A comment on one of the other threads reminded me of this "dilemma". I prefer a flat back 4 vs sweeper/stopper, but sometimes I can't come up with a lot of good reasons why. Here's an attempt at verbalizing those reasons and to get some comments. By the way, my men's team plays with a sweeper, as does my daughter's HS team. Both my kid's club teams play a flat back 4. I think most progressive teams have moved away from a sweeper.
The reasons why a Flat Back 4 is better:
- No special roles. All the defenders have to tactically play the same way wrt second and third defender roles
- When not played correctly, more susceptible to the through ball, but always less susceptible to give and goes around the outside backs
- More width across the back so can cover more space
- Provides less space to attackers
- Better for offside traps
Other opinions?
The reasons why a Flat Back 4 is better:
- No special roles. All the defenders have to tactically play the same way wrt second and third defender roles
- When not played correctly, more susceptible to the through ball, but always less susceptible to give and goes around the outside backs
- More width across the back so can cover more space
- Provides less space to attackers
- Better for offside traps
Other opinions?
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