Field Depth Control

Field depth control focuses on the vertical dimension of positioning. On most layouts, bunkers can be grouped into backline, midline, and forward layers. When players are spread across these layers in a balanced way, their angles and responsibilities can overlap in supportive patterns.

For example, back players may hold long lanes and direct communication, midline players may control interior gaps and crossfield shots, and front players may apply pressure from closer bunkers. When these layers are preserved, it is often easier to cover teammates, respond to changes, and maintain options for both attack and defense.

Problems can occur when field depth collapses. If several players are eliminated from forward or mid positions and remaining players fall back to a single line, opponents may gain access to forward bunkers that allow them to attack that line from several angles at once. Similarly, if everyone advances too far without stable support behind them, recoveries and crossfield help can become difficult.

Teams often discuss depth control while walking fields, identifying which bunkers make sense as tiered layers and how those layers interact. During games, real-time adjustment and communication help maintain or restore this structure as situations change.

Field depth control connects with half-field control and zone control nodes, providing a way to describe not just which areas of the field are influenced, but also how far into the layout those layers extend.