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The zones between the central area and the flanks, roughly where the edges of the penalty box would extend up the pitch. Important because they sit in the gaps between defenders - between centre-back and full-back, or between central and wide midfielders. Players who can receive here are hard to mark and have good angles to face goal or play passes. A big concept in modern positional play.
Kevin De Bruyne is a master of the right half-space - he drifts into this zone between opposition midfield and defense, receives on the turn, and either drives at goal or picks out teammates with his signature cross-field passes.
Robbie
Jan 16, 2026
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