Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): DEFENDING - STAYING COMPACT AND NOT GETTING PLAYED THROUGH
Dandenong City FC
Elyas Baeini
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
5. Basic Situation (15 mins)
Practice Objective:
- Improve players ability to remain connected and block lines forward
Practice Explanation:
- Attacking team circulates possession until they can find a moment to play through and score in the mini goals
- Players are locked in their vertical channels
- Halfway acts as a line of engagement, 1 defender can step beyond LOE
Progressions:
- Attacking team can move anywhere across the vertical channels
- Attacking team can receive beyond the defenders
Coaching Points:
- 1st Def Dominate the Opponent:
-- Position yourself between the opponent and the goal
-- Dictate the direction the opponent can play: away from space, towards cover, to limit their quality
-- Adjust our distances of pressure to mean we can win the ball/ don't get beat
- 2nd Defender Dominate Space:
-- Provide immediate cover to the space behind 1st Defender
-- Ensure distances are compact and players are positioned to protect space/ goals
3*(3'/1')=15
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
2. Directional Practice (15 mins)
Setup:
- Area: 4 x 5m zones, creating a 20m-long grid.
- Teams: 2 teams positioned in 3 lines.
- Goals: 2 mini-goals or one main goal with a goalkeeper at each end.
- Coach: Positioned on the outside with additional footballs for restarts.
Practice Explanation:
The ball is served into the restart zone for one of the teams. The team in possession is tasked with moving the ball through the opposition, advancing it to the next zone. The objective is to successfully reach the end zone, where the two forwards are positioned to score with a one-touch finish. One forward will set back to allow the other to finish.
The defending team’s responsibility is to screen passing lanes, block channels, and intercept passes to regain possession. Once possession is won, they aim to transition the ball to the other direction.
Passing in the zones is unopposed. Defenders can move to close space but are not permitted to tackle until the progression phase.
Progression:
- Once the attacking team breaks the line to the forwards, a defender is allowed to recover into the end zone to attempt to prevent a goal. If the defender wins the ball, they may attempt to pass it back to teammates in the next line.
- Attacking players can drop into the defensive line to receive the ball and initiate forward play.
- Players in the main defensive line can choose either to challenge for the ball in the line or hold their position.
Variation:
- Play as an 8v8 possession game without goalkeepers.
Teaching Points:
- For Defenders:
- Nearest defenders should press the player in possession, aiming to force an error or make the play predictable for the second defender.
- Focus on forcing the ball wide and towards the outside of the pitch.
- Perform a defensive triangle centrally, ensuring the defense is always balanced.
- Maintain awareness of distances between teammates to effectively shut down passing lanes.
- Close down narrow passing lanes and adjust positioning accordingly.
- Use shoulder checks when the ball is being transferred or switched to stay aware of threats.
- React as a cohesive defensive unit, shifting and shuffling in line as the ball moves across zones.
- Emphasize the principles of press, cover, and balance to maintain a compact and organized defense.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
Screen 4
Objective:
The game begins with the attacking team in possession. Their primary objective is to score in the large goal. A regular goal scored in open play counts as 1 point.
However, if the attacking team successfully plays a penetrating pass through the defensive back four, followed by a cut-back and finish, the goal is worth 5 points. This rewards well-timed movement, precise passing, and combination play in dangerous areas.
If the defending team regains possession, they transition quickly and attempt to score in the mini goals, encouraging fast counter-attacks and smart decision-making under pressure.
Coaching Points – Defending Team
Stay Compact:
Maintain tight spacing between the lines and within the back four. Limit gaps between defenders to deny the attacking team space to penetrate.Prevent Penetration:
Focus on cutting out passing lanes and reading the play early to intercept through balls. The priority is to avoid getting split by a central pass that leads to the high-value 5-point opportunity.Maintain Shape and Discipline:
Stay organized and connected across the defensive unit. If one defender steps, the others must adjust accordingly to maintain balance and coverage.Communication:
Constant communication between defenders and midfielders is essential to ensure awareness of runners, shifting pressure, and passing off marks.Transition Quickly:
Upon winning the ball, make quick and intelligent decisions. Look to exploit space and score in the mini goals with precision and purpose.Pressure on the Ball:
Apply immediate and coordinated pressure to the ball carrier to reduce their time and options, especially in dangerous central areas.Defensive Midfield Support:
Ensure the defensive midfielders are screening passes into the front line and supporting the back four effectively.
This game format is ideal for emphasizing defensive organization, discipline under pressure, and effective counter-attacking play.
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Screen 1
Basic warm up set up by the coach
Equipment - 10 cones