Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): General Session - Defend the overload

4v4+3 +2GK

Principle of play: Defend the overload - Understand when and how to deal with numerical advantages the opposition have

Organization:

Space: 40m x 30m

Time: 4x 4min sets with 2 min rest between each set

Explanation:

4v4 +3 neutrals with 2 GK. The red team playing out of the back needs to pass to one of the neutrals in the center area. The GK has to pass to a center back first and then the team utilizes the overload to progress to the central area with the common players. The common player that receives the ball drives the ball forward and joins the attack. The focus team blue defending need to deal with the overload both in the attacking third and defensive third.

Challenges, Conditions or Targets:

Targets: The targets are the goals. Team that gets scored the least amount wins

Conditions: 2 touches for teams in their own half and no more than 4 passes to reach one of the 3 common players. Focus team blue has 6 seconds to finish their attacks but their goals count double.

Challenges: 1) Coach challenges the defending team by pushing them to win the ball with high press.

2) Coach challenges defensive team in own half by allowing ball enter the forwards in attacking third from defensive third and one of the neutrals makes the run without the ball

Key Points:

Out of possession (focus team blue)

Angle and timing of the press

Compactness

Pressure, cover

Leave the furthest player

Protect the area in front of goal

In possession ( opposition team red - managed)

Make the pitch big

Quick passes and movement to exploit numerical advantage

Different types of runs: overlap, underlap, runs in behind, etc.