RED LINE – Indicates the defending players with a possible 8 players on the red line

TRIANGLES – Marks the attacking team’s players

RED SQUARES – Marks the grid areas

The players (defending) is not termed within the new law change. The line (red) defending players, is not termed as players defending in a wall.

The attacking team can theoretically drop the ball over the defensive (red line) without too pace on the ball into the grid areas (as illustrated) allowing the attacking team to attack the ball and space vacated, with a clear route to goal, with their physical presence out weighing the defenders, due to the respective players positional play, with the defenders being manoeuvred into a side on position on facing their own goal, with a paced stride pattern and cannot defend with any freedom.

If the managers reverted to the old defensive system of defending with relative depth on set plays then at least the defensive unit would be facing the ball. The positional play of the defenders would improve them and be of benefit to better defending.

The Football Column does not advocate this tactic.