Understanding the Low Block in Football

What is the prevailing trend among the biggest and best teams?

• Playing with pace and high pressing

• Playing with width and playing through

• Playing with a low block

• Playing with a high press

Which teams have found success with a low block?

• Mourinho's Inter Milan and Simeone's Atletico Madrid

• Liverpool and Bayern Munich

• Burnley, Wolves, and Newcastle

• Teams that employ a low block don't usually find success

What does 'low' describe in the context of a low block?

• The defensive third of the pitch

• The attacking third of the pitch

• The middle third of the pitch

• The area around the goal

How can a low block be approximated statistically?

• By measuring the average start distance of open play sequences

• By measuring the percentage of pressures in the attacking third

• By measuring the number of goals conceded from set-pieces

• By measuring the number of passes completed in the defensive third

What is one way to beat a low block?

• Playing with width

• Playing through the middle

• Playing with a high press

• Playing long balls over the defense

How can teams exploit the wide areas against a low block?

• By breaking quickly into the wide areas and having runners from deeper positions

• By playing long balls into the wide areas

• By keeping possession in the wide areas

• By playing short passes in the wide areas

What can happen if the nearside full back goes out to block a cross?

• Leaves space in the channel between the full back and the nearside centre back

• Leaves space on the far side of the pitch

• Leaves space in the middle of the pitch

• Leaves space for the attacker to shoot from distance

What is required to play through a low block?

• Technical players who can find space between the lines

• Fast players who can outrun the defenders

• Tall players who can win aerial duels

• Strong players who can hold off defenders

What can players do to create shooting opportunities against a low block?

• Arrive at pace and shoot from in front of the last line of defense

• Dribble past multiple defenders and shoot from close range

• Pass the ball quickly and shoot from outside the box

• Wait for the defenders to make a mistake and shoot from a rebound

Which teams had the lowest average start distance of open play sequences?

• Teams from Europe's top five leagues

• Burnley, Wolves, and Newcastle

• Liverpool and Bayern Munich

• Mourinho's Inter Milan and Simeone's Atletico Madrid