Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending Breaking Lines OP8

Specific Practice (30 mins)

 

SET UP 

 

• 7v8 Defending Breaking Lines drill in a High press 

• Reds set up in a 1-4-3-0 down from a 4-3-3 with the target goal representing the reds front three 

• Blues set up in a 0-0-4-2-1 down from a 1-3-4-2-1

• 5 Channels corner of the 18 yard boxes and where the d meets the edge of the box
• reds try and build to shoot in the target goals 
• blues try and win the ball high and then score in the goal against the keeper. 
• Always starts with the red GK

BLOCK ONE - 10 mins

BLOCK TWO - 10 mins

CHECKING UNDERSTANDING - 10 mins

BLOCK ONE 

PROBLEM - Defending the first line of defence. While creating a midfield overload 

SOLUTION - The red wide CB plays into the keeper to start the practice. As the Keeper has the ball, the 9 and 10 stay close letting nothing through the middle as they force wide into a CB that's when the closest one goes to the ball the other cuts the pass back across into the middle of the pitch. As the wing back moves onto the full back and the opposite winger tucks in to create the box and a defensive overload in the middle of the pitch. 

 

BLOCK TWO

PROBLEM - Defending the first line of defence with a man to man press 

SOLUTION - Making sure that again when we press the front two stay narrow until the first pass from the keeper is made to the CB as the ball travels the wing backs go out and jump on the full backs and the supporting front men move to stop the switch through the keeper as the midfield three stays compact and man to man press against them. 

 

COACHING POINTS 

DIRECTING PLAY

 

• Players should attempt to angle their approach towards the player in possession to try and direct their next pass
• Players should attempt to put pressure on the ball quickly, force play wide and prevent the opposition from switching play.
• They should try and take advantage of any moment when an opponent puts their head down to look at the ball.

 

COVER

 

• The players who are not placing direct pressure on the opponent in possession should provide cover underneath the teammate pressing the ball.
• This will mean playing zonally to prevent passes through the centre of the team.
• There also needs to be depth to the defensive team, to prevent the opposition from being able to play split passes easily and transfer the ball to the opposite end.

 

LOCKING ON

 

• Once an in-possession player has their head down and is under pressure, the covering players can lock on to an opponent and go player-to-player.
• This allows them to put more pressure on each individual opponent, and increase the chances of winning the ball closer to goal.

 

FASTEST ROUTE TO GOAL

 

• After winning the ball back quickly after scoring the first goal, the attackers should be encouraged to take the fastest route to goal.
• Whether this is through running with the ball or passing, players should be quick with their actions to exploit the opposition being disorganised, attempting to get a shot off as quickly as possible.

 

RUTHLESS MENTALITY

 

• Players should be encouraged to be ruthless in front of goal.
• When they get a chance to shoot, they should pass the ball into the corners firmly.
• If they get what might be perceived as an easy chance, they should still strike the ball firmly to give the opposition goalkeeper as little chance as possible of saving their shot.