Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Defending in a Low Block - 1-4-2-3-1 v 1-4-2-3-1

Organisation

ORGANISATION

- Blue team set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation (Keeper as a server)

- Red team set up in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation

- I will be coaching the RED Team

- Blue GK begins play into CB

- C (Me) will take up a position inside the area, which is full width and has balls spread around the outside also for quick restarts.

The session will focus on the Red Team defending the main goal and the Blue Team causing problems.

Blue Team - the session becomes active when the coach plays the ball to the Blue CB, they are looking for entries into the final 1/3 to score a goal by encouraging to play through,around or over the Red Team.

Red Team - defend as a team in a Low Block, must score within 8 passes,this will encourage them to leave their positions leaving space for the Blues in transition.

Problem 2/Solution 2

Problem 2

- Red Team defend narrow, Blues are looking to play through central areas but make the play predictable so have to go wide.

This causes a problem for the Reds as Red No.7,Red No.6,Red No.4 and Red No.2 will get pulled out of their positions and remainder of the red team need to narrow up, leaving the Blue No.2 and Blue No.7.

Solution

- As before the Red No.9 stands in line with the Centre Spot inside the arc of the Centre Circle, in this image the ball has been played to the LCB then to the LB, the Red No.9 uses the edge of the Centre Circle as a reference and will stay central, will not chase the ball.

- No.10 in between the CMs indicated in the shaded area, if the ball is with the left side CM his body position must be correct in order not to allow switch.

- Red No.7 and Red No.11 are narrow, 5 yards in from the 18 yard line, making sure the Blue No.7 and Blue No.11 are both on their outside shoulders.

- Red CBs and No.6 No.8 stay in contact and don't get dragged out of position,pass on effective communication to players around them.

What if - the Blue No.7/Blue No.11 roll inside and create space in between lines for the fullback out wide (this gives the Red fullbacks a problem whether they go with their winger or hold)

- To stop a potential switch of play, if the ball is with the LCB or LCM and the Blue No.7 rolls inside, I would encourage the Red left back to hold his ground and allow the Blue No.7 to roll onto the LCB, the 2 CBs are occupied now with the No.9 and No.7 of the blues with the Red No.2 narrowed up also with the Blue No.11 on his outside shoulder, this stops the Blues playing over the Low Block.

11v11

11v11

- Intervene and go through coaching process if need be.

- Balls around the outside for quick restarts

- Coach the Red Team in defending in the midfield block, when they win the ball they must score or have an attempt at goal within 12 passes,instructed at the start.

- If they cannot win the ball back in transition within 7 seconds they must fall into the low block

What if - distances between Red No.9 and No.10 are too big, allowing CBs to create 2v1 and CMs to create 2v1.

- Restarts for the Blues - Red No.9 and Red No.10 stay central and retreat into low,narrow block, reference point is middle of the pitch (edge of the centre circle for Red No.9) and both players to stay within the width of the 18 yard box forcing the Blues to play around the defensive shape and go wide into full backs and thus not playing through.

What if - Reds defend central areas successfully but fullbacks of Blues manage to get safe possession out wide due to positioning of Red No.7/Red No.11 after playing out wide from low block.

- The Red Fullbacks engage their opposite full backs with the No.6/No.8 applying cover to the vacated fullback position,the recovery run of th Red No.7/No.11 is that vacated of the CM.