Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U14 Session 3 : SSG - Defending with a Back 4

SSG (20 mins)

SSG

Organisation

Split players into two teams - 10 white and 9 blue.

White team to be coached.

White to play in a 4-2-3 formation; Blue team to play in a 3-3-2 formation.

Create an area 70 x 50 yards.

Aim

Blue team are instructed to try to score.

Play commences from Blue GK each time.

White team are conditioned that once they obtain possession they have 10 seconds in which time to try to score, failing which possession will revert to white GK.

Coaching Points

Communication is key. Who takes control? CB's? Move up the pitch as a unit when attacking, to reduce space and force attackers away from goal.

Don't stray too far from each other - try to remain compact, thus restricting opportunities for balls/runs to be played/made behind. Rough guide - defence to remain as compact as the 18 yard box is wide. No more than 6 yards between each other. Shuffle over as a unit as the play is switched from one side to the other.

Adopt the correct body position when defending one on one - try to dictate to the Attcaker which eway you want him to go - inside or outside?

White 6 & 8 need to work with the Defence to close down passing lines and watch runners. Or provide support in place of white 2 & 3 if they press a WMF - can they take White 2 & 3 place until White 2 or 3 is able to recover?

What if a Blue player in possession moves across the pitch? Defenders pass him on? A quasi zonal defence?

Don't forget to effect the white GK - GK can act as a sweeper when Whites are attacking. Can also provide instructions to White players when they are defending.

SSG- Coaching Points

Coachning Points

What if Blue team switch play to other side of pitch?

White 3 to press WMF. Trigger? As soon as the ball is played. Is there the prospect of an interception? White 4 & 5 to shuffle over, remaining compact. White 2 to drop back and slide inside, but to take a higher line than White 4 & 5 (Dog leg), level with the post furthest from the ball.

White 6 to move towards WMF to threaten passing line to Blue CMF and Blue CF. White 8 to shuffle inside also, to provide cover on Blue CMF.

Do defenders show outside or inside? Is there cover on the inside? if so, show inside. White 2 could show Blue WMF inside if White 4 is in a position to provide adequate cover.

Defenders - ballside or not? Always goalside, ballside depending on position - may be better the defender to place himself between the player and the goal if in a danger area in front of the goal. Otherwise, placing ballside means that there is greater chance of intercepting the ball.

Should 6 & 8 go wide to defend?

Should 6 & 8 go Wide to Defend?

No - principal role is to protect Zone 14 - if the ball goes wide and a defender is out of position - pass the job onto a CB and drop to cover the CB role instead until the defender recovers.