Firstly, understand what a Block is :

A block simply describes the moments when a team sets up an organized, tight and compact unit across the pitch.

Depending on the type of block, the higher players in a block, may not actually be interested in winning the ball. All they want to do is force the opposition to play in a predictable way and a make predicable pressable pass.

 

When to form a Block :

A team needs to form and use a block when,

1. You first lose possession : There should be a crunch and contract process occurring.
2. You want to slow the opposition's play down, and then set up a trap give (them predictable options that can be pressed).
3. A 'trap or a full squeeze' has failed and the process repeats. (Trap. Drop. Block).

Note : A 'Trap : Drop : Block' (looked at later) means the 'trap' has failed and it is now really important to recover as quickly as possible, by getting behind the ball as quickly as possible, and by forming another barrier behind (lower than ) the ball (forming a new bloke (lower than the previous block), and making it almost impossible for the opposition to play forward, and if they do, then they are playing into a congested space, and to your advantage.

 

There are a few different types of ​​​​Block :

On this page we start by looking at the a :

 

 

 

 

Please watch the original video here : https://youtu.be/-alGU7tOk8s : And watch other related videos on this youtube channel.

 

 

 

 

The 'Mid' in this term, means the block is set up roughly at the half way line.

A higher block would become a 'high block or a high press' and lower position might become a 'low block'.

Regardless of the type of block, the block needs to be compact, so that there is minimal space between the horizontal lines, otherwise it may become to easy for the opposition to play through the lines.

The 'flat' in this term means their is no forward press. The wingers , 9 and 10 do not put pressure on the CBs and are happy for the CBs to go long (boot the ball forward), to play into the midfield spaces or run with the ball towards the midfield space / towards the block. [This would work if the Opposition CBs are poor on the ball, and so letting them have all this freedom to stuff up is ok. But note if the opposition CBs can play then they might cause problems if they are allowed to move forward on the ball, and look for a 2v1 opportunity in the midfield space or hit quality long forward balls].

 

 

A high flat block is very similar except it sits on the edge of the box (rather than in middle of the pitch), and gives the GK and CBs the option to bang the ball over the top. The trap is on the pass into the block zone, preferably into the 6 space. If the opposition break the block, then drop and block until all players are back behind the ball again.

Some individual defending might be needed to be done well, to slow the attack down. [Remember DDDDBW].

 

Whenever the ball enters the 'Midfield space' there is an aggressive press from the nearest players. This is the trap. We want the CBs to play into midfield, and when they do, we should be in a position to put immediate pressure on this pass and the first touch of the receiver.

Effort Required :

This type of block doesn't required a huge amount of effort from any one player. It is a good way to conserve energy if this is required or to buy a little bit of time before switching to a more aggressive block.

If the trap in any block fails :

As always if the trap fails then : Drop and Block (except now the block will most likely be a low block).

 

If the CBs are good, and we do not want to give them an opportunity to 'play' forward, then a 9-10 block (mid) would be a better option. The 9-10 block is covered on the next page.

If one CB or both CBs are poor then a flat mid block that gives the poor CB the ball may be a good tactic when they have the ball. Give poor players a pass that can be easily pressed. Set a trap.

Task :

Watch a full game at the highest level :

Identify 3 times where you can see a clear 'Mid Block'.  [That is : The defending team is set up in a similar way to the red team in the picture above].

• Think about why and how the team got into a mid block?
• How long did this process take?
• How did the block change whilst the opposition were in possession and moving the ball?
• What happened if the 'blocking' team won the ball?
• What forced the blocking team to change to a different block?
• Did the blocking team make any mistakes or could they have done things differently?
• Was there a clear trap set? Did the trap work?