What does "zonal marking" refer to?

What does "zonal marking" refer to?

• A. A defensive strategy where players mark opponents directly
• B. A system where defenders cover areas instead of individual players
• C. A tactical approach focusing on attacking the opponent's zone
• D. A method for pressing high on the pitch

Answer: (B)

Zonal marking refers to a defensive strategy in which players are responsible for covering specific areas of the pitch rather than marking individual opponents directly. This approach allows teams to maintain defensive organization and provides flexibility in responding to the movements of the attacking team. When an opponent enters a defender's designated area, that defender is tasked with either challenging for the ball or ensuring that the area is adequately covered, allowing for a more cohesive team defense. In contrast, marking opponents directly tends to focus on individual players which can sometimes lead to miscommunication and disorganization if those players move out of their assigned zones. Zonal marking encourages players to read the game collectively and react to the flow rather than being fixed on tracking one person. Furthermore, while attacking strategies or high pressing tackles relate to how teams engage with the opponent in their half of the field, they do not pertain to the fundamental concept of zonal marking. Overall, this tactic can be particularly effective against teams that employ positional play, as it neutralizes threats based on space rather than man-to-man confrontations.

Zonal marking refers to a defensive strategy in which players are responsible for covering specific areas of the pitch rather than marking individual opponents directly. This approach allows teams to maintain defensive organization and provides flexibility in responding to the movements of the attacking team. When an opponent enters a defender's designated area, that defender is tasked with either challenging for the ball or ensuring that the area is adequately covered, allowing for a more cohesive team defense.

In contrast, marking opponents directly tends to focus on individual players which can sometimes lead to miscommunication and disorganization if those players move out of their assigned zones. Zonal marking encourages players to read the game collectively and react to the flow rather than being fixed on tracking one person. Furthermore, while attacking strategies or high pressing tackles relate to how teams engage with the opponent in their half of the field, they do not pertain to the fundamental concept of zonal marking. Overall, this tactic can be particularly effective against teams that employ positional play, as it neutralizes threats based on space rather than man-to-man confrontations.