Mastering High Line Defence Tactics: Insight From Brighton & Spurs

The start of the Premier League season has seen two teams flourish defensively with one of football’s riskiest yet most effective tactics. 

Brighton, under new manager Fabian Hürzelers tactics, has started to play an incredibly high defensive line, which has led to them catching more opponents offside than any other team in the Premier League this season. 

Tottenham have also continued to use this under Ange Postecoglous tactics after having the fifth-highest line and catching the second-highest amount of opponents offside in the 2023/24 season. 

Currently, Brighton and Tottenham are second and third in the rankings for the highest defensive line in the Premier League, respectively. 

As both teams faced each other on Sunday, a battle took place to see how they would counteract a side that deployed a similar defensive setup. 

This tactical theory and tactical analysis will first highlight how both sides have used their high line to gain a defensive advantage over their opponents. 

We will then consider the systems pitfalls and how both teams have been exploited this season by using the high line. 

Finally, a brief analysis of the side’s encounter will be carried out, highlighting which side was able to overcome the high line best against the other. 

What Are The Advantage Of Using A High Defensive Line?

Many football fans wince at the idea of their side playing with a ridiculously high line. 

They envisage countless balls being played over and through their defence, finding a pacey run of an opposition forward. 

Yet, why is it that some of football’s brightest minds tend to employ a tactic that could be costly if not used correctly? 

The first reason is the necessity of this tactic for teams that wish to press high. 

This season, Tottenham has the highest number of tackles in the attacking third, which shows their ability to press.

If a side like Tottenham wants to be aggressive when defending and prevent a team from playing out from the back, the whole team must make a unified effort.

If a teams defensive players don’t move with the pressing pack, it leaves massive gaps that a team with quality will be able to play through. 

The benefit of the high defensive line in these situations is that it significantly restricts the space between the lines, limiting the opposing teams opportunities to play passes through the thirds. 

Here, we see Leicester have progressed into the middle of the pitch against Tottenham. 

However, Tottenhams compactness makes it hard for a successful forward pass to be played. 

Tottenham have had the second-fewest progressive passes against them, an