Coaching Low Block Defending Like Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United & Scott Parker’s Burnley – Tactical Theory

What Is Low Block Defending?

Low block defending, where a team is set up to defend in their shape with numbers behind the ball in their own defensive third, is seen in almost every game of modern football.

This can be part of a deliberate strategy to sit deep and frustrate the opposition, or just a moment in the match where the opposition has a foothold in their half, and, as is increasingly the case, the defending team has 10 or 11 players behind the ball.

This low block defending tactical analysis will provide examples of Eddie Howe tactics at Newcastle United and Scott Parker Tactics at Burnley, and how they have defended as a team in recent weeks, and analyse the nuances involved for individual defenders. 

This low-block defending tactical theory will also provide example training exercises for coaches who wish to improve their teams low-block defending.

These coaching exercises are designed to help teams play as a cohesive defensive unit and to improve the defence of individual players within that team.

Newcastle United In A Low Block

The above image is from the Magpies Premier League encounter with Liverpool.

Newcastle, playing in a 4-3-3 formation, are pinned in their own defensive third against Liverpools formidable attack.