle. You are now vulnerable to penalty kicks so try to avoid slide tackles unless that is all you have left. Do NOT commit to tackles unless you are confident in your success. Keep scanning the ZONE for open players, players on runs and defensive gaps and hold down ZONE 5 at all cost.