Rest-defence. You’ve probably heard the term before, possibly in connection to why Pep Guardiola uses inverted full-backs or why so many teams use three centre-backs and two central midfielders to provide balance when in possession. The reason is (often) the same: to stop counter-attacks. Thus, rest-defence refers to how teams prepare for defensive transition while having the ball. This tactical theory analysis piece looks at different rest-defence setups and discusses the concept of counter–marking, in particular.
So far in the 2021 European championships, the likes of Italy, Denmark and Spain have produced impressive performances largely thanks to their ability to counter-press effectively. As such, their rest-defences have been key to their strong showings. Below, I will first look at various different rest-defence setups that are common, illustrate another that might suit some coaches’ tactics, before finally looking at the flexible tactics of Italy’s rest-defence.
Rest-defence setups
Usually, rest-defences are about having numerical advantages behind the ball. Therefore, when you attack, your team might keep three defenders back against two attackers. In the image below, we see an example of a team having a numerical advantage behind the ball. Here, the right-back is in possession (circled) with three defenders and one midfielder positioned behind the ball. If the red team would win the ball and look to transition to their two strikers, the blue team would have a 4 vs 2 advantage.
3-1 structure to deal with two strikers, creating a 4 vs 2 advantage in defensive transition.
This setup is very solid since you have a staggered rest-defence with players both in front, behind and to the sides of the opposition strikers. As such, those two players could potentially be pressed from all directions. This type of staggered setup can be seen in Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea (in a 3-2 structure) or in Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City (either in a 2-3 or a 3-2). Of course, these structures also allow for stable bases for ball-circulation but the focus here is on their strength in dealing with stopping counter-attacks.
Another popular setup is the “+1”. This simply refers to the attacking team keeping one extra player in their first line, highlighted in the image below with the blue team leaving three players behind the ball to deal with two red attackers. If the blue team lose the ball, the numerical advantage should allow them to both press a striker receiving a pass whilst also providing cover behind with the extra player.
The popular “+1” setup, which is slightly more courageous, leaving 3 vs 2 at the back.
Positioning is just one part of a successful rest-defence with the principles the players act according to being more important. The image below highlights how you could potentially instruct your players to act in defensive transition from a “+1” setup. First, let’s look at responsibilities. With the right-back high, the ball-near centre-back could be instructed to step out and be aggressive in the space between centre-back and full-back. As a result, the ball-far full-back and the left-back could be tasked with providing cover behind the pressing centre-back.
In this case, when the right-back misplaces the pass and the ball is immediately played into the dropping striker, the ball-near centre-back would step out to press aggressively in the highlighted space. The target is clear: stop the counter-attack as quickly as possible before it gains any speed. The other two defenders behind the ball drop in behind the pressing centre-back to provide cover should the ball be played into depth.
How to act from a +1 setup. Ball-near CB stepping out to stop the counter-attack at the source.
Personally, I think defenders being aggressive to stop counter-attacks early is the best way to defend against them. It is so much easier to stop a forward facing their own goal than one running at your defence at speed. Acting in this way would be one method to do this.
Too often, I see situations like the one highlighted below, both at professional and at grassroots level. The defenders feel restricted by the halfway line and are essentially pinned by it. As a result, a striker dropping off is granted time and space to turn, which can lead to an even more dangerous counter-attack since it is allowed time and space to develop.
A recurrent issue: staying with CBs at halfway line, granting space for the attacker to receive and turn.
Oftentimes, defenders react only when the striker has received the ball and then it’s too late. If a defender steps up as highlighted below, they are neither proactive in stopping the counter nor drop off to deny space to run into. Rather, they are caught somewhere in between. Attackers can join with dynamic runs from behind the ball and then the counter-attack is on. Since 99% of footballers run quicker towards the opposition’s goal than their own, the dynamic is with the attacking team.
One CB reacts and steps out, but it’s too late and the attackers are already running at the defenders at pace.
