57: Grow Coach Newsletter
Football Coaches: Develop your Coaching Craft.
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Coaching Craft: Fixing or Splitting Opponents: Creating Superiorities When Playing Out from the Back.
Full 60-Minute Practice: 3 x practices to work on fixing or splitting opponents
“Football is about creating imbalances. The ball carrier must make decisions to unsettle the opposition, forcing them into mistakes and creating new possibilities.” - Marcelo Bielsa
Fix or Split? The Tactical Edge Every Player Needs to Know
In modern football, playing out from the back is more than just moving the ball forward; it’s about manipulating the opponent’s defensive structure to create superiorities and progress the game effectively.
A key aspect of this lies in the concepts of fixing and splitting opponents. Both techniques are designed to unbalance the opposition and unlock opportunities to break their lines. Here’s a breakdown of how players can execute these concepts to achieve success:
Fixing Opponents: Attract and Release
Fixing an opponent involves the ball carrier drawing pressure from a defender to create space for a teammate. This is particularly useful when the opponent is not pressing aggressively, and passing lanes are limited.
How to Fix an Opponent:
Identify the Target Defender: The ball carrier must recognize which opponent is marking the teammate they want to free up.
Drive Towards the Defender: With the ball at their feet, the player should move deliberately in the direction of the target defender.
Trigger the Reaction: As the defender moves to close down the ball carrier, they will naturally shift their focus away from the teammate they were marking.
Release the Pass: Once the defender commits, the ball carrier should quickly pass to the now-unmarked teammate.
Key Points for Success:
Body Positioning: Keep the ball protected to delay the defender’s ability to tackle.
Timing: Wait until the defender fully commits before releasing the ball.
Awareness: The ball carrier must scan constantly to ensure the pass is made into a secure area.
Example Scenario:
A centre-back drives forward towards an opposing forward who is marking a central midfielder. As the forward presses, the midfielder becomes available to receive the pass, turning to exploit the created space.
Steps to Split Defenders
Splitting Opponents: Exploiting Gaps
Splitting opponents is about using dribbling to manipulate multiple defenders simultaneously. The goal is to attack the space between two defenders, forcing them to react and disrupt their defensive structure.
Splitting defenders requires technical precision, awareness, and the ability to read the defensive setup. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help players execute this effectively:
1. Recognise the Opportunity
Scan the Field: Look for gaps between two defenders, usually in the opponent’s first or second line of pressure.
Assess the Distance: Ensure the gap is wide enough to attack but close enough to force a defensive reaction.
Anticipate Movement: Consider how the defenders might react if you attempt to split them.
2. Position Yourself
Stay Central to the Gap: Align your body with the space between the defenders to maximise your options.
Body Shape: Position your body to face the gap with an open stance, allowing you to react quickly.
Close Control: Keep the ball close to your feet to maintain control and adjust your direction if needed.
3. Commit to the Action
Drive with Purpose: Push the ball into the gap between the defenders with confidence. This forces them to react.
Use Speed: Accelerate as you approach the gap to reduce the defenders’ time to adjust.
Deceive the Defenders: Use subtle body feints or changes in pace to create hesitation or confusion.
4. Read the Defensive Reaction
Stay Composed: Watch how the defenders respond to your movement.
Adapt Quickly: If they converge on you, look for a pass to an open teammate in the space they vacated.
Exploit the Space: If the defenders hesitate or fail to close the gap, continue driving forward to break their lines.
5. Execute the Next Action
Pass: If teammates are positioned well, play a pass into the space behind the defenders or to an open player.
Dribble: If space opens ahead of you, keep carrying the ball forward to progress the attack.
Combine: Use a one-two (wall pass) with a nearby teammate to quickly bypass the defenders.
Key Tips for Success
Keep Your Head Up: Constantly scan to make decisions in real-time.
Use Disguise: Fake a pass or a change in direction to unbalance the defenders.
Practice Under Pressure: Train in scenarios that replicate game intensity to build confidence and decision-making.
By mastering these steps, players can consistently unbalance defensive structures, create superiorities, and unlock new attacking opportunities for their team.
