Playing with a Sweeper
A good sweeper breeds great confidence throughout the team, knowing he can cover mistakes and also come into attack and create an extra man, or create space which others can exploit. For the sweeper system to be effective you require two very disciplined markers in front of the back man, and the better the marking the better the opposing strikers have to be.
Forwards have to work hard on their skills to try and retain the ball or pass well, with one or two touches if their team is to attack effectively. The depth which the sweeper gives his team forces
the opponents to look generally for space down the flanks and away from the goal, they also have to be more
varied and sophisticated in their passing.
Playing with a sweeper is not defensive; indeed it can be the complete opposite in giving players more freedom in going forward to express themselves in the opponents attacking third.
A sweeper has to be an excellent communicator; if his understanding is good then as a forward you will constantly hear "push him wide", don't let him turn", "man arriving on your left shoulder", "don't let the ball bounce", "I'll have it back (ball), "push out fast", "take the near post", etc.
The defensive security, which this deep and central cover provides, means that defenders can constantly try and
win balls in front of opponents if possible. Sweepers provide instantly one of the main principles in defending -- depth. They also provide another vital principle in "balance",
in other words they plug any "holes" that exist in defense, whilst constantly urging their markers to exert great pressure on the opposition's front players, giving them no time or space on the ball, consequently everything has
to be hurried.
To summarize, the sweeper is a three-in-one player, a defender, a midfield player and an attacker. The role has
risks proportionate to the advantages. The individual selected must have a great sense of what is required in each third of the field in terms of risk and safety. Above all he needs to be intelligent, clear thinking and composed.
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