Offensive defenders tactic

What is it?

Offensive defenders tactic (also called Norwegian tactic) concentrates on boosting midfield and/or attack at expense of defence. The idea behind this tactics is simple as inequality: 5 > (10-6), meaning: if you'll get 6 out of 10 chances there are in every match, and you will score from at least 5 of them, you will win the match even if your opponent scores from every chance he gets. In other words, if your possesion is big enough to get you 6 chances in a match and your attacks are good enough to convert those chances into goals, you need no defence at all. So if giving up defence will give you such midfield and attacks, then it is a logical thing to do.

Why is it also called "Norwegian tactic" ?

The name of this tactic derives from famous final match (MatchID: 14287675) of World Cup IV, played on 29.02.2004, in which Norway beat Sweden 4-2 (it was the only World Cup not won by Sweden so far). Norwegian NT coach Snylte used the following line-up:

Norway gold medal line-up
GK
WB off	CD off	CD off	exIM
W off	IM off	IM off	WTM
FO		FO

The first offensive defenders tactic matches catalogued so far were played on 29.10.2003 (friendly, MatchID: 9958212) and 12.11.2003 (cup, MatchID: 12860969) - 4 months before the World Cup final - and there are probably even older ones (please submit them if you find them).

Offensive defenders tactic vs. all out tactic

Offensive defenders tactic is often mistaken with "classic" all out tactic, which concentrates on boosting midfield (possesion), even at expense of attack (for example playing both wingers toward middle), but they're really not the same. The following table summerises the differences between them.

	Offensive defenders tactic	All out tactic
Purpose	Gain at least 6 chances, score at least 5.	Gain all the chances in the game.
The idea	If you score 5 goals while opponent can only score 4, you need no defence, you'll win anyway.	If you gain all the chances in the game the opponent won't score and with so many chances you must score something even with weak attack.
Means used	Possesion >59% Attacks (at least central attack or both wings) equal or stronger than opponent's defences.	Extremely high midfield.
Lineups used	3-5-2, 3-4-3, (2-5-3)	3-5-2, (2-5-3)
Tactics used	AIM, AOW, normal	AIM
Players used	Two or three inner midfielders Two or three forwards Wingers offensive or towards middle One or two offensive central defenders One or two offensive wing backs	Three inner midfielders Two forwards Two wingers towards middle Two offensive central defenders (Wingbacks don't really matter)
Counter tactics	a) Strong midfield (possesion >44%) with central defence (if opponent is playing AIM) or both wing defences (if AOW/normal) stronger then opponents attacks. b) All defences much, much stronger than his attacks, counter attack.	Boosting central defence, CA and/or possesion >39%.

Effectiveness

While the changes in the game engine that increased the importance of defence - especially the introduction of CA and defensive coaches - severely hindered the effective use of all out tactic, the Offensive defenders tactic is still successfuly used by many managers.

See also

All out tactics