🧠 Playbook | 2-2-1 Defensivsystem 

🔍 What is the 2-2-1-System?

• The 2-2-1 system is often referred to as the "Box +1" system – a fitting name.

• In more passive versions, the box protects the dangerous areas around the slot.

• In more aggressive variations, the formation is used to put pressure on the opponent, deny access to the slot, and disrupt structured offensive plays. 

🧩 Positions in the 2-2-1 System

• Left and Right Defenders (Ball-side Defender & Weak-side Defender) positioned close to the goalie

• Left and Right Midfielders/Centers (Ball-side Center & Weak-side Center), completing the Red Zone area of the system

• Steering Player/Top (Steering Winger), operates in front of the box and guides the play

💡 Note: Some teams refer to the midfielders differently (e.g., as centers or wingers), especially when transitioning from a 2-1-2 system to the 2-2-1. 

⚙️ Basic Principle – How Does the System Work?
The 2-2-1 system effectively reduces the size of the playing field in defense:

• Goal: Force the opponent to one side of the field → only 50% needs to be actively defended

• On zone entry: Limit the opponent to just 25% of the field → more compact, less space to cover
  The key player is the Steering Player / Top, who applies pressure and dictates the direction of play

Of course, this doesn’t guarantee that the opponent will give up trying to play cross-court, but there’s a good chance they’ll settle for an easy pass along the boards — which could put them in a difficult situation later, when space becomes tight in the defensive zone.

The most common idea in the defensive zone is to keep the opponent confined to one half of the zone, further limiting their space. This means the defending team only needs to cover 25% of the field.

🌊 Defensive Waves – 🧭 North-South Waves

1️⃣ Steering Player

2️⃣ Centers (Midfielders)

3️⃣ Defenders 

🌊 Defensive Waves – 🧭 East-West Waves

Aus einer Ost-West-Perspektive 

1️⃣ Ball-side players + Steering Player → divide the field into two halve

2️⃣Weak-side players (also known as the “sleeping side”) → anticipate and provide cover

🧬 Player Profile Requirements

• Steering Player: Excellent footwork and endurance, frequent sprints per shift, high intensity

• Midfielders & Defenders: Strong lateral movement

In the more aggressive version, the Steering Player must perform several maximum-effort runs in every shift to be effective.

✅ Advantages of the System

• Easy to coach and learn – clear zones, low decision complexity

• Tactically flexible – the steering player can be adapted to target specific opponents

• Ideal when in the lead – prevents players from dropping back too early and keeps intensity high

• Virtually two centers – when midfielders have good lateral movement, the system can act like it has two cent

❌ Disadvantages of the System

• Lateral (East–West) passes can break down the system if defensive movement is poor

• Only one true forward – skilled opponents with strong ball control can exploit numerical advantages

• Pressure from three high attackers – may lead to 2-on-3 situations against your defense

• Limited full-court press – only one player positioned up front to initiate pressure

🔹 Positional, Passive Version

• Focus: Compactness and space control

• The steering player secures the area in front of the box and prevents dangerous plays

• Low running effort, but strong positional discipline

🔸 Aggressive Version

• Focus: Maximum pressure, larger box, more active defendin

• The steering player covers a wider area, and the box is larger and more dynamic

• Goal: Force opponents into mistakes and create turnovers