Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U16 Session 13 : Defending in 2 x 4 Man Blocks - Mid Block (Wales U15 Girls) (Start Time: 2017-08-06 10:50:00)

Defending in Pairs - Defensive Organisation

Organisation

Create area as above using pitch geography to add realism.

8 Players required, split into 4 pairs.

Red players to remain within middle area only.

Yellow and Blue Players to remain within their areas.

Green players to play outside the middle area.

Instructions

Play in blocks of 2 mins - rotate pairs.

Passing below waist height to begin.

Blue and yellow players seek to pass the ball to each other avoinding the red players in the middle and using the green players in order to play around the red middle players. Key aim for yellow and blue players is to try to split the red players.

Manage the opposition - High tempo required. Quick accurate passing. If passing slows, it allows the red players to retain their shape more easily. Short passes mean that the red players don't have to move too much. Aim is for the yellow and blue players to move the ball quickly over distance so that the red players are forced to move - gaps will then appear and split passes can be made. Support from behind to create passing lines - play off the screens shoulders. One touch if possible.

Progressions

1. Green players can only pass backwards

2. Allow a lob from yellow to blue players - but - red playerrs are then able to leave their zone and press yellow and blue players if appropriate eg. poor pass/miscontrol - good decision making required.

3. 2 touch only.

4. Introduce scoring - 4 points to middle pair if they gain possession or force the ball out of the area. 3 points for a split pass. 1 point for any other pass.

Coaching Points

Red players seek to block passing lines and press the green players to force them to play back rather than forward.

Press and recover.

Marking distances.

Discipline.

Compact.

Communication.

Intensity (forfeits)

Red players to be coached.

Phase of Play

Organisation

Split players into two teams - 10 x Red and 11 Blue.

Red team to be coached.

Place two pole goals as illustrated.

Red team to be set up as above when out of possession.

Play to restart from Blue GK.

Instructions

When out of possession, Red team must set up as above.

The pressing line is indicated by the blue line.

When opposition are in front of the blue line, there is no need to press. However, if the blue team switch play from side to side, all units in Red team must shuffle over.

If red team obtain possession, they have 10 secs to score.

Blue team must pass or dribble through the coned goals.

Effect 9 & 10: Try to remain within the width of the penalty area - seeking to cut off pass lines behind. Press as opposition cross pressing line. Can press before - if appropriate - eg. poor pass from opposition/poor control - good decision making.

Effect Midfield line (6,8,7 & 11): Must shuffle. Key job is to block passing lines and press the opposition if they break the pressing line. If ball is played wide by the blue team, 7 or 11 are charged with engaging the opposition in possession. Trigger? As the player looks up to make the pass. Remaining players must shuffle and remain compact. Good distance between players in the unit and between the units. Use pitch geography - mifield line initially in line with centre line. Defensive line in line with south edge of D. 9 & 10 in line with north edge of D.

Effect Defensive line: Play as a Unit - all players working together as one. Hold the line. Use of one word commands as necessary. Keep distance between players in the unit compact, and distance between units appropriate. If defensive line drop, midfield line must drop also to retain good distance otherwiser gaps will appear.

What if..Blue team attack down the Wing?

What if Blue Team Attack down the Wing?

Effect LMF: Close down as quickly as possible and try to force play backwards. Touch tight. Where should he show? down the line or inside? Depends on how quickly the midfield line shuffle - if there's an extra red player inside, show him inside - if not - show outside.

Effect No.9: Screen pass to Blue RMF. Close enough to support Red LMF if need be and threaten pass across pitch.

Effect No. 10: Not too far away from No.9. Avoid being on the same line as No.10. Goalside/Pitchside Blue CMF. No need to position to threaten pass to Blue CB - beyond the pressing line.

Effect No. 6,8&11 - shuffle across - screen pass to remaining blue players and provide support. Keep checking shoulders. Retain midfield line. Red RMF - in line with penalty spots.

Effect LB: goalside and ballside, ready to intercept any pass from Blue LB and close enough to close down Blue wing should the LB be able to pass the ball to him.

Effect CB's: Shuffle over - maintain defensive line. Good communication - use of one word commands.

Effect RB - shuffle over in line with penalty spots. Dog leg.

Effect GK - good communication. Positioned ready to threaten any ball over the defensive line.

What if possession is gained by the Red team? Seek to counter at speed in a 3-5-1 - Red 6 dropping back in front of the 2 CB's. Red 8 pushing up to join LMF & RMF togetehr with LB and RB in 5 man MF - No.9 as CF. Can we move the ball wide as quickly as possible?