Variations in build-up play

The modern goalkeeper’s ability to play short, medium and long passes accurately to her team-mates has revolutionised how teams can start building an attack and enhances their unpredictability. Modern centre-backs’ mastery of the ball allows them to confidently command a backline and enables the full-backs to occupy more advanced positions. The evolution of these two roles has granted teams greater defensive security, which encourages the development of more innovative build-up play. The following analysis explores the exciting and diverse build-up variations encountered at the latest edition of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.

The build-up strategy adopted by Great Britain was amongst the most aggressive of all of the participating teams. Their set-up typically consisted of a defence comprising two 
centre-backs, with the full-backs afforded the freedom to push high and wide. The attacking nature of Team GB’s build-up was particularly epitomised by right full-back, Lucy Bronze, who frequently found herself in more advanced positions than her midfield team-mates. On many occasions, she even drifted into central areas ahead of the midfield line. A full-back occupying central positions ahead of the midfield and playing such an integral role in her side’s attacking game represented a refreshing element of the offensive build-up play on show at the tournament.

One noteworthy trend identified amongst the teams that progressed furthest in the tournament relates to their willingness to adapt their build-up play to suit the the goalkeepers of teams such as the Netherlands and Sweden and, on occasion, the USA and Japan pushed up to join two central defenders and form a three-strong backline. These centre-backs split to create space centrally for the shot-stopper to slot in alongside them.

Another unique variation was adopted by Japan and eventual winners Canada that involved a holding midfielder dropping back into the defensive line to help with the build-up. This player would either move back and occupy the space between the team’s two central defenders (an inversion of the tactic involving the Netherlands and Sweden’s goalkeepers) or operate between a centre-back and full-back.

One of the newest and most innovative build-up variations was adopted by Australia, with the team’s outfield players forming a large shape in their own half to initiate the build-up. Setting up in either a 3-4-3 or 5-2-3 formation, the Matildas purposefully spread the play across all of their own half in a build-up variation that also included the goalkeeper. However, once the ball crossed the halfway line, players would attack with urgency as they aimed to find star striker Sam Kerr, positioned in the opposition’s box, as quickly as possible. The halfway-line trigger and the team’s ability to spread the play throughout their whole half – even as deep as their own goal line – resulted in a build-up tactic that posed their opposition a unique challenge.