A 9-10 MId Block is similar to the Flat mid Block. It is set up in the middle of the pitch and hen the ball is played forward into the midfield space there is an aggressive press (this is the trap). The defensive line and goal keeper are also very switched on to the ball over the top.

 

The difference with a 9-10 press :

The difference with a 9-10 mid block (compared to a flat block) is the :

• Objective of the block.
  • In a flat mid block then the CB is allowed the option to play forward, in the 9-10 block, this option is taken away.
• Work the 9 & 10 have to do.
  • The 9 & 10 have to work hard to limit the oponents CBs.

 

 

 

 

 

Starts with an opposition center back (OCB) receiving the ball, and while the ball is rolling,  the 9 moves to a higher position that stops the OCB  from playing forward (in any way). The 9 cannot get beat in a 1v1 moment.

Force sideways and backwards play

The 9 must make the OCB play sideways to the other OCB. While the 9 is occupying the OCB, the 10 is in the oppositions '6' space and stopping the OCB playing to into this space.

9 and 10 switch roles constantly

When the opposition CB passes to the other OCB, the 9 and 10 switch roles. [This switch needs to occur quickly, while the ball is rolling, so the OCB now on the ball doesn't have any easy forward options.]

9 & 10 work really hard.

The 9 & 10 need to work hard to make this work. Maybe the wingers [or 6/8] can swap roles to share the work if necessary.

Game Management

If you are winning the game and trying to hold the game out, this maybe a good block to use, especially against a good team.

It is not unbreakable

It is not an unbreakable block. Clever positioning and movement form OCB's and O6 can break this block.

If it fails

As always if the block / trap breaks down the Drop & Block to a lower position.

 

 

 

The video below is a very general (but good) 'defending' video and looks at all aspects of defending.

In the video there are few different types of 'blocks' . 

The examples you need to find are when players pressed an 'opposition pass and player' whenever the ball was played into the ' mid block zone' .

This was done to prevent any type of forward pass, in the same way the 9-10 mid block works

Athletico can be seen to set up a 1-5-4 mid block which switches to other shapes (1-2-4-3 for example) when the moment requires. This differs from a 9/10 block ( in a 4-3-3 set up). Perhaps they set up like this because the opposition played with 3 at the back, and having that 1 higher player, forced the opposition CBs to always play diagonally backwarks, and so in turn slowed the ball transfer from one side of the pitch to the other, making it easier for Athletico to cover the full width of the pitch.

The 1-5-4 mid block is looked at later, but can be seen in this video.

 

 

 

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