Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): FAW UEFA B - DEFENDING THE OVERLOAD (SSG)

8v8 SSG

• Fast pressure on the ball.
• Recognise opposition player movement
• Protect the middle.
• Stay narrow and compact.
• Leave the furthest away from the ball

ORGANISATION:

• Coached Team: 1-4-3-3 (1-4-3-0), no LW, RW and ST
• Managed Team: 1-4-3-3 (0-2-2-3), no GK or CBs.
• Practice Area: Half pitch

INTERVENTIONS:

• Concurrent.
• Terminal.
• Walk-through.
• Coaching Process.

Block 2 (5 mins)

PROBLEM #2: Managing Central Overloads

• The managed team (blue) to play through central areas by creating central overloads with #GK/DM #3 #8 #10 #9 and #7 - full back rotates high allowing the winger to tuck inside.
• The blue GK/DM is now allowed outside the "hallway line D" and is to act as a pivot when in possession and the blue#3 (opposite side fullback as shown above) needs to provide balance centrally and also act as a pivot when in possession.  (both players are not allowed to advance higher than the ball)
• The blue #9 and #7 to start in between CB & FB (red #6&3 in example above). Opposite side forward to come centrally (#9 in example above)
• Creative combinations to combine centrally to score
• Threaten the backline with runs in beyond 
• Rotation of positions to disrupt defenders and cause confusing and space

SOLUTION:

• The focus team (red) defensive line needs to be 5 yards above the edge of the "D" (marked out with flat markers) and the width of the18 yard box
• The red team GK starting position needs to be around the penalty spot
• The red team midfield (#8, 4 & 10) need to make play predictable and force play one way. They must be patient and protect central areas.
• The red #10 (as shown in the picture) needs to show the ball wide by pressing the blue #GK/DM on their inside shoulder whilst screening the blue #10 forcing the full back to play to the full back (#2). When the ball is passed wide the red #4 needs to protect the passing lane into the blue #7.
• The red #8 needs to shuffle across and mark the inside shoulder of blue #8, protecting passes into the blue #9 & 
• The red #10 needs to be in the position to protect the switch of play. Leaving the blue #3 & #11
• As the ball is travelling, the red #3 must press the blue #7s outside shoulder, forcing play backwards 
• The red #6 must track the run of the blue #7 protecting the goal and show away from the goal.  
• The red #5 must mark the blue #9 and the red #2 must provide cover to the red #5 by being in between the GK and back post

WHAT IF’S:

• The CM (blue #8 or #10) drops to receive the ball? If the blue #8 or drops to collect, the red #8 must protect passes into the #9 and make play predictable by pressing the inside shoulder to show the blue #8 into defensive bodies cutting off the pitch and forcing play backwards or sideways. The red #4 must protect passes into the #7 and press blue #10 on inside shoulder. Red #10 to start on outside shoulder of blue #10. Red #3 to be more aggressive and press outside shoulder of blue #2 forcing play backwards. Red #6 to mark blue #7, ready to cover the #3 if beat. Red #5 to mark the blue #9 and red #2 to provide cover (in between GK and back post)
• The blue team switch play/quickly? Shuffle across quickly, protect central areas, defend the width of the 18 yard box, closest player goes towards the ball, pick up the closest player to you. leave the furthest player(s) away from the ball

• Play over defensive line? No pressure on the ball the backline might retreat to 18 yard box. high GK line to sweep up any balls over the top