Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending from the front, Half Pitch Practice

Set Up

Set Up

Defending from the front

9vs8

Reds - 4-3-3, (4-3-1,minus the wide front two players)

Blues - 4-2-3-1, (2-2-3-1, minus the two FB's)

Rules

Reds (managed team)

- Unlimited touches and passes.

- Trying to play out and score into the two end mini goals.

- Ball starts with the GK to start with.

Blues (coached team)

- Close down reds to win the ball back.

- Score in the large goal within 10secs.

Progressions

- Ball starts with a Goal Kick but after 10mins, change the ball starting position so that the ball is in the GK's hands from a through ball from one of the blues FB's.

- Reds must play through the thirds to start but after 20mins they can play anywhere, so more direct if they want.

Key Coaching Points

- Force the play one way.

- Stop the switch of play.

- Recognise our triggers when to press.

- Close down to win the ball back.

- Don't dive in and sell yourself.

Problem 1 - Switch of play

Scenario's

Blues have to stop the switch of play.

Reds get two points for switching play then scoring.

Problem 1

1. - What happens if they switch the play?

Solution

- My 7 will get across the pitch quickly to close their left FB down and force play backwards.

- My 10 will then engage their left CB and close down.

- My 9 will shift across and take up a good position to either close down the keeper if need be or try stop the pass into their deep lying midfielder.

- My 11 will get across the pitch, leave the opposite fullback and get onto the back of the deep lying midfielder to stop play through him and stop the switch again.

- My 4 and 8 will lock on man for man with their two attacking CM's.

- My 5 and 6 will deal with their CF which ever side he takes up.

What If

- If the Red FB gets past my 7 and out then my 8 can engage and delay the play and allow our team to get back into our P.O.S. (Position Of Strength)

- My 5 will come across and deal with their CF like he would from a break from a corner or counter attack.

- The rest of the team would work to get goal side of the ball, force play backwards and start our press again from an organised shape. Wait for our triggers again.

Solution 2

Solution

- My main focus here is to delay play and force play backwards. My midfield movement is important here.

- So once the ball goes past/over my number 11, his first reaction is to get back into a defensive shape and behind the ball if possible.

- My number 4 will be the player to put immediate pressure on the red player. When he does my number 10 will drop back in to pick up their attacking midfielder, if the distance is too far then my number 8 will come across and pick him up instead.

- My number 9 and number 7 will drop back in and pick up their deep midfield player and CB.

- My number 5 and number 6 will shift across the pitch with the number 6 picking up their striker.

Once we have forced play backwards then we will get into our P.O.S. (Position of Strength) behind the ball and wait for our triggers to press.