A simple method to stop situations like the one above from developing is to adjust the height of the rest-defence. There is often no need to keep your defenders at the halfway line; sure, the opponent can’t be offside in their own half but very few teams have strikers standing at the halfway line waiting for the ball when they are out of possession. If they do, then fine, keep your rest-defence there. However, if they don’t, move your line higher. In possession, this allows for quicker ball-circulation as the distances are shorter and thus improves connectivity. Out of possession, the playing area is compressed and counter-pressing is made easier with shorter distances. Crucially, a striker receiving the ball, as seen below, can be pressed aggressively a lot quicker than if the rest-defence remained on the halfway line.
Adjusting the height of the rest-defence removes that risk and allows for effective counter-pressing.
Counter-marking – an aggressive alternative
If you prefer man-orientated defending, then the rest-defence strategy I call counter-marking might be something for you. Teams that make use of counter-marking orientate their rest-defence according to where their opponents are. As such, they prepare for defensive transitions by marking opponents. Of course, they aren’t standing next to their opponent when in possession, but they are positioned in a way so that they have access to an opponent as soon as possession is lost.
Counter-marking is an extremely aggressive alternative to the rest-defence strategies highlighted above as counter-marking looks to immediately deny space for attackers to turn. Also, tight marking might even prevent passes being played as opponents might opt against passing the ball to the marked players. As a result, chaotic and low-quality counter-attacks are produced. There are obviously risks with this setup as the protection of an extra defender is removed and you could be susceptible to clever combinations and well-timed runs by fast attackers. However, if you have fast, aggressive and clever defenders who read the game well, counter-marking might be the strategy for your team.
Teams that counter-mark prepare for defensive transition by orientating themselves towards opponents. When the ball is lost, each player has an opponent to deal with. This is highlighted here with the three defenders counter-marking the red attackers while the blue midfielders are orientated towards the two red midfielders.
Case study – the Italian way
In their impressive group stage showings at Euro 2020, Italy showcased an ability to combine the positional elements of some rest-defence setups with counter-marking elements. From their fluid 3-2-5 attacking structure, Italy’s wider centre-backs had freedom to push high, as far just outside the opponent’s penalty area when in possession. Regularly, when on the ball-near side, Giorgio Chiellini would appear with the ball just outside Turkey or Switzerland’s penalty area when Italy attacked. As a result, he was well-positioned to counter-press when Italy lost the ball.
Normally, Italy used the setup highlighted below in both games. When Italy had possession on the ball-near side, Chiellini would be in a position to counter-mark Turkey’s right-winger. As such, when Turkey won the ball on that side, Chiellini would counter-press aggressively against the winger who were facing his own goal. Behind Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Giovanni Di Lorenzo were in split positions where they could both provide cover behind Chiellini’s pressure and also step up towards Turkey’s other attackers. The staggered nature of Italy’s structure also allowed Manuel Locatelli and Jorginho to join the counter-press as well as block passes to the feet of the striker Burak Yilmaz, in particular, with their cover shadows.
Chiellini counter-marking his nearest opponent while Bonucci and Di Lorenzo are available to provide cover as well as press direct opponents.
The connectivity of Italy’s attacking structure also meant that the players immediately around the ball but not engaged in the initial pressure from Chiellini, such as Locatelli, Lorenzo Insigne and Leonardo Spinazzola in the example below, could overload around the ball-carrier to continue counter-pressing aggressively. This extremely organised and effective counter-pressing was key in Italy dominating all three group games without conceding a single goal and recording among the very best expected goals against (1.36) in the tournament so far.
Chiellini denies his opponent the chance to turn and Spinazzola, Locatelli and Insigne counter-press aggressively to overload the ball-carrier.
Conclusion
Rest-defence is undoubtedly a crucial component for all football teams, regardless of the level they play at. A well-structured rest-defence can aid counter-pressing situations, improve a team’s ability to stop counter-attacks immediately and also help provide a base for better ball-circulation when attacking connectivity is improved by shorter distances to pass the ball and maintain possession. As such, rest-defences serve vital functions both in build-up play and in defensive transition. Whether you prefer staggered rest-defence structures, “+1” setups or counter-marking, a well-functioning rest-defence could be key for the success of your team.
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