Center Back Pitch Control

Center Back's starting position is critical to their team's success when defending. It dictates how the rest of the team defends and how high they can step to press. Center backs who don't understand how to use depth and drop deep when unnecessary cause the following problems for their team:

1. Create extra space between the lines for opponents to exploit

2. Allow the attackers to possess and possibly receive the ball in more advanced positions

3. Force their teammates to do additional work to retreat to deeper positions

4. Prohibit themselves from i)

   1. Engaging opponents between the lines

   2. Cutting off dangerous passing lanes inside.

When deciding whether to step up, hold the line, or drop, Center Backs can use the following thought process to make the optimal decision:

Below are a number of clips that highlight the the importance of depth and the problems that arise when you lose pitch control.

Center back depth - does not initiate pressure/cover or block shot

Center back depth - Cannot engage 1v1 at an advantageous angle, allows dangerous inside passing lane

Center back, and midfield depth communication issue opens enormous space for the opposing #6

Appropriate center back depth constricts space between the lines & allows CB the opportunity to engage attackers.