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As shown in the ’soccer formations’ picture, a sweeper traditionally plays behind the back four. This system was developed in Italy and it allows the sweeper to clean up any loose balls behind the defence and get to any attackers who have slipped through. He is free to move along the line wherever he feels he is needed and this position can be a great utility to the team.

But it’s normally seen as the goalkeeper’s role to clear up in his area and to act as that sweeper as well as a shot stopper so that position isn’t always needed after all!

So… later on the sweeper’s role was then seen to be just in front of the defence- rather like a modern day defensive midfielder.

And that is the development of the sweeper system in a nutshell!

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