Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending the final third

Screen 1

Area Size: Half pitch and full width  

Explanation: How this drill will work is it will be a 11v9. The blues will always start with the ball and there job to build play up and then try and score. Reds will be trying to defend and then when they win the ball back they will have 10 seconds to try and score by either scoring in the mini goal or by playing it back to the target player. 

Players will work for 5x5 minute blocks with a minute rest in-between. 

Problem 1: The first problem I want to the blues to set for the reds is being able to play through. I want all players in the reds within the width of the 18 yard box. The two centre backs just inside the six yard line and the full backs to drop into the half space. The two number 6's I want to cover the centre space and the half space but be within 3 or 4 yards of the closest ten so if it goes to them then they can go and press. For the wingers I want the to drop in and cover the half space and be ready to go across and win the ball if it goes to full back. The number 10 needs to cover the space in the middle and try and screen the pass to the blue striker. The striker I want to press and force the direction of the play when it goes to the blue number 6, The to screen the pass back to the blue number 6

What if the blues are able to play it through to the striker. If this happens I Want the closest centre back to go and press and don't allow them to turn, The closest number 6 to press and the rest of the defensive unit to shuffle across to protect the middle. 

Problem 2: The second problem I want to the blues to set for the reds is being able to play wide. If the ball gets played to the full back then that will be trigger for the closest winger to go and press the full back. I want them to press and angle and force it down the line and the full back can try and take it off the winger. In this situation I want to see the striker screen the pass back to the blue number 6.  The number 10 needs to shuffle across and then try and screen the closest blue 10. For the number 6 that is closest they drop into the half space to cover the space and the opposite number 6 then I want them to cover the centre and screen the pass to the striker. Opposite winger must must shuffle inwards to make the space compact and get tight to closest blue 10. 

If the ball gets played to the winger, then the full back must go and press the winger, then the centre back must shuffle around to the edge of the box and then other one must cover the centre and the opposite full back must  be in line the the far post. This needs to happen even if it goes out wide to the full back. 

What if the full back over laps the winger if this happens I want the closest winger to track back and cover the run to full back being isolated.