The last line of defense and, increasingly, the first line of attack. Commands the box on crosses, organizes the back line, and starts moves with distribution under pressure.
Starts attacks with quick, accurate distribution: a short pass to a center-back or a longer ball to bypass the first press, chosen based on how the opposition is set up.
Out of possession
Organizes the last line, commands the box on crosses and set pieces, and covers the space in behind a high defensive line by sweeping up through balls.
How to play it
›Set your starting position based on the ball's angle, not just the center of the goal
›Communicate defensive assignments early, before a cross or shot is even likely
›Commit fully to any decision to come off your line. Hesitation is what gets punished
›Vary distribution length and speed based on how aggressively the opposition presses
Common mistakes
−Ball-watching instead of tracking the runners a cross is aimed at
−Committing to a save early and getting caught out by a late deflection
−Distributing to the nearest option under pressure instead of the best one