Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): 9v9 Tactical Principles

Am-Club: Pickering Football Club

Dave Benning

Profile Summary

Name:	Dave Benning
City:	Pickering
Country:	Canada
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

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Description

A simple explanation to provide to players on how to understand the roles and responsibilities of playing soccer properly when not in possession (B-) Defending in Their 1/2 (Opponent's) & Defending in Our 1/2. These are two critical areas to have players understand how to win the ball back in order to attack, create positive scoring opportunities and to capitalize on them. This will allow the players to take ownership of their own unique style and flair to be admired by those who enjoy the pure possession game!

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Tactical Defensive Responsibilities

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Tactical Defensive Responsibilities

9v9 Playing formation of 1-3-2-1-2 (GK-DEF-Triangle MDF-FWD)

This formation will provide a well balanced team throughout the field.

Payers work in groups of 3 up and across the field. Hence the reasoning behind players playing 3 vs.1 at practices with 'elastic' field markings.

Principles: Pressure, Support, Cover

1st Player to the ball pressure's the opponent either inside or outside

2nd Player provides support for the space around the ball

3rd Player provides cover for the space away from the ball

All other players shift across to provide balance

Defending Their 1/2 (The opponent have the ball (B+) in their own 1/2 - We pressure in their 1/2 to win the ball back)

Responsibilities:

RFB, RMDF & RWNG for defending on the right side of the field as a group

LFB, LMDF & LWNG for defending on the left side of the field as a group

RWNG, AMDF & LWNG for defending in the central area up front as a group

Defending Our 1/2 (The opponent has the ball (B+) in Our 1/2)

Responsibilities:

RMDF, AMDF & LMDF for defending in the middle of the field as a group

CB, LFB, LMDF for defending deep on the left side as a group

CB, RFB, RMDF for defending deep on the right side as a group

CB, RMDF, LMDF for defending deep in the central areas of the field as a group

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Field Areas of Responsibilities

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Field Areas of Responsibilities

Areas of the field a player might cover during the game, which they are responsible for when defending. Loss of possession (B-)

Transition from attack to defense is critical in their decision making to win the ball back in order to counter attack and catch the opponent off balance.

Initial reaction should be to establish team shape, by delaying, denying the central areas of the field from being attacked and deflect such attack towards the sidelines to destroy the opposition's attack. (Always establish a diamond in the middle to Prevent Penetration by the opponent's attack)

Once in possession of the ball: protect it, secure it, supply it, support it, finish it & protect yourself from being countered on the counter attack.

When defending as a team keep the spaces between the players & lines tight from being exposed by players who can dribble or outrun the midfield.