Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending wide areas

Defending wide areas 1v1/2v1/2v220 mins

Topic

• Defending in wide areas

Principle

• 1v1/2v1/2v2 defending

Time

• 4 x 5-minute blocks

Players

• 14, including 2 goalkeepers

Space/equipment

• 70m x 40m/Balls, bibs, flat markers, 2 mini-goals and 1 goal

Description

• On the full width of a pitch, players have to defend wide areas in 1v1, 2v1 and 2v2 situations. Lots of repetitions place stress on the defenders, who aim to stop crosses into the penalty area.
• A resting defender (Player A) plays the ball to an attacker (Player B) to attack. Player B then attacks towards goal and takes on Player C in a 1v1, aiming to enter the end zone and either beat Player C and shoot, or pass/cross to an unopposed teammate (Player D).
• If the defender (Player C) wins the ball, their aim is to secure possession in transition by playing to a resting defender (Player A) or into one of the mini-goals at the far end of each wide channel.
• When the ball is dead, the working defender (Player C) rotates with the resting defender (Player A). The attacker in the 1v1 (Player B) becomes the forward awaiting the next cross. The forward (Player D) moves to be an attacker in the wide area in the opposite wide channel – where Player E is shown in the animation.
• If the defender prevents a cross from reaching Player D, a resting goalkeeper can play a pass to Player D, who tries to score with a first-time finish.
• Play for four blocks of five minutes, alternating the teams between blocks.

Progressions

• Progress the practice in the third block so the serving defender (Player A) is allowed to recover to create a 2v1 defensive overload. That recovering defender then becomes the individual defender when the ball is dead.
• Progress again by adding another attacker to turn it into a 2v2 situation.

Coaching points

• Defending 1v1: The single defender should sprint to the attacker to close down space quickly, slowing down with short steps on arrival and turning side-on.
• Forcing play wide: Defenders should move back by pushing off the front foot, aiming to force the attacker outside and away from danger. They should also have their chest over their knees.
• Look for triggers: Triggers such as a bad touch can be used to commit to a tackle or try to get their body in between player and ball. The defender should use their arms to block the opponent off and gain an advantage.
• Defending 2v1: The single defender should delay the attacker as long as possible, and aim to dictate play away from goal while the second defender recovers into play. If engaging with the ball, the recovering defender should double up and engage from behind by approaching from the inside to force play outside.
• Defending 2v2: If the attacker from deep joins in with an overlapping run, the first defender should aim to delay the ball long enough that the recovering defender can engage from inside. The first defender should then track the runner on the outside. If the second attacker joins in with an underlapping run, the first defender should aim to delay the ball in order for the recovering defender to track the inside run. The first defender should then engage the player on the ball and try to force them outside and into a 1v1.