10 Tactical Considerations When Using Fixing or Splitting
Here are several tactical considerations to keep in mind when using the concepts of fixing and splitting opponents to create superiorities when playing out from the back:
1. Player Positioning
Spacing Between Lines: Ensure teammates are positioned between or behind opposition lines, creating viable passing options once defenders are drawn out.
Support Angles: The ball carrier must have clear support nearby to maintain possession when pressure increases.
Width and Depth: Teammates should stretch the field horizontally and vertically to maximize the gaps available for splitting or fixing defenders.
2. Recognising Defensive Triggers
Assess the Defensive Setup: Determine if the opponent is pressing high, sitting deep, or man-marking. Based on these patterns, the approach to fixing or splitting will vary.
Identify Key Defenders: Look for defenders who are hesitant to commit or who are marking tightly. Targeting these players can create vulnerabilities in the shape of the opposition.
3. Timing and Tempo
Patience in Possession: Rushing to split or fix without proper buildup can lead to turnovers. Move the ball side-to-side to provoke defensive shifts and open up gaps.
Quick Execution: Once the opportunity to fix or split arises, players must act decisively to exploit the moment before defenders recover.
4. Ball Carrier’s Role
Controlled Aggression: The ball carrier must drive confidently into space or toward defenders without overcommitting and losing possession.
Head-Up Play: Continuously scan for passing options and defensive reactions while moving with the ball.
Deception: Use body feints, changes in pace, or subtle movements to manipulate defenders and create uncertainty.
5. Supporting Movements Off the Ball
Diagonal Runs: Teammates should move diagonally to create new passing angles and drag defenders out of position.
Rotations: Midfielders and attackers can rotate into deeper areas to provide passing options and create overloads.
Third-Man Runs: A teammate can exploit space created by fixing or splitting defenders by running into the gap before the ball arrives.
6. Risk vs. Reward
Know When to Attempt: Players must assess whether the potential gain from splitting or fixing is worth the risk of losing the ball in dangerous areas.
Safety Outlets: Always maintain a secure option (e.g., a nearby centre-back or goalkeeper) to recycle possession if fixing or splitting isn’t viable.
7. Opponent Pressing Triggers
Lure the Press: Players can intentionally slow the tempo or hold the ball longer to draw opponents out of shape, making fixing or splitting easier.
Exploit Overcommitting Defenders: If an opponent presses too aggressively, they leave gaps that can be attacked quickly.
8. Role of the Goalkeeper
Active Participation: The goalkeeper can act as an extra outfield player, helping to draw pressure or exploit space with accurate passes.
Switching Play: If one side becomes congested, the goalkeeper can switch the ball to the opposite side to create new opportunities.
9. Tactical Overloads
Numerical Superiorities: Create 2v1 or 3v2 situations in key areas to make splitting or fixing easier.
Central Overloads: Overloading the middle forces defenders to collapse centrally, opening up wide channels for progression.
10. Adjusting to Opponent’s Response
Anticipate Adaptations: As opponents recognise your strategy, they may change their defensive approach. Be ready to adjust by varying fixing and splitting techniques.
Rotational Pressures: Opponents might switch from man-marking to zonal pressing, requiring
Fixing or Splitting | Test Player Understanding
Here are some effective questions to ask players when coaching them on fixing and splitting opponents to create superiorities:
Understanding the Concept
1. What do you think happens to the defenders when you drive towards one of them with the ball?
2. Why is it important to scan the field before attempting to fix or split opponents?
3. How does splitting two defenders with your movement or pass create space for the team?
Decision-Making
4. How do you decide whether to pass, dribble, or keep possession when facing limited options?
5. When is the best moment to release the ball after drawing a defender toward you?
6. What should you look for to know if splitting two defenders is a good choice?
Positioning and Awareness
7. Where should your teammates position themselves to help you when you’re fixing an opponent?
8. What might happen if your teammates don’t create angles for a pass while you’re driving forward?
9. How can you adjust your body position to protect the ball while attracting a defender?
Execution
10. How can you use a change of pace or direction to fix a defender more effectively?
11. What can you do to disguise your intention when trying to split two defenders?
12. If you successfully split the defenders, what should your next action be?
Final Thoughts:
Fixing and splitting opponents are essential skills for any team that wants to play out from the back with confidence and control. These techniques aren’t just about individual brilliance—they’re about manipulating the opposition, creating space, and enabling the team to progress together.
