back four
Rearguard in football
The back four is a soccer team's defensive line of four players—typically two center-backs flanked by a left-back and right-back.
The term treats these players as a tactical unit: The back four held firm under pressure.
Commentary often uses it to discuss defensive organization: Their back four was all over the place in the second half.
Those who shield others
- fullbacksOffensive backfield position
- sweeperOne who cleans floors
- stopperClosure for an opening
- backlineRearmost defensive players
rearguard · 4-4-2 · zonal · man-marking · narrow · compact · shape · lineup
Indicating with symbols
- clearancePermitted passage or approval
- interceptionSeizing something in transit
- tackleGear or takedown
- overlapPartial coincidence of coverage
press · cover · tracking · communication · cohesion · coordination · partnership · spacing
Guarding against harm
- shieldingProtecting from harm
- guardingActively protecting something
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- securityProtection from threat
block · barrier · solidarity · shutout · goal-line · last-ditch · screening · containment
defenders
Those who shield others
backline · rearguard · 4-4-2 · zonal · man-marking · narrow · compact · shape · lineup · quartet
marking
Indicating with symbols
- clearancePermitted passage or approval
- interceptionSeizing something in transit
- tackleGear or takedown
overlap · press · cover · tracking · communication · cohesion · coordination · partnership · spacing · recovery
protection
Guarding against harm
- shieldingProtecting from harm
- guardingActively protecting something
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
security · block · barrier · solidarity · shutout · goal-line · last-ditch · screening · containment