Defensive block

A defensive block is a team’s organized shape without the ball. The relationships between lines, and between players in the same line, explain it better than the starting formation alone.

Reading the diagram

The white players form two close lines. When one steps out to press, follow how the others cover the space behind.

This original FootballCap diagram does not depict a real match. Green and white markers distinguish the teams. Solid lines show movement; dashed lines show passes where present. Positions are not drawn to real-world distance scale.

Common misconceptions

A crowded line is not necessarily a compact block. A camera angle that lacks a wide view can also distort your reading of the distances between lines.

Try it yourself

Move one player forward while leaving everyone else still, then try shifting the entire line to support them. Compare the spaces exposed in each case.

Keep observations separate from explanations. Test tactical ideas on the tactics board. For metrics, establish the definition and data source before calculating.

Related terms

• Low block
• Mid-block
• High press