Table 1. Results of expert interviews.
Category Subcategory Quantity
Goal of rest defense Prevent opposing counterattacks 5
Safe deep areas 4
Regain of the ball 4
Control dangerous players for counterattack 3
Enable counter-pressing 2
Safe own goal 1
Prevent opposing scoring opportunity 1
Safe dangerous areas 1
Safe areas far from the ball (weakside) 1
Slow down opposing counterattack 1
Playing phase of rest defense Offensive play (in ball possession)

- after the midfielder line is overplayed & players do not longer have a task in attacking play

- when ball is in opposing attacking third and players are no pass option

- when the ball is on opposing half or opposing attacking third

- when the ball is not in the last line or ball is in attacking third

7
(2)
(2)
(1)
(1)
Defensive transition

- after a ball loss

- until the opposing attack is finished (e.g. ball out of play, shot on goal)

- until the first pass of the opposing team after the ball loss

7
(5)
(1)
(1)
Players involved in rest defense Dependencies:

- Dependent on the game situation (e.g. ball position)

- Dependent on the opponent

- Dependent on the tactical formation

3
2
2
Tactical position/role:

- Central defenders

- Central midfielder

- Wide defender

(on the weakside =Ì‚ pitch side opposing to the ball position)

(solely with a back four formation)

- Goalkeeper

7
7
7
(3)
(1)
2
Defensive line 4
Penultimate line* 1
All players not involved in offensive play 1
4 players 1
Tactics of rest defense Man-to-man coverage 7
+1 majority

(sandwich)

(flat)

6
(4)
(2)
+2 majority 2
Space defending: 3+1 (diamond) 2
Space defending: 2+3 (trapezium) 1
-1 (outnumbered) 1
Successful/unsuccessful rest defense (outcome) Best:

- Ball regain

7
Good:

- Ball out of play

- Delay counterattack

- Foul

(in harmless situation (e.g. opposing half))

4
4
2
(1)
Okay:

- Foul

- Opposing switch of attacking side

- Stop opposing attack

3
1
1
Worst:

- Opposing scoring opportunity

- Opposing goal

- Being overplayed

- Successful opposing deep pass on the deepest attacker

5
3
1
1
* player line in front of the last defending line, e.g. midfielder-line