Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending in the final third as a 4-3-3

component1 (20 mins)

Set Up:2 reg goals, cones marking 2 times 18 yard box,balls ,2 poles,marking half,16 players.

Instructions:Taking turns defending and attacking,one team fires the ball on the diagonal and continues on to defend the attacking player who trys to score must be over half,if the defender wins it he can score in the other goal,20 sec max limit.progession to 2 v 2

Key Factors:Defending Principals:Deny,Delay,Cover,Balance,Compactness

Coaching Points:emphasise getting out and closing the space on a curved run closing one side towards the sideline making him predictable,slowing down on approach,getting low spring loading the legs,light on feet and constant moving of feet,to be able to adjust to the attackers movements,eyes on the ball ,having patience, its not about winning the ball but keeping it in front and waiting for your oppertunity to use your body to squeeze him off it.

Progression:2v2 ,communication whos on ball,same as 1v1 closing space etc,second defender dropping in with depth to prevent any type of through ball in behind,second defender communicating where he is for support i.e show him inside,second defender must have good angles and distance of cover support and be able to cover if 1st defender gets beat and also be able to adjust as the ball moves across to second attacker,with the first defender now making his recovery run to be the second defender.

Phase of play (20 mins)

Set Up:field just over half,1 reg goal,2 small target goals,2 flags at half,two 5 by 10 coned off area.balls by target goals

Instructions:

Phase of play 8v8 ,blue 4-3 reds 2-3-3,reds playing towards regular goal looking to score ,blues looking to defend,if blue win possession look to score in the target goals,must be over half,all restarts from coned off area ball must be switched to the other grid.

Key Factors:

Defending Principals:Deny,Delay,Cover,Balance,Compactness

back 4 must stay connected when defending no big gaps,they also must stay connected with the mid 3 when there is pressure on the ball or negative pass compress up the field,when there is no pressure on the ball and a forward threat ,the back 4 must drop and compact ,no pressure on ball no forward threat hold the line and see what develops,if the attacking team are able to get in between the lines and are going at the back 4 close to goal,nearest player must pressure and other defenders funnel in behind.looking to block or win it on the tackle or cover,having balance and being aware of players coming in from wide positions.