Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U14 Session 2 : Drill - Defending with a Back 4 - Use of One Word Commands

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Paul Inns, Adult Member

Profile Summary

Name:	Paul Inns
City:	Newtown
Country:	United Kingdom
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Initial Set Up

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Initial Set Up (10 mins)

Organisation

Create 3 lines on the pitch, approximately 10 yards apart, with the final line only 5 yards from the half way line. Place all players on Line 2 to begin.

Aim

Introduction to One Word Commands;

At intervals, Coach shouts out one of the one word command and players react accordingly:

UP 10 - Advance 10 yards

UP 5 - Players advance 5 yards

OUT 10 - Players sprint out 10 yards to the next line

OUT 20 - Players sprint out 20 yards

HOLD - Players retain their positions

SLIDE LEFT - Players move left with furthest player in line with goal post

SLIDE Right - Players move right etc

DROP - Players move backwards 10 yards

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Drill

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Drill (5 mins)

Drill - Defending with a Back 4 - Use of One Word Commands

Organisation

Use half a pitch. Place cones midway between penalty area and half way line as a guide - infield cones should be in line with the edge of the penalty area and penalty spot.

Place players into two teams - 6 white (GK - 4-1) and 3 blue together with blue server.

Aim

White CB's to become accustommed to use of one word commands:

UP (advance 10 yards)

OUT (sprint out, potentially many yards)

HOLD

SLIDE

DROP (10 yards)

Drill allows defensive unit to practice when to drop, when to hold the line and when to press up as a unit.

Instructions

Initial overload of defenders should provide a better chance of success.

Back 4 should try not to drop behind the line of cones.

Remember to keep compact shape - all within width of the penalty area.

If the attack comes down either wing, unit must slide across with the furthest defender being in line with the far post.

Avoid using 'Press' as has another meaning - player closing down opponent.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): When to Drop?

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When to Drop? (5 mins)

When to Drop?

Attackers have the ball - and are making deep penetrating runs in front of the ball - no (or very little) pressure on the ball. Back 4 should drop off as the attacker has freedom to pass forward and can read the timing of when and where to do it based on the back 4's position. UNLESS the back 4 are so together and in tune that they can push up the moment before the ball is played - but very risky!

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): When to Hold the Line/Press Up?

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When to Hold the Line/Press Up? (5 mins)

When to Hold the line or Press Up?

A. Attackers have the ball BUT good pressure being exerted by a teammate (even if penetrating runs) HOLD OR PRESS

B. Attacker has the ball BUT no teammate is pressing BUT no penetrating runs either HOLD OR PRESS

C. Attackers have the ball BUT no pressure BUT attacker has his head down HOLD OR PRESS

D. If attackers pass the ball backwards - PRESS

E. We win possession and play the ball forward PRESS OR OUT

How far do we press up if the attcakers pass backwards?

Depends on the distance of the ball from the back 4 and the immediate pressure on the next player receiving the back pass. It could be a substantial step up from the back and could leave the attackers offside.

What if there's doubt as to whether to DROP or HOLD? If in doubt, always drop to be on the safe side.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Function

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Function (10 mins)

Function

Organisation

As for the drill but place two mini goals 10 yards into attackers half:

On the white team, introduce a further MF player (8) [now 7 white players].

On the blue team, introduce a CF [now 4 players].

Play starts from the Blue server each time.

Aim

If the white team gain possession, can they score into either mini goal within 5 passes.

The Blue team must simply try to score.

Offside rule applies when the blue team are attacking.

Instructions

White defence must work as a unit. CB's responsible for one word commands - UP; OUT; HOLD; SLIDE; DROP

White 6 & 8 must try to play in front of the Back 4 - centrally - within width of the penalty area - seeking to close the blue attackers down.

Can the Blue CF play directly on the back 4 - trying to remain on side.

Can the Defence avoid dropping behind the cones?

Coaching Points:

a. Is there pressure on the ball or not?

If not, and there are penetrating runs or a danger of a pass over the top, DROP.

If not, and there are no penetrating runs or risk of a ball over the top, or the attacker in

possession isn't looking up - HOLD or UP. If there is good pressure on the ball, HOLD or

UP.

b. The timing of when to drop, when to hold the line and when to step up, individually and collectively, and depending on the situation above.

c. Regaining possession - who regains possession? 6 or 8? if then attacking - UP or OUT; If defence get the ball - depends on what the defenders do with it? Long ball - OUT; short pass forward - UP ; square ball - HOLD

d. opponents caught offside - how do we signal - hand raised and shout BUT play the whistle!

e. A sign that they are being successful is when the Back 4 ends up high up the field, away from the cones, even though the attackers still have the ball.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): MDG

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MDG (10 mins)

Organisation

Split players into 3 teams of 4 players (or 5 players if sufficient numbers, with the extra player taking on the role of defending midfielder).

Create a pitch 70 x 40 yds. Mark centre line.

Offside rule applicable.

Aim

Play begins with the yellow team, who aim to attack the white goal. Team defending far goal to be coached. Defensive team to be encouraged to make use of one word commands and retain their unit shape. Once the Yellow team have scored or lost possession, they change places with the white team. White team now attack the blue goal, with blue team acting as defenders. Yellow team await an attack from blue team.

Coaching Points

Use of one word commands

Defence operating as a unit - all reacting together and maintaining a defensive line

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Function - What if the Attack is down the wing?

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Function - What if the Attack is down the wing? (10 mins)

If the ball is played onto the wing, Defensive unti should shufffle over to defend - dog leg. Avoid White 8 or 6 going too wide. They can provide cover support instead as above - looking for the interception or - if White 2 should be beaten, and Whiter 4 covers instead - can White 8 drop to help the defensive line until White 2 recovers and White 8 can sit in front of the Back 4 again?