Marcelo Bielsa took Leeds United back to the Premier League in 2020 after 16 years away, with a style that was very different from most teams. Without the ball, Leeds man-marked across the pitch: almost every outfield player tracked an opponent wherever they went, with one centre-back left free as the spare man. With the ball, they attacked quickly and directly, often from a 4-1-4-1 shape. It's intense and risky, and fascinating to coach.
Step 1 of 3
Everyone picks up a player. One centre-back (left here) stays free as the spare man.
Drawn for 11v11 4-1-4-1. Pick your own format and shape and every step is redrawn for your players. Then present it or send it to your team.
Step by step
Everyone picks up a player. One centre-back (left here) stays free as the spare man.
They pass to their midfielder. Our marker is touch-tight, so he can't turn.
He tries to spin away. Our marker wins it, and we attack straight away.
When to use it
Against teams who build slowly, when your players have the fitness for it. Short spells of man-marking in training are a great way to teach tracking and duels.
Coaching points
Each outfield player picks up one opponent and follows them.
One centre-back stays free as the spare man to cover.
Mark tight enough to stop them turning.
When the ball is won, attack quickly before their players recover.
Fitness and concentration matter: one lost duel can open the whole pitch.
Who does what
Position
Their job
Markers
Track their opponent wherever they go.
Spare centre-back
Free to cover behind any beaten marker.
Holding midfielder
Marks their deepest attacking midfielder or 10.
Striker
Presses their centre-backs; first runner on the counter.
When they change it
If they…
You…
Opponents rotate positions
Markers follow or pass on, as agreed. Following is simpler for young players.
A marker is beaten
The spare centre-back steps in; everyone else stays with their player.
Copying it at grassroots
Use man-marking games in training; full-game man-marking is hard for young players.
Common mistakes
Ball-watching and losing your player.
No spare player, so one beaten marker means a chance.
Marking for so long that the team can't attack when it wins the ball.
At 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11
7v7
Man-marking games in training teach tracking and 1v1 defending. In matches, stick to zones.
9v9
Short spells of man-marking with one spare defender.
11v11
The board: a 4-1-4-1 man-marking a 4-3-3 build-up, one spare centre-back.
Sources
The history on this page is written in our own words from these sources. The board is our simplified picture of the idea, not a copy of any match footage.
