Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Specific session 3 - Defensive line - protect space in behind - out of possession

Block 1 - 6 mins

Defensive line - dropping together and getting tight together - out of possession 

six blocks of 2 minutes with 1 minute rest.

Players to be put in correct positions at start of drill. I.e. cone 1 (blue) left wingers, 2 and 3 (blue) CM's / strikers, cone 4 (blue) right wingers. Red cones - back four.

Block 1  - Back four vs attackers

• Four defenders line up on four red cones. When coach shouts go or blows whistle defenders must drop together until they reach yellow cones, getting tighter together while dropping. As defenders drop the attackers (blue) will dribble a ball each slowly towards reds. 
• As reds reach yellow cones coach will shout a number (1,2,3 or 4). Whatever number coach calls that attacker must attack defence and try to score, the defenders must adjust to ball position accordingly. 
• Attackers who are not called turn around and dribble back to starting position. 
• For this part of practice coach may also shout for a cross from either 1 or 4 - the defenders need to react and defend cross into box.
• Defenders can score by winning ball back and scoring in either one of the mini goals at the end of the pitch.
• Countdown of 10 seconds for defenders to score when they win back the ball.

• Coach to call more than 1 number for players to attack i.e. 1 and 2 or 2 and 3. First number called runs with ball, while the other numbers pass balls backwards or eave them where they are. 
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• Progress as drill goes on until end up with four attackers vs four defenders. 

Coaching points

• Angle / speed of press
• Show outside / force wide
• Protect space in behind
• Leave the furthest man
• Body shape when defending 

Block 3 - 6 mins

Block 3 - 4 defenders + 2 DCM vs 4 or 5 attackers + 1 striker - attacking overload

• For this drill attackers can attack on coach's first call, i.e. if coach calls 2, attacker 2 runs with ball and all of the other attackers join in with the attack. Defenders and 2 DCM's must react - drop or hold. 
• Attackers can get 2 goals if they score from a pass into the striker. 
• Defenders can score by winning ball back, finding one of the DCM's with a pass who then needs to pass into either one of the mini goals at the end of the pitch.
• Countdown of 10 seconds for defenders to score when they win back the ball.

Coaching points

• Angle / speed of press
• Show outside / force wide
• Protect space in behind
• Leave the furthest man
• Body shape when defending