Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Defending Fast Counter Attacks (Start Time: 2018-11-04 14:20:00)

SSG (30 mins)

Time: 20-30 Minutes

Organisation:

-Set up a pitch of 60x40 split into 3 even zones.

-Place a goal at each end with 2 small goals on the edge of zone 3 and 2.

-Split players into 2 teams of 8.

-Red 4-2-1

-Blue 1-3-3 (Mirror Carmarthen).

-Players placed as indicated into the 3 zones.

Exercise:

-MC red passes (1) ball to blue CB (2).

-Blue CB then plays a long pass into zone 1 for blue attackers (3) to run onto.

-Blue team then pushes up into zone 2 and 1 to apply pressure.

-The red defenders (4) aim to win possession and counter attack and can score in all three goals.

-If GK collects start counter attack from him.

-Play will carry on until a score or ball out of play.

-If blue GK gains possession play sets from start and GK looks to play long ball into zone 1.

Key Points:

-Enusre a MC drops in to win any knock downs off defenders.

-When in possession FB make wide angles to get onto the ball and MC move off at angles into space.

-Red team have 30 seconds to get an attempt on any of the goals.

Progressions and Changes:

-This exercise can be changed and adapted for a full size pitch if wish to work it with 11v11 and also a 3/4 pitch of 9v9.

-If changes to 11v11 have the red defence to have their starting point up near the halfway line or 5 yards inside. Place flat markers for their starting point as you would want defensive line to to start.

Key Notes:

-Remember that the session is based aroun red team losing possession to potentially be open to a counter attack so condition defenders not to move defensively until blue defender gains possession on the first play.