Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending Final Third

Final Third (Out of Possession)

Organisation:

Area size is 60 x full pitch width. 6 vs 5 with the 5 (red team) having a goalkeeper as one of their players. The red team have a back four and a holding midfielder and an two central midfielders. The blue team have a front two and three midfielders with one of them playing as an attacking midfielder and two center backs. The coach is working with the red team. 

Use of Challenges, Conditions and Targets:

The blue team start with the ball with the back two every time. They must play out from the back trying to build up possession to have shots on goal. They must score in the opposite goal of the red team. The reds target is to keep the shape at the back and encourage the blue team to take shots from further away from the goal (Increase confidence for GK)

Key points:

In possession:

Break the lines (Through and around)

Recycle the ball

Fill Spaces 

Attempt to drag defenders out of position

Out of possession: 

Narrow and compact shape

Do not put pressure on unless in the box

Distances between defensive back 4 

Body shape of defensive players 

Importance of 6 - screening balls into strikers