By understanding when to attract pressure, when to exploit gaps, and how to make the right decisions under pressure, players can break lines and unbalance even the most organized defences.
With proper training, clear communication, and a tactical mindset, your players can turn these principles into powerful tools for dominating the game. The beauty of fixing and splitting lies in its simplicity: by drawing defenders and creating space, your team doesn’t just move the ball—they control the game.
“When you have the ball, you must give the opponent a problem they do not want to solve. This happens when you draw their players out of position and create new paths forward.” - Arsène Wenger
Full Practice: Fixing or Splitting Opponents
5v2 | Fixing Opponents to Create Passing Lanes | Transitional Rondo
⚽️ Created On: @SSPlanner
Aim:
Spot opportunities to fix opponents or split them in a possession practice.
Set-Up:
25 by 10-yard pitch space plus a central 5yard central zone (orange) then 2 x 4-yard end zones (red)
👕 Teams: ⚫️ Possession team 🔴 Defending team
How to Play:
⚫️s connect 3/4 passes then get the ball into the orange zone to unlock a pass into the opposite possession space.
⚫️s then transition into the other half and continue to keep the ball.
Each transfer from box to box via the orange zone is a goal.
🔴s win back the ball and dribble into the red end zones.
🚧 Constraints:
🏆Reward: ⚫️s with an extra ball ⚽️ if they achieve 3 x consecutive transfers
👨🏫 Review: ⚫️s dribble towards opponents to commit them and connect with a teammate
🚫 Restriction: Pass limits in each possession square before a transfer
Fixing Opponents to Create Passing Lanes | 3v2 Practice.
⚽️ Created On: @SSPlanner
Aim:
Using fixing and splitting to create overloads
Set-Up:
40 by 30 pitch with 2 x larger goals 🥅 and a central drop-in zone that’s only available to the attacking team.
👕 Teams: ⚫️ Attack and defend 🔴 Attack and Defend
How to Play:
The game is directional. Each team attacks and defends a goal.
To unlock the opposite half a teammate must drop into the central zone to receive the ball ⚽️
Once the ball has been received centrally a player can support from deep to overload the attacking team (3v2).
Once an attack finishes the ball ⚽️ starts with the GK 🟢 and the practice continues.
🚧 Constraints:
🏆Reward: Players who commit opponents and successfully link play receive a 2nd ball to attack with.
👨🏫 Review: Drive with the ball toward an opponent who is marking a teammate to free them up
🚫 Restriction: The player that plays into the central zone cannot be the player that joins in the attack.
Fixing or Splitting Opponents | Half Pitch Practice
⚽️ Created On: @SSPlanner
Aim:
Positional play activity for players to spot opportunities to fix or split opponents in a game-like situation.
Set-Up:
On half a field place 3 x mini goals 🥅 across the width of the halfway line then place a gridded zone across the width of the half (orange)
A large goal is needed at the opposite end.
👕 Teams: ⚫️s Build up team seeking a playout 🔴s Pressing team looking to regain and score in large goal.
How to Play:
⚫️s need to work the ball into the orange zone to unlock the chance to score in any of the three mini-goals.
The ⚫️s have a player in the orange zone who can drop in to get on the ball. The 🔴 in this zone is fixed within it.
All the 🔴s can recover into the orange zone and into the space behind it to defend.
🚧 Constraints:
🏆Reward: ⚫️s achieve bonus goals if they fix or split opponents before scoring
👨🏫 Review: The decision of attacking players to carry the ball to fix or split opponents.
🚫 Restriction: A time limit on the ⚫️s to get into the orange zone or 🔴s get the ball ⚽️.
“The best players are those who can make the opposition move. Whether with a pass, a dribble, or just positioning, you need to pull the strings to break them apart.” - Carlo Ancelotti
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