Atlético Madrid are renowned for their highly compact defensive strategies. This compactness in all areas of the pitch makes it extremely difficult for opponent teams to maintain possession for long periods or create penetrative opportunities.
By no means does this imply that Atlético are a ‘defensive’ team; they remain compact in all areas of the pitch including the opponent’s half to force errors and create goal-scoring opportunities from transitions.
Use the following activity to develop your teams understanding of Vertical ‘Compactness’!
Activity #1:
Setup:
Players are organised in an 8v8 (7 + GKs) as shown. *Game may be adjusted to 6v6 / 7v7.
The pitch is divided into 4 vertical channels and labelled A / B / A / B.
Instructions:
TACTICAL GAME: VERTICAL COMPACTNESS
Team in possession attempts to score in their opponent’s goal. Emphasis is on the compactness of the Defensive team – ALL players from the defensive team must be in the same vertical channel as the ball AND the adjoining vertical channel; In other words; ALL players in channels A/B at all times. Defensive players are also encouraged to immediately press the player in possession.
Coaching Points:
- Use Fore-Checking (marking ball-side) to increase compactness and deny passing channels
- Encourage sideline traps – don’t allow the opponent to escape from the wide channels
Activity #2:
Setup:
Players are organised in an 8v8 (7 + GKs) as shown. *Game may be adjusted to 6v6 / 7v7. The pitch is divided into 4 vertical channels and labelled A / B / A / B.
Instructions:
TACTICAL GAME: VERTICAL COMPACTNESS
ALL players from the defensive team must be in the same vertical channel as the ball AND the adjoining vertical channel; In other words, ALL players in channels A/B at all times. In the diagram, the Defensive team have compacted the central 2 channels to avoid penetration / passing options.
Coaching Points:
- Use Fore-Checking (marking ball-side) to increase compactness and deny passing channels
- Team must move as one compact unit
- Angles or Pressing – deny the team in possession opportunities to move the ball from wide channel to opposite wide channel