Football/Soccer Session (Advanced): Defending on the transition

FUNCTION: ORGANISATION/SET UP (15 mins)

FUNCTION: 30 MINS (2X15 MIN BLOCKS)

In the 11v11 game both teams will be playing a 4-4-2 formation

* I will coach the yellow team who are set up for the function with GK > back 3 (2 x CH's + RFB) > defensive screen + 4 players in central midfield zone.

* Red team have 2 strikers + wide right player + 5 players in central midfield zone

Pitch size

For the purpose of the function the left channel is not active.

* length = goal line to edge of centre circle in opposite half (70) with width for function edge of 18 yd box to left touch line.

* 20 x 20 midfield zone marked out around centre circle

* 20 balls with yellow team GK

* full size goal for yellow team to defend & small goal for yellow team to score in

Set up

* play always starts from the yellow team GK who throws out to yellow defender/midfielder to start play who have a 4v2 in defensive 1/3 (if yellow team struggle to play out against the 2 red attackers then add stipulation that red attackers are innactive to allow phase of play to begin).

* yellow teams aim is to try and play through midfield zone with 4v5 and score in mini goal.

* red team have an overload in midfield zone to set the scene for a turn over and allow me to coach the yellow team defensively on transition.

* if red team win possession then 2 red midfield players + wide player break quickly with a 5v4 offensive overload in final 1/3

* red team have 15 seconds on transition to create a goal scoring opportunity and if yellow team win back possession they have 10 seconds to try and score in mini goal.

* play will restart from yellow team GK after time limits or if ball goes out of play.

COACHING STYLE

* Q&A > guided discovery

Main Objective

* coach the yellow team on the defensive principles on transition by looking at relationships between the individual > unit > team.

Problem 1/solution

Problem

* on transition the yellow No 5 keeps pressing the red No 11 too early as he receives the ball and leaves his unit 2v2 in final 1/3 > the yellow deep lying midfielder is also vacating his slot as he is dragged out by attacking red midfield player with no screen in zone 14.

Solution to problem

* Use a guided discovery style and ask the yellow team what is important on transition and where are we vulnerable > encourage defenders not to leave unit and engage advancing player too early as this leaves passing lines & space for for attacking players to run or be passed into.

* when the yellow No 5 does leave his unit to press he should arc his run to block passing line and show winger into wide areas.

* yellow midfield screen should stay narrow and compact and encourage advancing red 11 to play in front and wide if he steps in off line

both of these actions are designed to delay the opposition attack and buy time for team mates to recover back into position and fill slots.

* The Yellow No 2 should also step across on inside shoulder of striker as yellow No 5 engages player on transition.

* The transition + the initial movement from the yellow No 5 should act as a catalyst for his unit and then his team to protect the heart/goal and recover into a narrow & compact shape with the only space on the opposite side of the pitch

PROTECT THE HEART

SSG: 8v8 (30 mins)

Organisation/set up: 30 mins (6x5 min games)

* The yellow team i am coaching are set up in a 2-2-4 + GK formation with the red team set up in 2-4-2 formation with GK

pitch size

* 75 x full width with length split into 1/3rds 25/25/25 marked with flat markers.

* 20 balls at with yellow team GK

Set up

* play starts with yellow team GK who kicks directly into final 1/3 where yellows have 4 v 2 overload > yellows aim is to try and win 1st ball and score a goal.

* If red team win possession or GK collects ball then a quick transition creates a midfield overload 4v2 with red team encouraged to break at pace through the 1/3rds with a 15 second time limit to try and score.

* objective is to see how quickly the yellow team can recover from an attacking 2-2-4 to a defensive 4-3-1 formation and prevent the red team scoring in 15 second transition.

games 1-3 are with above set up and games 4-6 are open play and non zonal.

Keypoints

*emphasise and reinforce the main coaching points from the function and encourage teams to discuss in-between games to find solutions to problems which arise.

* a key defensive principle throughout the club is how quickly we can recover to a narrow & compact shape on transition. We call the recovery phase NEGATIVE running and coach our players that any player can fill a slot to regain shape untill the attacking threat is over.

* It is important that individuals/unit/units move in relation to ball and that we anticipate danger and not react after the event.