Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): UEFA B - Coach a team when to man mark

POP - SETUP

Organisation - Attacking team 3-4-2 / Defending team 4-4-1

Defending Principles

DELAY

Pressure on the ball –why,when,where, how?

Giving ground –why,when,where, how?

Pressure, cover, marking.

CONCENTRATION– (Compactness)

Distances – between players, units, from goal, from ball.

Relationships – angles, cover etc.

Movement – as a defending team.

DEPTH

Protecting the space behind the back line – how?

Distance from goal, of back line.

BALANCE

Supporting.

Defensive symmetry – marking opponents, marking/occupying

significant spaces at right time.

CONTROL/RESTRAINT

Personal defensive discipline – decision-making, defensive

actions, control of thoughts and actions.

Big Picture - Can you win it NO

Team - Can we win the ball ? Is there pressure on the ball ? NO

Drop - Deny the space in behind

Compactness as a team behind the ball to prevent penetration.

Check - Distances between players & Units

When ball is played into their Full back

Attacking Unit

- When the ball is played into Full back screen the pass back into their deepest player. Making their play more predictable & forcing them into an area we can look to win it back.

Midfield Unit

- Nearest winger to engage the ball & screen pass into their winger

- CM's match up their CM's ( Man Mark on nearest shoulder to the ball ) Looking to intercept or spoil thier play if they play inside.

- Opposite winger tucks in to provide Balance & Cover.

Defensive Unit

- Nearest full back ( if the pass into their winger is blocked off ) Mark space behind their winger incase a ball is played over the top & a manageable distance incase the ball does get played into his feet to engage the ball & delay their attack.

- Defensive unit covers & slides accross giving balance - covering key central areas by man marking any players there ( nearest shoulder to the ball, touch tight ready to intercept, spoil or delay)

- Opposite full back tucks in to provide Balance & Cover.

When the ball is played into their winger & can't be pressed

Defending Unit

- Nearest full back to recover & try to get back behind the ball blocking the route to goal.

- Defensive unit drops & slides accross giving balance - covering key central areas by man marking any players there ( nearest shoulder to the ball, touch tight ready to intercept, spoil or delay)

- CB's drop inside their goalposts trying to hold the line of the ball prepare to defend the cross,

- Opposite full back tucks in to provide Balance & Cover.

Midfield Unit

- Nearest winger to recover & put pressure on from the front in attempt to win the ball

- CM's to recover & get goalside of opposition CM's. Close the distance between them & defending unit.

- Opposite winger to tuck in with midfield unit staying slightly of the line the CMs hold.

Attacking unit

- Recover & be ready to try to pressure recycled balls back into their defenders or CM's.