How To Create Chances Through Zone 14 – Tactical Theory

What is Zone 14 In Football?

In football, the pitch is divided into several zones in various ways.

For this following tactical analysis, we will use the following division and definition for Zone 14:

“On a pitch divided into a six-by-three grid with a central strip as wide as the six-yard box, the Zone 14, also called The Hole, has been classified as the rectangle which helps teams score more goals.” (spielverlagerung.com)

Zone 14 is one of the key areas on the pitch.

Centrally and not far away from the goal, Zone 14 offers several advantages for the attacking team.

Nevertheless, defences aim to close down spaces in this area as the threat in this zone of the pitch is obvious.

For example, in the famous 4-0 Liverpool vs Barcelona 2018/2019 Champions League semi-final, you can see Liverpool closing down Zone 14 with a highly compact defensive unit.

All of their three midfielders defend Zone 14, with one pressing the ball carrier and the other two covering.

As this area is often very well protected but still offers much attacking potential, the following analysis examines different ways to create chances successfully through Zone 14.

Occupation of Zone 14

As already mentioned, the defending side does not offer much space due to the threat from players within Zone 14.

That also means a time restriction for the attacking department.

As a consequence, dynamism plays a crucial role in occupying Zone 14.

If the aim is to play through this area, apart from a single attacker constantly providing depth, there should be no player standing within Zone 14.

The opposition would mark the player and further decrease space in front of the penalty area.

Instead, having players diagonally rotate into Zone 14 is more promising.

This makes it way harder for the defending side.

If a striker drops, the defender can follow, but with a player moving diagonally into Zone 14, it is difficult to decide whether a defender needs to step out or a midfielder needs to drop.

The time which is required to make this decision increases the time window for the attacking side.

This enables better pre-orientation and decision-making.

Above, one can see RB Leipzig playing into Zone 14.

With their left full-back, who rotated into the left half-space, now diagonally moving into Zone 14, the opposition are confronted with a dilemma.

Leipzig’s striker occupies the central defenders.

They can create a promising shooting opportunity with the quick interplay between Leipzig’s left-back and striker.

Wall player enabling up-back-through patterns

Since most backlines do not drop further towards their goal than into Zone 14, there often is not much space to receive and turn.

Therefore, a striker could receive the ball turned backwards to the goal with a defender in his back.

In this scenario, it is crucial to provide diagonal back-passing options promptly.

This allows for quick vertical up-back-through combinations, which are difficult to defend.

Again, diagonality is key here.

The vertical passing lane to the number nine is open, with players positioned diagonally towards their striker.

With a diagonal back pass, the ball position changes the attacking angle towards the goal and the angle for a possible through pass.

To defend against such an attack, the defenders must reposition themselves to intercept the through pass.

If the attacking team can play with only a few touches, though, this leaves little time for the defensive department to take ideal positions.

In the example above, we can see Arsenal playing up, back and through in Zone 14.

Although as the striker is not the wall player, the defence cannot defend this pattern.

Receive and turn within Zone 14

The most promising way to create a chance through Zone 14 is to get a player within the zone to receive the ball with an open body shape.

Apart from the above-mentioned up-back-through patterns, forward passes into attacking midfielders are another way to achieve this favourable situation.

Since most defensive sides have at least one midfielder covering the central space in front of their backline as a “bodyguard,” it is necessary to overload the centre of the pitch to create a receive-and-turn situation for an attacking midfielder.

Playing with a box midfield consisting of a double pivot and two central advanced midfielders or with wingers cutting inside can overload the centre.

The midfielders would then take up diagonal positions towards the ball carrier to receive with an open body shape.

The aforementioned dynamism is crucial here, as a static position will enable the defensive department to close down the player.

Due to the overload, the defensive team might need more time to reposition when confronted with several players within this zone.

This advantage should be used to quickly locate a free player within Zone 14 to receive and turn.

Once this pass is played, a through pass or chipped ball can break the last line of defence.

However, the latter one is difficult to play since there is not much space offered behind the backline.

In the image above, Napoli can bring an attacking player into a central position within Zone 14, capable of receiving and turning due to their central overload.

Therewith, they can create a goal-scoring opportunity after a through pass.

Shooting from Zone 14

Another option when receiving the ball with an open body shape in Zone 14 is to shoot.

Due to the zone’s centrality, the angle is advantageous for a finish.

Nevertheless, whether this is sensible or not is highly dependent on the opposition defenders’ ability to block the shot.

Due to the fact that defences try to defend the central area in front of their goal with an increased focus, there are many players positioned in this lane.

On the other hand, shooting from Zone 14 has advantages: the distance is not too far, and the goalkeeper might have limited sight due to the defenders between the ball and the goal.

Additionally, a deflection could make the shot even more dangerous.

Conclusion

Since Zone 14 is well-protected by the defending side in most situations, it is difficult to attack through this area.

On the other hand, this zone offers several advantages, as mentioned in our analysis.

The chance creation through Zone 14 is possible with various attacking schemes, such as up-back-through combinations, receiving and turning situations, or shots from this area.

For successful attacks through Zone 14, a well-timed off-ball movement and precise passing under pressure are required, though.

In summary, there is not just one solution to penetrate a defensive unit through Zone 14.

One needs to find fitting solutions depending on the opposition’s defending style and one’s own attacking philosophy.