Thread by @Chris17_t

Tactical Theory: The importance of diagonality in football

- offensive aspects
- defensive aspects

#SundayShare @SundayShare10 #Tactics

[THREAD]

Diagonality is from immense importance in nearly every phase of the game, but still often undervalued.

This thread analyses the importance of diagonality both in and out of possession.

Offensive aspects:

To begin with, let's have a look on passing. There is usually a distinction between three types of passes: horizontal passes, vertical passes, and diagonal passes.

A horizontal pass allows the team in possession to switch the point of attack but doesn't directly lead to a progression further up. In comparison, a vertical pass leads to progression in attack, but no change of direction.

Here comes the diagonal pass in. A diagonal pass basically combines the benefits of the horizontal (change of direction) and vertical pass (progression).

Additionally, a diagonal pass requires a more complex movement of the defenders. At a horizontal or vertical pass, the defenders more or less only have to move in one direction. Either to one side or forwards and backwards.

At a diagonal pass, the defenders are often forced to both move horizontally and vertically, which requires more communication. This is a difficult task and can allow the possession side to progress and create chances.

Moreover, a diagonal pass usually leads to a better point of view and receiving angle for the receiver, who can directly progress further up. In comparison to the vertical pass for instance, where the receiver faces backwards and often needs a teammate to lay the ball off.

A diagonal pass is especially effective if played against the movement of the defensive side. This type of pass is very difficult to defend and often leads to a dynamical advantage for the team in possession.

Additionally, a diagonal pass usually makes it easier for a player to position himself on the blind-side of his opponent, as the defender can't focus on both the passer and his opponent due to the diagonal position of the players from the in-possession side.

However, to enable diagonal passes, a good structure in possession is necessary. To create diagonal passing lanes, triangles and diamonds are to be striven for.

A well-known way to achieve this aim is the usage of the rules of positional play: No more than 3 players on the same horizontal line and no more than 2 players on the same vertical line. Usually, formations such as a 2-3-5 or 3-2-5 emerge from these guidelines.

Next up, we have diagonal movements, which also offer a strategic alternative in possession. Similar to the pass, it combines the advantages and dissolves the disadvantages of a horizontal and vertical run.

A horizontal run can be difficult to defend as the player moves past various spaces and defenders. This can make it difficult for the defensive side to communicate on who should move up on the runner. However, a player moving horizontally usually has an unsuitable body position.

A vertical run enables the player to get in behind. However, these runs are usually easier to defend as the opponent only has to move in one direction, which doesn’t create a dilemma for the defenders on who to pick the runner, as he doesn’t move past various defenders.

Now to diagonal runs: Usually, passes for diagonal runs are also often diagonal, which makes it challenging for the defender to both watch the passer and the receiver.

Furthermore, the runner can get in behind and move past a few opponents, which can pose a threat for the defensive side on which player should pick up the runner. Also, the receiver has again a open body position to handle the ball and progress.

Due to this difficulty to defend, diagonal runs can also be used as decoy runs to unsettle the defensive side.

Lastly in the in-possession section, I'd like to briefly touch on diagonal dribbles. This form of dribbling can be very surprising for the opponent and also be a difficulty for the defensive side on who should move up and when to move up.

Defensive aspects:

Having a good diagonal structure with triangles and diamonds not only is beneficial in possession. It also enables a more successful counterpressing, as the players are positioned on various horizontal and vertical lines.

This positioning makes it more difficult for the opponent to play through the pressure as it enables the counterpressing team to control bigger spaces and have a better coverage. Having a better coverage also allows the players to be more aggressive at winning the ball back.

But also, at defending as a unit, diagonality is very important. An example is the defence triangle. This usually comes into play when a centre back moves up to press an opponent. Then, the two players besides the centre back move closer to each other to form a triangle.

It would be counterproductive, if just one player moves into the open space to cover the centre back, as this would open space elsewhere. Therefore, this diagonal coverage in form of a triangle is more effective.

Diagonal coverage can also be used in the midfield, often if teams use a double pivot. This concept is called midfield libero, as one central midfielder, who moves slightly deeper basically acts as a libero temporarily, when he covers his partner and space in between the lines.

Conclusion:

Diagonality is a useful tool both in an offensive and defensive manner, which should definitely be used purposefully by every team.

I hope you enjoyed this thread! Feedback is appreciated in any form whatsoever!