What is a defensive system?  

A defensive system is your team’s plan for marking their opposition. 

If marking player-to-player, your team will simply follow their opposition’s movements. However, if marking zonally, your team will adopt a more consistent shape.  

Examples of defensive systems 

Defending systems promote effective teamwork. Here are three of the most common examples.   

• Player-to-player defence

This can be a great starting point for young players learning the game because it really challenges players to win their 1v1 duals. 

• Player-to-player with exchanges 

• Zonal defence 

How to use defensive systems 

Each of the systems we’ve covered can be used in different areas of the court.  

If your players use a defensive system in a 'high’ area (i.e. near the other team’s goal), they increase the pressure on their opposition. Should the other team lose the ball, your team are close to the goal – and it may be easier to score. However, if the other side win the ball back, they have lots of space to make a move. 

If your players use a defensive system in a ‘deep’ area (i.e. near your goal), the other team can get much closer to your keeper. However, a deep defensive system also means the opposition has less room for manoeuvre and there’s actually more space for you to attack. 

Especially a counter-attack. Let's learn more about counter-attacking in futsal.