Futbol Island

Futsal lesson · Intermediate

Defend the Pivot: Entry or Goal Side?

Deny an entry pass when its angle is visible, then recover goal-side when the ball changes side.

What the coach says

  1. Defending a pivot is a relationship between the ball, the receiver and your goal. Deny a clear entry lane without gambling on every pass.
  2. The wide ball carrier can only see the pivot’s near side. The fixo can step into that ground-pass lane while teammates cover the other attackers.
  3. The entry lane is in front of you. Which position denies the pass without chasing the ball carrier?
  4. The fixo screens the entry. The other defenders stay with their responsibilities instead of all collapsing onto the pivot.
  5. Blue recycles behind the press. The pivot moves across towards the opposite channel.
  6. The ball switches right. The old fronting position no longer blocks the new entry angle.
  7. The ball and pivot have moved across. Where should you recover now?
  8. The fixo recovers goal-side, the right ala presses, and the opposite defenders protect the next pass. Denying entry did not mean staying in front forever.

Quiz questions

Try to answer before you read the coach’s explanation. On the island you answer each one on the pitch.

  1. Question 1

    The entry lane is in front of you. Which position denies the pass without chasing the ball carrier?

    • Approach the wide passer
    • Move in front of the pivot

    Coach’s explanation: This is between the passer and pivot. You deny the ground pass while remaining close enough to recover if the angle changes.

  2. Question 2

    The ball and pivot have moved across. Where should you recover now?

    • Approach the new passer
    • Move behind the pivot

    Coach’s explanation: Get behind the pivot, between them and our goal, so they can't turn and shoot.

  3. Question 3

    The FIXO screens the entry pass. Tap where the RIGHT ALA stays.

    • Goal-side of Blue's RIGHT ALA
    • Next to Blue's PIVOT
    • Up by the ball

    Coach’s explanation: The RIGHT ALA stays with their own player, so nobody is left free.

  4. Question 4

    Put the FIXO's jobs in order, from first to last.

    • Blue passes back behind the press
    • FIXO recovers behind the PIVOT
    • FIXO screens the entry pass
    • The ball switches to the right

    Coach’s explanation: First deny the entry, then recover goal-side when the ball changes side.

  5. Question 5

    The ball switches and Blue's PIVOT moves closer to our goal. Drag the FIXO to guard them.

    • Between the PIVOT and our goal
    • Out to the new passer
    • The middle, away from the PIVOT

    Coach’s explanation: The old screen no longer works, so the FIXO recovers goal-side of the PIVOT.

Play it on the island